A second-hand car is a great way to save money when purchasing a quality vehicle, but it’s important to visit a trusted used car dealership that can help you navigate the process and ensure the care you’re buying is safe, inspected, and being sold to you at a fair price.
If you’re looking for a trusted Evansville used car dealership, Edge Autosports is your top choice.
Getting Ready to Buy a Used Car
Before you head out on your used car shopping journey, it’s best to be prepared for your interactions with salespeople. Be sure to ask these questions when you visit any used car dealership.
What is the Mileage on the Odometer?
Mileage can give you a great idea of the car’s overall wear and tear and its depreciation value. The value of a used car is largely based on how many miles it has left in it.
Is the Car Experiencing Any Mechanical Issues?
Whether you’re at a used car dealership or shopping from a private seller, it’s important to ask this question. While a dealership is obligated to disclose issues to you, it may be more important to press a private seller with follow-up questions to ensure they remember any issues they may have forgotten.
Can I Test Drive the Car?
Test-driving the car should be non-negotiable. If you can’t take a car for a test drive, consider it an immediate red flag and look elsewhere for a vehicle you can get to know before you buy.
The Most Reliable Used Cars
1. Honda Civic
Before the fall of 1972, Honda was mostly known for producing quality motorcycles. However, with the August 1972 introduction of the Honda Civic, the company propelled itself into the standard compact car market. The Civic quickly became the brand’s flagship vehicle, and since its introduction, it’s undergone several facelifts and redesigns. Over the years, its appearance has become sportier while the vehicle itself remains efficient, comfortable, and reliable.
Depending on the year, mileage, and trim level, a used Honda Civic can range in price from around $5,000 for an early 2000s model to as much as $30,000 for a model that’s more recent.
2. Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has attracted customers of all ages since its debut, with various models being produced. The standard model provides comfort and reliability, while the AE86 Tureno is a cult icon well known within the auto racing and collecting circles. These days, Corollas can be found in abundance on the lots of used car dealerships as they’re known to live to see over a million miles when treated right.
A used Toyota Corolla can cost anywhere from $5,000 for an early 2000 model to $34,000 for the most recent top trim level models.
3. Ford Focus
Released to the European market in 1998 and the US market in 1999 as the successor to the Escort, the Ford Focus has proven itself reliable, fuel-efficient, and economical over the last 23 years.
Originally produced at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, the US version came with a few changes from its European counterpart. Debuting in 3 different body styles: a 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, and 5-door wagon, with a 5-door hatchback option to be added in 2001, the Ford Focus was a hit with young buyers seeking cheap basic transportation. After two generations, Ford halted the production of the Focus in 2007 in order to update the design while simultaneously reuniting the International and North American Markets. It returned in 2010 with a full redesign that took into account the limitations of elderly drivers, allowing Ford to push the focus to a wider market.
Depending on the year, mileage, and trim level, a used Ford Focus can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $18,000. With the lowest price tag on this list, the easy-to-find and efficient Ford Focus is sure to get drivers of all ages where they need to go.
4. Lexus LS-400
Debuting in 1989 as the flagship vehicle for Toyota’s brand new luxury division, Lexus, the LS-400 has withstood the test of time. Built without the use of any prior Toyota platforms or parts, the LS-400 was designed to surpass its rivals in targeted areas, including aerodynamics, cabin quietness, overall top speed, and fuel efficiency.
Exceeding expectations, the LS-400 won Car of the Year Japan at its introduction. 33 years later, this marvel of engineering is still one of the most sought-after used vehicles on the market, wanted by commuters seeking a luxurious ride and JDM enthusiasts seeking a reliable project alike. Now known as the LS-500, the flagship of the Lexus brand maintains the qualities that have kept customers coming back to Lexus for decades.
While the cost varies depending on various factors, a used Lexus LS can cost anywhere from $9,000 to $80,000, a price tag well worth the value and reliability synonymous with the Toyota/Lexus brands.
5. Subaru Outback
Originally known as Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru is best known for its boxer engine configuration and symmetrical all-wheel drive drive-trains. Built off the second-generation Legacy wagon platform, the Outback was first introduced in 1994 as the Legacy Grand Wagon in Japan and the Legacy Outback in the majority of other markets. By the 1997 New York Auto Show, Subaru dropped all donor names and the Outback and Outback Sport we know today were born.
The Outback combines Subaru’s famous boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive drive-train with rugged plastic protective cladding over the body, a raised roof, and raised suspension for additional ground clearance. Rugged, reliable, and safe, the Outback is perfect for anyone looking for their next adventure.
Depending on the year, mileage, and trim level, a used Subaru Outback can cost anywhere from $5,000 for older models to $40,000 for a newer top-trim model. As a frequent IHS Top Safety Pick, a Subaru is sure to keep you and your family safe for years to come.
Evansville’s Trusted Used Car Dealership
There are thousands of different models to choose from when it comes to purchasing a used car, and knowing what you’re looking for is half the battle. We hope this list has helped point you in the direction of a vehicle that will fit your needs and get you back on the road.
Visit us in Evansville or contact us to learn more about our used cars for sale and get yourself in a new-to-you vehicle today.
