The used car market right now isn’t as inviting as it used to be a decade ago, thanks to a series of unfortunate events that started after the global pandemic. The new car market, on the other hand, is worse – thanks to inflation.
The average price of a new car is fast approaching $50,000, and you’ll hardly find a brand-new car going for under $15,000 anymore.
Still, money-conscious car buyers can save a ton of money on a used car while enjoying the same reliability, performance, and good fuel economy you’d get on a brand-new unit. The following are 24 cars that are better bought used than new.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is the best choice of a car bought used for its second and even third owners. Here’s why. This mid-sized sedan offers a comfortable, roomy cabin, good fuel economy, and reliability. The Camry combines top-quality manufacturing and good styling in almost every version they’ve produced. Thanks to its reliability, the Camry is in demand and retains its value well in the used car market. Camry owners rarely splurge at the local mechanic servicing repairs – its longevity in the car market remains unmatched.
Nissan Altima
Like its Japanese cousin, the Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima easily makes a top pick for offering a balance between affordability, functionality, and practicality. For a reliable car with a budget-friendly price tag, the Altima has quite a stunning exterior. But there’s more. The Nissan Altima has a performance-happy 2.5-liter engine (good for 182 hp) and will put a smile on your face in case you have a heavy foot.
Toyota Corolla
You can go anywhere in the world and still find a Toyota Corolla. It’s everything a used-car buyer wants, offering reliability, practicality, and efficiency. Buyers can choose between a four-door sedan and a hatchback. Both offer enough cargo space and room for four passengers. This ultra-reliable Japanese car is known for its low-cost maintenance, longevity, and affordable price. The Toyota Corolla makes a great first car for new drivers and teens.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is America’s favorite car. You’ll spot it in traffic, at your apartment complex, at the school drop-off and pick-up spot, or at the convenience store – which says a lot about its popularity. Like the Corolla, the Honda Civic makes a great daily driver. It’s dependable and reliable, and there are a ton of variants to pick, including a coupe, sedan, and even a hybrid option. Unlike the Camry, you’ll be spoilt for choice on which one to get on the used car market. PS: there’s always an older Honda Civic for sale.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord, like the Civic, is an American darling. The love affair is etched in history. The Accord was the first Japanese car produced in America. It was America’s best-selling car between 1989 and 1991 and again from 2013 to 2015. You’ll get it as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe body style. Simply put, the Accord is the perfect balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra, like other basic non-luxury vehicles on this list, offers great reliability, fuel economy, and practicality while compromising on comfort and driving experience. You’ll find a good number of units on the used car market retailing for under $20,000, thanks to a high depreciation. Used car market experts advise getting models with extra features (optional) for better value.
Hyundai Sonata
They say cheap is expensive. But sometimes cheap in the used car market can mean steep depreciation and not a lemon. If you are looking for a good, cheap, used vehicle, thanks to its steep depreciation, the Hyundai Sonata is a great buy. That might sound like a bad thing, but the Hyundai Sonata gets a great mile warranty (up to 60,000 miles). That means you will likely get a unit in the used car market that’s still on warranty. Still, it’s important to note that you will likely lose out on car aesthetics because the Hyundai Sonata is not a luxury car.
Toyota Prius
As the world becomes more environmentally aware, it’s important to note the Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced eco-friendly car in the world. It was also America’s first factory-assembled hybrid car – and that alone has given it a huge following. When it premiered, it failed to impress at any level apart from its revolutionary fuel economy. It’s the perfect dull to daring story. Today, the Prius might not be fast, but it’s impressively sleek and comfortable and still offers great fuel economy.
Nissan Leaf
The average price of an electric car in the United States in 2024 is close to $72,000. What you might not know is that it is possible to get a used Nissan Leaf for less than $10,000 – which is a huge bargain. Other than being relatively cheap, the Nissan Leaf is reliable and easy to maintain. Still, it’s not the best electric car to buy if your daily commute is more than 70 miles. Also, the batteries on a Nissan Leaf, like any other electric car, degrade with age.
BMW i3
BMW is known worldwide for its appealing design, power, and luxury features. The BMW i3 is none of that. It’s an electric car with a Lego-block design – and one of the best city commuter cars out there. Don’t get me wrong – the BMW i3 offers exceptional driving dynamics. It also features up-to-date tech, combining spirited driving, sustainability, lightweight structure (carbon fiber), and efficiency. The BMW i3 won’t offer low-cost repair and maintenance as a Civic – but it’s still one of the best used electric vehicles under $20,000.
BMW 2 Series
Luxury cars aren’t cheap to own or maintain, but the BMW 2 Series luxury coupe has proven to be a fairly reliable luxury car thanks to owner reviews. Even though it is without faults, over the years, owners have reported little issues that are fixable under warranty. The BMW 2 Series offers good value, a decent luxury interior, and a rewarding driving experience.
