Looking for a new ride without the high price tag on a new vehicle? The L.A. Times reveals a list of top rated used cars, using information from the Kelley Blue Book company, to offer consumers a few good options for getting a pre-owned set of wheels that provides cost for value.
The 2003 BMW 3 series car tops the list. With a KBB average sale value of just over $20,000, this car offers relatively affordable German engineering and panache for the road. For those who want a lot more room, the 2004 Chevy Tahoe is the paper’s #2 pick, with a similar price range. Buyers can get the next option, a 2006 Chrysler 300 sedan, a bit cheaper at around $17,800.
Next in line is the 2005 Ford Mustang coupe, a car that the Times calls “the last of the traditional rear-wheel drive pony cars.” This retails for around $16,500 according to KBB and is something that almost any car owner would be proud to garage. For a buyer who wants a traditional Japanese design, there’s the 2005 Honda Accord that sells for just over $14,000 on average in today’s market. The sporty Mazda MX-5 comes next, as the #7 pick, with a sporty style and good power for just over $17,000.
Next on the list is the 2005 MINI cooper. We’ve previously reported on how these Brit-style vehicles fit a younger crowd, and with a 2005 buy, you should be able to make a deal for about $20,000 and change. For a lot less, though, buyers can get a newer model year in the 2007 Toyota Scion tC. For another Toyota option, the L.A. Times also suggests the 2006 Camry which, despite a humdrum look, still excels on the road. The 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit is an unusual model to round out the list, but demonstrates the long-standing appeal of this fuel-saving small car.
Doing thorough model pricing is one way to save on a new or used car purchase. When you know which cars are priced up for scarcity, you avoid paying way too much for your upgrade. There’s also the importance of knowing what goes into your car financing deal. Auto financing can seem like sausage-making, in that not every buyer wants to take a look at the process, but when you do, you may find opportunities to save a good deal of money, including negotiating away high up front fees, shopping around for interest rates, or otherwise knocking down the total cost of financing your car at the dealership. Take a moment to review these strategies before heading to the lot.
