So sooner have you started searching for car prices on the Internet, your head will be spinning with competitive car prices and promises of prompt delivery, dedicated customer service response, and huge discounts. Are all of those promises and claims to be believed? Your guess is as good as mine,
Purchasing a used car can be a difficult process. There are so many options, each with a multitude of features. It’s hard to know which one is the best.
In this article I will cover the top autos to purchase when not buying new. I buy and sell used vehicles so selecting the right auto is key for me and my business. I have my preferred list which I will share with you.
When purchasing I ignore certain things that may make a few of you upset. I do not look at the country where the car was manufactured. I live in the United States and love living here but unfortunately I cannot just pick American made vehicles. Sure we have some great autos in the USA but at this moment in time, my top choice is made in Japan.
Toyota Camry:
This is my best used car, my top choice. It is very dependable, fuel efficient and has a comfortable interior. It is readily available because it has been the best selling new auto in the United States for nine of the last 10 years. it handles great and gives you ample storage in the trunk. The Camry looks like a higher end vehicle with the heart of a work horse. You can rest assured on the dependability of the vehicle and also on it’s resale value. The Toyota Camry gives you a mid-sized vehicle with the fuel efficiency of a more compact one.
Honda Civic:
In today’s world fuel efficiency is something that has to be considered. The Honda Civic provides plenty of efficiency as a compact vehicle. The Civic was redesigned in 2001, reintroduced in it;s hybrid mode in 2003 and then redesigned again in 2006. Great improvements were made with each redesign of the vehicle. The exterior looks sharper and the handling has improved dramatically from the 1990’s models.
Honda Accord:
Another Honda! The Accord is another great mid-sized vehicle to consider. It is not as fuel efficient as the Camry but it has a more sporty feel when driving for those who prefer a faster more agile vehicle. Improvements were made to this model in 2003, making it a smoother ride, less noisy and as stated above more agile. This car is know for its reliability and dependability.
Nissan Altima:
The Japanese theme continues. Fourth place was a toss up between the Altima and Corolla. I prefer mid-sized vehicles but if you prefer compact sedans then you may want to go with a Corolla. I absolutely love the Nissan Altima. When it was first introduced it was a compact car which now has evolved into a mid-sized sedan. You can get this car in a 4 or 5 cylinder model with a 2.5 or 3.5 engine. You can count on this cars reliability; my previous Altima had 140,000 miles and drove like new. The inside is comfortable and spacious especially when purchasing models 2003 or higher.
Toyota Corolla:
Same as other compact cars, the Corolla provides fuel efficiency and a smooth ride. This is another dependable vehicle with high demand in the used car market. A safe choice if you want a good car, good value and good resale.
It is important for me to select reliable cars with great resale value. I purchase and sell vehicles and these 5 choices will give you the best bang for your dollar in my opinion.
Hope you enjoyed my article on the best used cars to buy and resell.
Getting ready to purchase a used car? We are going to cover a few things to avoid before purchasing and also vehicles to stay away from.
As with anything you purchase, experiences with likes and dislikes vary. But the cars listed within this article have a history of bad performance. The study which was done by Consumer Reports reviewed vehicles from 1999 to 2008 and rated the vehicles on performance and dependability.
First things first, when purchasing a vehicle which isn’t new, common sense has to come into play. If you hear funny sounds coming from the engine, maybe this might not be the auto for you. I know it sounds obvious but people are taking for fools every day at dealer lots throughout the United States.
Do not be fooled by looks, a vehicle may look great on the outside but the engine is what matters most. Sometimes people fall in love with the exterior and interiors of a vehicle and completely ignore the meat and potatoes of the auto which is the engine. As a kid I fell for that by purchasing a sporty suped up Z-24 (better known as a Chevy Cavalier), it looked great. The paint was perfect, nice rims and wheels, spoiler kit and awesome stereo system plus a nice interior with a custom steering wheel. I had to have this car, I was a teenager with limited cash and this car had what I wanted; great looks and it was priced right! Guess what? I ended up paying for a lot for mechanical work, including a new engine . It was a horrible experience, on the other hand I owned an old Monte Carlo which ran great but was brown and rusting. I remember always driving alone cause the car was so ugly my friends rather walk to school then catch a ride with me. Luckily you can find a vehicle in-between my Z-24 and my old Monte Carlo, good looks and a great engine.
Stay away from vehicles with salvage titles, if the insurance company decided it was not worth fixing then you should not find the vehicle worth buying. When I am purchasing a vehicle for resale from a private owner or lot I always look at the ground to check for oil leaks, if there is a puddle or stain where the auto is usually parked then you should move on to the next choice. These are just a few of things to look for, like is aid previously common sense should kick when you are viewing, inspecting and test driving the vehicle. If the seller is quick to drop the price after you pointed something out, that means he realizes you are onto a serious issue with the vehicle which can prevent the sale. Don’t let he or she sweet talk you, go with your gut.
Here is the list of Used Cars to Avoid (listed in alphabetical order):
Audi A6 Allroad
Audi A8
BMW X5 (V8)
Buick Rendezvous (AWD)
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Blazer
Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
Chevrolet S-10 (4WD)
Chevrolet Uplander
Chevrolet Venture
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Sebring convertible
Chrysler Town and Country (AWD)
Dodge Grand Caravan (AWD)
GMC Canyon (4WD)
GMC Jimmy
GMC S-15 Sonoma (4WD) Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sedona
Land Rover Discovery, LR3
Mazda RX-8
Oldsmobile Bravada
Oldsmobile Silhouette
Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac G6 (V6)
Pontiac Montana, Montana SV6
Porsche Cayenne
Saturn Relay
Volkswagen Cabrio
Volkswagen Jetta (V6)
Volkswagen New Beetle (turbo)
Volkswagen Passat (V6, FWD)
Volkswagen Touareg
Volvo XC90 (6-cyl.)