Are you planning your next vehicle purchase?
Thinking about a used car?
Here are three approaches, and multiple vehicles, to consider, recommended within recent articles in the automotive press.
Finding quality, value in the used car market
Depreciation is something that often works in a buyer’s favor when purchasing a used car.
But while someone else may have born the brunt of a vehicle’s loss in value, how do you still find good quality?
Personal finance website Kiplinger.com has put together a list of eight vehicles that satisfy these conditions and offer “hidden value” in the used car market.
“You have to be willing to look past the blue-chip brands in each class of cars – usually the Toyotas, Hondas and Subarus – to the unsung and overlooked Fords, Chevys and Hyundais,” writes David Muhlbaum. “American and Korean brands are turning out some high quality vehicles lately that have slipped under the radar of the used car market.”
The list, which features the likes of the subcompact Kia Soul and Ford Escape crossover, focuses on two-year-old vehicles “representing a ‘sweet spot’ on the depreciation curve.”
See the recommended vehicles at Kiplinger.com.
Why it’s worth considering a used electric car
New electric cars are extending both their range and their appeal to car buyers but, if you’re thinking about an EV, don’t forget about used models.
While the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3 can run well beyond 200 miles on a single charge, there’s still a case for buying an older electric car with a range under a 100 miles, according to Forbes’ Jim Gorzelany.
And such a vehicle could comfortably cover the average 30-mile-round-trip commute, or make a great second or third car for a family, he suggests.
There are a number of reasons preowned EVs can be a good option, like being “dirt cheap” to buy. A 2015 Nissan Leaf with 30,000 miles on the clock, that cost $29,000 new, now has an average retail asking price of just $10,250, according to NADA Guides. By comparison, a conventionally powered 2015 Toyota Corolla that had a base price of $17,000 is available for $12,375.
Read more about the buying a used EV at Forbes.com.
Best luxury used cars under $30,000 – U.S. News
If a new luxury car is out of reach, buying used may be one way to put those creature comforts and high levels of performance within range.
U.S. News and World Report has compiled eight options that score highly in its ratings for performance, interior, cost to own, safety and reliability, and all come in with an average price below $30,000.
They include the 2011 Cadillac Escalade, “one of the most reliable used vehicles you can buy,” that seats up to eight in standard leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control.
If a sedan is more your style, think about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class which, when new, “was one of the most luxurious vehicles you could buy.” The flagship sedan “has many features found on more modern vehicles, including safety technology and a navigation system. Leather upholstery and the Mercedes COMAND infotainment system come standard.”
See the used-luxury-car recommendations at Cars.usnews.com.
Written by:
With 10 years of experience in auto finance, Rob Looker helps car shoppers find the right vehicles with the right financing so they can enjoy the road ahead. When he’s not creating content, he’s often behind the wheel, exploring new…
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