How to Find an Affordable Used Car
Just being here means you’re probably a wise and frugal consumer. But even wise consumers may not be experts when it comes to vehicles. It’s best to do some research before you visit a dealership. Keep the following tips in mind while you shop.
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
No offense. We’re just remembering the old saying. Simple cars cost less to maintain, in general. Think along the lines of a Toyota Corolla or a VW Jetta. These vehicles won’t cost you a fortune when you need new tires or wheels. Generally, smaller is cheaper in terms of sale price as well. This is also a good rule when you think about fuel efficiency, of course. Hybrid and electric engines improve the efficiency of small vehicles even more.
Consider the Following Models
According to Forbes, these models are extremely cheap to own. They’re in different categories. So, some are cheaper than others, overall. But your lifestyle may not be compatible with a tiny Spark, or example.
Chevrolet Spark
Toyota Corolla
Hyundai Veloster
Honda Accord
Chevrolet Impala
Buick Verano
Audi A5
Ford Mustang
Prius C
Chevy Spark EV
Mitsubishi Outlander
Ford Explorer
Toyota Tacoma
Dodge Grand Caravan
Stay Reliable
If you’re considering a vehicle that has accumulated more than 85,000 miles or so, you should think about the potential repairs and maintenance you’ll soon have to pay for. Things like tie rods and transmission fluid normally need to be replaced or checked at 65,000 miles and around 100,000 miles, respectively. The transmission itself, and the engine block, are things that should be healthy up to 170,000 miles, maybe more. Some makes are more reliable than others.
Consider Mazda, Toyota, Audi, Lexus or Subaru if you want to own a vehicle for the long run and avoid repair costs.
Compare Quotes
If you’re financing your vehicle, you’ll have to take your payments into account when estimating your expenses. Getting quotes and making dealers compete for your business could save you thousands of dollars.
Start by getting free quotes online. We offer them right here, for free! Click here to learn more.
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