Used vehicles give you the best bang for your buck, according to money expert Clark Howard. That’s why he wants you to take your time when selecting a make and model.
A recent report from vehicle research site iSeeCars shows car shoppers the best used cars for the money.
iSeeCars analyzed more than 1.1 million 10- and five-year-old models from September to December 2023 and compared them to the estimated remaining lifespan of those vehicles.
What Are the Best Used Cars for the Money?
Here are some key findings from the report:
- The Chevrolet Trax comes in #1 among five-year-old used cars, with an average price of $17,274.
- The Toyota Avalon is the top brand among 10-year-old used cars. Toyota has seven models in the top 20 list.
- When it comes to five-year-old used cars, Honda dominates the list with five vehicles in the top 10 and seven overall.
Let’s take a look at the best 10-year-old cars for the money, according to iSeeCars. Along with the average prices, the list includes the remaining and potential lifespan of the used cars.
Best 10-Year-Old Used Cars for the Money
| Model | Average Price | Remaining Lifespan (Miles) | Remaining Lifespan (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Avalon | $16,986 | 124,119 | 52.7% |
| Honda CR-V | $15,726 | 110,976 | 49.0% |
| Honda Accord | $15,069 | 105,602 | 46.8% |
| Mazda CX-9 | $12,796 | 88,035 | 42.1% |
| Lincoln MKX | $14,999 | 101,295 | 46.5% |
| Lexus GS 350 | $20,474 | 135,277 | 56.3% |
| Toyota Prius C | $13,065 | 84,882 | 43.7% |
| Buick Encore | $12,784 | 82,471 | 44.7% |
| Honda Ridgeline | $20,257 | 127,038 | 49.6% |
| Lexus CT 200h | $16,390 | 100,997 | 48.5% |
| Average for All 10-Year-Old Cars | $19,178 | 99,685 | 45.2% |
Now let’s take a look at the 5-year-old cars, which of course cost more on average than the 10-year-old models but still offer a significant saving when you compare them to the new models.
Best 5-Year-Old Used Cars for the Money
| Model | Average Price | Remaining Lifespan (Miles) | Remaining Lifespan (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Trax | $17,274 | 119,833 | 64.9% |
| Honda Fit | $19,049 | 129,319 | 67.7% |
| Honda Insight | $22,109 | 148,885 | 68.8% |
| Buick Encore | $18,632 | 124,852 | 67.6% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $17,199 | 114,789 | 62.9% |
| Honda Accord | $24,074 | 156,146 | 69.1% |
| Honda CR-V | $25,434 | 160,207 | 70.8% |
| Honda Ridgeline | $30,026 | 182,288 | 71.2% |
| Toyota Avalon | $29,118 | 171,839 | 73.0% |
| Jeep Renegade | $20,026 | 116,728 | 62.5% |
| Average for All 5-Year-Old-Cars | $28,965 | 128,808 | 64.1% |
Read the full report at iSeeCars.com
Keep This In Mind When Buying a Used Car
As the car market continues to improve, money expert Clark Howard is once again advocating for used vehicles, but he wants you to do some homework first before you buy:
Do Your Research
First, Clark says you should always check reliability ratings. While the research iSeeCars has done is helpful, you’ll want to go a step further and check the annual Consumer Reports auto reliability survey, which is published annually.
The magazine features detailed reliability ratings for past model years on all the popular car brands. Visit ConsumerReports.org to get digital access to the used car ratings starting at $10 a month. Or check your local library to see if it has a copy available for free.
Check the VIN
Second, you’ll want to check the vehicle’s history to find out if it’s a flood car or has been in a horrible accident. Read about free options to check whether the vehicle has been in a flood.
And don’t pay for a VIN check. Read our guide on how to get a free VIN check.
Get a Mechanic’s Inspection
It may take patience, determination and good fortune to find a trustworthy mechanic, but it’s worth the effort.
Before you hand over any money, have the used vehicle thoroughly inspected by an independent mechanic. Clark wants you to choose a mechanic with an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification, which means they have completed rigorous training and education on the fundamentals of auto repair and maintenance.
Clark’s #1 tip on choosing a mechanic is this:
“I want you to have a relationship with a mechanic for routine maintenance — not when something goes wrong and you’re looking for a shotgun marriage with some shop. I want you to find that shop, that mechanic, you can trust ahead of time.”