Kia Rio
What makes a great used car? For most buyers in the used car market, it’s a car that has a low retail value but has a proven record of reliability years after it left the assembly line. One of those cars, ladies and gentlemen, is the Kia Rio. Due to its tiny structure, this sub-compact vehicle is perfect for cruising and maneuvering through busy city roads (without compromising fuel economy). The 2005 and 2017 Kia Rio model years are best rated for reliability and longevity. The 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2014, on the other hand, are marked as model years to avoid
Toyota Sienna
Before everyone went bonkers with the SUV in America, minivans like the Toyota Sienna ruled the grocery store and soccer practice parking lot scene. Let’s face it. Minivans are perfect family carts to date. The Toyota Sienna will take a beating, hurling kids to and fro school for years, going for soccer practice, and hurling weekly groceries – and still look fresh for a second and even third owner. That, plus Toyota’s guaranteed reliability, makes the Sienna a top choice for a used minivan. It’s possible to get a good-running used Sienna for as little as $5,000 in the used car market.
Honda Odyssey
Minivans get a lot of hate from younger car buyers, but at the end of the day, we can’t live without them. They make the perfect family hauler. Honda has proven to be an affordable and safe car manufacturer in America, and between 2012 and 2015, the Honda Odyssey minivan scooped IIHS Top Safety Pick. With the Odyssey, used car buyers can enjoy comfort (seating for eight), safety, and good, old, reliable Honda craftsmanship (3.6-liter V6). Top-of-the-line versions of the Honda Odyssey have great features, some capable of cleaning up after your kids (onboard vacuum).
Ford Focus
Most car lovers will remember the Ford Focus for its more aggressive sibling – the Ford Focus RS. Unfortunately, that sibling doesn’t strive on the same streets as the base model Ford Focus. But where the Ford Focus lacks performance on the streets, it gains with affordability, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Its design simplicity means replacement parts are widely available and easy to source. The 2008 to 2011 were produced in plenty and are an ideal purchase for budget used car buyers with less than $5,000.
Honda Fit
Like its sub-compact competition, the Kia Rio, the Honda Fit gets many points for being affordable, reliable, and economical. The later models are easy on the eyes and come with cool, funky designs. Better yet, it doesn’t have a fast depreciation like the Hyundai Sonata. The Fit is known to hold on to its value. Don’t let its tiny structure fool you – the Honda Fit has a roomy interior, making it an ideal choice for small families.
Volkswagen Golf
Like most of its European relatives, the Volkswagen Golf has aged gracefully. Its older models are still a hit in the used car market thanks to its funky, timeless design. There are several trims, but the base model 1.8-liter, 170 hp variant gets the most props in the used car market for being affordable, reliable, and economical. It’s possible to get 2014 to 2017 models (SE Trim) going for a little under $20,000 with leather seats, sunroof, and modern tech, among other cool features.
Kia Soul
If you don’t want to go all crazy with an SUV, a crossover SUV is an ideal pick. A popular model among car thrifters in the used car market is the Kia Soul. You’ll get a bit more cargo space than its smaller sibling, the Elantra, and like other newer models from the marque – a stylish design. The Kia Soul gets more props for having enhanced safety, low maintenance costs, and longevity.
Honda CR-V
Hondas change hands, and in the used SUV car market, a well-taken-care Honda CR-V is as good as gold. Its fifth generation gets all the good rep thanks to more cargo space, a roomier interior, efficiency, versatility, and, most importantly – better safety and security features. Go for the turbo-charged 1.5-liter. It’s more efficient than the 2-liter variant and peppier behind the wheel. It’s possible to get a great-running Honda CR-V for less than $20,000.
Subaru Outback
In case you are looking for a rugged outdoor car that won’t hurt your pocket – the Subaru Outback easily comes as a top choice. It’s been one of America’s top-rated adventure wagons since 1989. You’ll get the older versions for nearly nothing on the used car market, and what’s best is that they offer roomy interiors, large cargo spaces, and Subaru’s popular all-wheel-drive functionality. The Outback is an extremely reliable adventure wagon bagging top safety awards for the fourth and fifth generations.
Volvo XC90
You are bound to compromise something when looking for a luxury car in the used car market. If part of the things you want to overlook include resale value while gaining industry-credited safety, a top-quality build, luxury features, and an overall sleek design, the Volvo XC90 is a perfect option. You’ll pay a little bit more on maintenance than a regular Camry, but you’ll sleep better at night knowing your car is safer, comfortable, and comes from a manufacturer with the least number of recalls in the car market.
Toyota 4Runner
The Subaru Outback is a great choice for an affordable sports utility vehicle. However, if you are looking for something more conventional and rugged, with a little more power and versatility, the Toyota 4Runner might be the best bang for your buck. Think high ride height, 4-liter V6 niceness, and prices under $25,000 for a neatly cared-for unit. Since the Toyota 4Runner is a proper SUV, brace yourself for SUV-type fuel economy.
Mazda Miata
It’s hard to get a car in the used car market that appeals to your eyes and fails to steal from your pocket. The Mazda Miata easily does both. This tiny convertible luxury sports car has been a constant presence in the automotive market since it debuted. It’s an affordable driver’s car. Therefore, it’s all about exploring the limits while remaining as simple as possible. If you are pressed to buy this car, forget about a roomy cabin and think about conquering the mountain passes over the weekend.
Ford Mustang
It’s hard to place affordability and performance in one sentence – but you can easily squeeze reliability. The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular muscle cars in America and the world, and therefore, owners will always enjoy its ease of repair and availability of spares. Add a cultic following, and it’ll be hard to shake off the feeling to get one of these used. The Ford Mustang’s depreciation dips fast after the first year – a good thing for a thrifty buyer. Still, it’s not the type of car to get if you are going to be frugal.