Best used car?
Posted by Helfdan3@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 44 comments
Hey all, currently looking for a good used car and I’m not sure what brands are best and what’s not. A lot of cars I see now used are running 75k-150k miles and being in the military I really just need it for point A to point B kinda thing. Any help or tips I’m grateful for and thank you for your time to reply.
Angry_beaver_1867@reddit
You could get a Honda civic. Find one that suits your budget.
Good mileage , reasonably safe , reliable
If you want a bigger car Honda accord or Camery.
SUV ? RAV4 or CRV
LowShort27@reddit
Acura RDXs going for almost the same prices as the CRVs where I’m from. Aim for the 2nd gen RDX from 2013-18 I think? Has the bullet proof V6 that is used in the accords. Bought a 2017 with 127k miles for 12k. Love this car. Will easily last me 300-400k miles and plan on keeping it until it breaks
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Hey thank you for the quick reply I appreciate the help very much!
Angry_beaver_1867@reddit
A civic SI is a pretty sporty car with a stick. Good entry level enthusiasts vehicle of the cars I listed.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
I’m not proud to say, but I never properly learned how to drive a stick :(
ShameDear1863@reddit
Me either, but I’m definitely wanting to learn very soon 🫡
Clear_Palpitation503@reddit
Looking into early 2000’s car. I’m looking at Lexus, and Acura, but anyone have opinions on Volvo’s or Infiniti?
modidhaval@reddit
Which brand used car to buy
TheKiddIncident@reddit
If all you care about is basic transportation, Consumer Reports is your friend. They won't pick cars that look good or are flashy, but they are very methodical and will give you the facts:
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-used-cars-by-price-a1306944688/
Sorry, it's behind a paywall, but if you're buying cars/appliances/etc. it may be a good investment.
You didn't say what kind of car, but if I was buying a used car at the moment I would probably go for a smaller used Toyota SUV. Very reliable, tons of them on the road, easy to get parts, etc..
Another great source is Kelly:
https://www.kbb.com/toyota/rav4/2021/
It will tell you the "fair" price for any used car. That doesn't mean that's the price you will pay, but it gives you an objective standard for about how much you should be paying. I always look up the KBB for any car before I even look at it.
Of course, for a used car I would also recommend CARFAX:
https://www.carfax.com/
Before you go look at any car, get the VIN, check the CARFAX. Make sure you know all about it before you look at it. Again, not free but probably worth if if you are considering a 20-30K investment in a used car. This has saved me a couple of times from buying cars that had been in wrecks.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Thank you for all the helpful links and resources I will definitely use this!
Diligent_Bobcat7319@reddit
Archive.is to unpaywall
Vivid_Werewolf_7091@reddit
Get a 2015 Prius and call it a day
InternLongjumping815@reddit
Maybe he's not gay
EfficientCoach7759@reddit
Why the 2015 build year? Is that one specifically better?
Fogbot3@reddit
Just to chip in to bring up a post calling out the newest generation of Chevy Malibu as one of the best cheap used cars you can get-
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/1iyxlm0/the_9th_generation_malibu_20162024_deserves/
Hondas, Toyotas, and Mazdas will be the best for sure and you might be able to snag a deal, but in general to deprecate insanely little for their age and milage so you have to be stupidly lucky for a used one to be worth(but like you can be lucky so look for one).
Then another than those your next best bet is easily the Malibu to get the best bang for your buck without having to be a car expert to not get screwed by a car with some major issue.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the great information!
Fogbot3@reddit
No problem, don't mean to be linking my own comment, but I also expand in my own comment on that thread in case you wanted some more info, since I was actually typing it up to make as a post on this sub when that guy made his thread on /r/cars :
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/1iyxlm0/the_9th_generation_malibu_20162024_deserves/meytmpy/
rtr0025@reddit
What do you mean not having the immobilizer? What’s that
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
No worries I’ll take all the help and helpful information I can get so thank you!
stacksmasher@reddit
Honda Civic.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Any years I should look for specifically?
stacksmasher@reddit
I think all of them are solid.
