Whats A Good Used Car To Buy

The Toyota Corolla has been for years and remains one of the best selling cars in the country. Affordable, with a base MSRP of $19,620 for a 2019 model, and reliable, Corolla make great used cars thanks to the relative low price of a pre-owned vehicle and thanks to the fact that they require so little maintenance, costing owners less than just about any other car out there for service and repairs.

whats a good used car to buy

DeLorenzo said that a warranty from VW "has six years (and) 72,000 miles," making these great used cars in terms of extended coverage. A new Volkswagen Jetta costs $18,745 today, while a 2016 Jetta can be had for less than $12,000. And US News gave the 2016 Jetta a nine out of 10 score for Total Cost of Ownership.

And as DeLorenzo explains, "If you're an urban dweller and have access to a garage with a plug, you might also check out a used EV. The prices are really low, and while many of them have less than 100-mile ranges, if you just need a town car, it's a perfect option."

Because mileage can be misleading, there is no definitive answer on how many miles on a car is too much. That said, based on the 12,000 miles per year rule, you can get a general idea of what type of mileage to expect on a used vehicle. If a car has accumulated far more than 12,000 miles per year, you may want to consider a different vehicle.

At CARFAX, we collect events from the lives of millions of used cars from 20 European countries, as well as the USA and Canada. We can then create a vehicle history for every car in our database and make it available to you.The information helps you to check sales data, avoid expensive follow-up costs and negotiate a fair purchase price.

On the flip side, the risks involved with purchasing a used car are increased with every prior owner. An incomplete service book for a vehicle with numerous previous owners may indicate a hidden problem with the car.

If you and your family can afford to buy a new car for your teen, look for a vehicle with all of these features. If you are looking at a used car, you may not find all of them. The newer the car, the better your chances. We highly recommend you research a car at Kelley Blue Book before buying to see if these features are available. If they are available, they may not come standard, which may mean shopping for a mid- or upper trim level.

If you began shopping for a car, you may be keenly aware that new and used car inventories look ridiculously tight. The semiconductor chip shortage, supply-chain disruptions, and other factors have hamstrung car manufacturers, reducing production and strangling inventories.

A perennial favorite among compact SUVs, the Honda CR-V is one of the models that started the segment. The CR-V has sharp styling, comfortable seating for five, and boasts good cargo space and fuel efficiency. The 2015 CR-V is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Find a used Honda CR-V

If you want a sporty compact SUV that can also accommodate your family and their gear, the Mazda CX-5 may be the perfect fit. The CX-5 rides and handles like a car. It also offers excellent fuel economy and plenty of advanced safety features and is a TSP+ vehicle. If you find a Touring, you will benefit from a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. Find a used Mazda CX-5

The reliable Toyota Corolla comes standard with a wide range of advanced safety features, including antilock brakes, stability and traction control, and brake assist. Look for this Top Safety Pick in LE-or-higher trim to get cruise control. The Corolla is comfortable and easy to drive, and you may be surprised by how roomy the rear seats are. Find a used Toyota Corolla

The Honda Civic is available in a variety of body styles with a choice of engines and transmissions. Better yet, Civics are known for safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. The Civic is a TSP that comes standard with ABS, a rearview camera, stability control, brake assist, and more. Find a used Honda Civic

The comfortable 2009 Toyota RAV4 is available as a 5- or 7-passenger compact SUV, and you can get a frugal 4-cylinder engine or a powerful V6. This generation RAV came standard with a rearview camera that uses a monitor in the rearview mirror. It also had traction control and enhanced stability control, and its ABS used electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Find a used Toyota RAV4

Based on the same platform as the CR-V, the Honda Element pairs an easy-to-reconfigure, weather-resistant interior with unique styling. A Top Safety Pick, the 2011 Element came standard with ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, stability and traction control, and tire-pressure monitoring. Find a used Honda Element

With a reputation for great reliability, fuel economy (with an average of 29 mpg), and resale value, the Toyota Corolla tips the scales like few others. Parts are plentiful, as are the technicians who know how to fix them. This Corolla scored well in IIHS and NHTSA tests. Shop for an LE to get all available safety features, including additional airbags. Find a used Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Highlander is one of the most popular crossover SUVs on the market. It embodies the handling and safety of a car while providing the interior room and versatility of a big SUV. The Highlander offers a good balance between people and cargo space. Despite the older age of this model, its excellent long-term service history makes it a worthy investment. This generation Highlander performed well in IIHS and NHTSA testing. Find a used Toyota Highlander.

Our recommendations include two tiers of used vehicles, Best Choices and slightly more affordable Good Choices. Starting prices for recommended used models range from about $6,000 to nearly $20,000. A separate list of new vehicles for teens offers an even higher level of safety.

Remember to check for recalls! Use the vehicle identification number or license plate to check for outstanding recalls before buying a used vehicle. To receive future recall notices, notify the manufacturer of your purchase. NHTSA also advises vehicle owners to check its database for new recalls every six months or so.

Many financial experts will tell you that buying an inexpensive used car and keeping it for years is one of the savviest things you can do to minimize the cost of car ownership. But if you pick the wrong vehicle or place to buy, that "cheap" car could cost you thousands in repairs or finance costs.

In 2022, however, there may not be many "cheap" cars to speak of. As of this writing, we're facing a shortage of used cars, which has caused their market value to spike to record highs. This makes choosing the right used-car retailer even more critical, as a mistake has never been costlier. You may also need to expand your search further to find a car online or at a brick-and-mortar car dealer.

Remember that you may find used cars for sale that are under recall and not yet repaired: It's not illegal for sellers to offer such cars. Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall site so you'll know whether you're about to buy a car that you'll then need to take in for the free recall repair.

Use this list as a quick reference guide to point you toward the best place to buy a used car. Each used-car retailer has advantages and disadvantages, so depending on your priority (price? selection? warranty?), several outlets may fit your needs.

Buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) car is a convenient way to find a used car, SUV or truck in excellent condition. CPO vehicles, which are sold from dealerships of the same brand, go through extensive inspections and are reconditioned with factory parts. They also come with the best warranties. General Motors, for example, offers a one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on all of its CPO cars. Our certified program comparison tool can help you see the differences in coverage. But just because they come with warranties doesn't mean they are exactly like new cars. Read "Certified Pre-Owned Cars: A Reality Check" to see what expectations you should have for a CPO car.

The coverage and convenience of a CPO car come at a price. CPO cars are typically the most expensive used-car option. Edmunds data indicates that consumers will pay on average a 6% to 8% premium for a 3-year-old CPO vehicle. One alternative might be to find a car from a private seller that is new enough to still be under warranty.

The remaining used-car inventory falls under this category. These cars don't typically get the same attention that a CPO car would receive but are still given a reasonable inspection. Any major issues are usually fixed before the car is put up for sale. Since dealerships accept trade-ins on a daily basis, you'll have an easy time finding these used cars at a dealer. Most dealership websites should include a link to a free Carfax or AutoCheck report, so make sure to take advantage of that and learn about the vehicle's history.

An independent dealership isn't associated with any particular automaker. The used-car selection can vary wildly, depending on whether you're shopping at a corner lot or a full-size dealership with a service department. Since the quality can also vary from one place to another, we recommend you run Google and Yelp searches and see what kind of reviews that dealer has. The Better Business Bureau is also a good resource.

Independent dealerships are useful if you're trying to find a really inexpensive used car. If you have poor credit, you'll have a good chance of getting a vehicle financed at these dealerships. It is worth noting that interest rates at independent dealers may not be as favorable as rates found at larger stores. 041b061a72