Prestigious-One2089@reddit
Any that have a verifiable routine maintenance performed throughout their life. Short of that you're gambling sure some makes and models have better odds but still a gamble.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Like certified dealership type or something else?
Prestigious-One2089@reddit
That would be good. Or a lease return. Any car that you can tell to a degree of certainty was maintained properly.
Frird2008@reddit
Toyota 4Runner & Lexus GX. Those things will survive literal war & be some of the only vehicles to not get stuck 🤣
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
I will definitely look into those, thank you!
AngryApeMetalDrummer@reddit
A quick Google search will tell you empirically what the most reliable cars are. If you want opinions not based on facts, then keep asking reddit.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Sure, but one thing I’ve learned is sometimes people who have the knowledge about things can give more detailed information to someone who isn’t sure what they are looking at sometimes. Sure they won’t always be 100% correct but it is what it is man.
AngryApeMetalDrummer@reddit
I've owned a lot of vehicles in 48 years. Toyota, trucks/suvs,, and Chevy vans have been the most reliable. I was fleet manager for a courier company. The Chevy vans out lasted everything. Some of them got over 300k miles with only basic maintenance. Pretty much any Toyota is a solid choice as long as the previous owner didn't abuse it too badly.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the helpful information! I’ll definitely look into same Chevy vans, recommend any specific years?
AngryApeMetalDrummer@reddit
I would avoid some of the newest models, there were some recalls. 2000- 2020 are probably OK. But research it! For any vehicle, look up recalls. All manufacturers have recalls at some point. Definitely search the info before you buy anything .
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Thank you very much!
SRTbobby@reddit
Obviously you need a Challenger Hellcat....jk a focus ST, Civic SI, even a WRX would be a reasonable used car
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
I wish I could afford a challenger. Pre 2024 of course but alas not in the books and I don’t feel like being that far in debt but definitely will look into the civic or wrx. Thank you!
SRTbobby@reddit
Absolutely! If you do love Challengers you could probably get a V6 reasonably cheap. They are reliable motors and enough power for most. WRX isn't bad but I'd personally go Civic above it. Can also get the Civic Sport in manual, just not as fast or sporty as si.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately I never properly learned how to drive a manual sadly enough so that only leaves the automatics.
SRTbobby@reddit
Honestly, if you want to learn a manual there is no better way to learn than by buying one. I bought a 2011 Civic si before I ever learned how to drive stick. Spent about 10 minutes being taught, and then was on my own.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
You know what, you are 100% correct on that.
SRTbobby@reddit
If your only means of transportation is a manual, you'll learn. Skys the limit my friend. I'm a Mopar guy first but a Honda guy second. Civics are awesome cars
J-Rag-@reddit
Depends on how used you wanna go. My daily is an 05 VW Passat TDI that I bought not quite 2 years ago. Had about 195k on it and now sits at about 208k.
The lady drives an 01 Honda CRV that has about 197k on it.
Both are great cars. You can never go wrong with older an older Honda or Toyota. VWs have treated me good over the years cause I take care of them. Older American sedans aren't bad. Pretty basic and still reliable. It's kinda hard to make a wrong choice in early 00s cars as long as you avoid Kia/Hyundai and high mileage German cars. They'll be needing paychecks worth of maintenance.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Definitely avoiding the high mileage BMW’s as that seems to be what’s be sold in large quantities in the area I am in.
J-Rag-@reddit
Don't get me wrong, those older 2.5 and 3.0 inline 6's on the BMW's are reliable engines for sure. Maintenance is just expensive when something happens, and it'll be a lot more likely to happen on older vehicles. 99% of the time you'll be repairing it more than say an older 4 banger Honda.
Helfdan3@reddit (OP)
True, but most of the ones I’ve seen have been 2000 or newer