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These Are The Best Used Car Values Right Now

These Are The Best Used Car Values Right Now

Some of you are much bolder than I am in trusting reliability, but I respect it

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rear three quarters of a blue Audi S8 driving on a roadway
Photo: Audi

We asked you last week to think about the best value on the used market is right now. Finding good deals on used cars is tough; it’s a balancing act between something that you want to drive and something that you trust not to go wrong and create a landslide of expensive repair bills. Often the more exciting choices don’t have the best reputation for reliability, but if you’re willing to take a chance then you may be handsomely rewarded with a fun car that cost you a fraction of what the original owner paid. From your answers, it seems like the Jalopnik audience is willing to take some risks with their used car recommendations, but others make lots of logical sense. These are your answers to the best used car values right now.

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2 / 17

Large German Luxury Sedans

Large German Luxury Sedans

Road Test: 2011 Audi A8 quattro

HOT TAKE: Any large German luxury sedan. BMW 5/7 series, Audi A6/7/8, Mercedes E-Class (S-Class are amazing but are just too problematic and costly to repair.)

I’ve pretty much exclusively owned this category of car for the last 10 years. Yes, they can have problems, and yes, those problems can cost more than repairing a Civic or a Camry. However, these cars are phenomenal to drive, have tons of power and the latest technology, are safe, and if you buy them 3-5 years old, have already experienced the vast majority of their depreciation and can be purchased at some screaming deals. I’ve also either been extremely lucky, or these cars are nowhere near the ticking time bombs so many claim they are. Find yourself a reputable private mechanic in your area, do the easy stuff yourself, and these cars will reward you handsomely for years.

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Submitted by: Segador

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3 / 17

Lexus LS 460s

Lexus LS 460s

2015 Lexus LS 460 | 5 Reasons to Buy | Autotrader

I’ve been casually perusing 2015/16 Lexus LS 460 AWD sedans. They’re pretty fantastic cars with an original sticker of somewhere around $80k. You can pick one up for $25-30k now pretty easy.

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Submitted by: Kerberos824

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4 / 17

Subaru Legacys

Subaru Legacys

2020 Subaru Legacy Takes an Upscale Turn | MotorWeek Road Test

Late model Subaru Legacy’s, if can give up the height and hatch of the Outback you can save some coin. In Limited and Touring XT trims they are very well equipped and you have a big turbo 4 and AWD. Only downside is the CVT automatic required (better than a Nissan one and usually unobtrusive).

Basically just get an XT and you have a grown-up mature WRX with a lot of space and comfort

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Submitted by: CitronC

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5 / 17

Large American Sedans

Large American Sedans

MotorWeek Road Test: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

Early 2010's large American sedans, especially cars like the Buick Lacrosse, Mercury Sable/Montego, etc.

I’ve seen quite a few one-owner cars with under 125K miles going for about $5000.

I also saw a nice Hyundai Azera with 75K miles going for $4400.

Submitted by: Earthbound Misfit I

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6 / 17

Buick Regal TourXs

Buick Regal TourXs

2018 Buick Regal Sportback and TourX | Road Test

I’m probably biased, because I have one, but the Buick Regal TourX is an amazing station wagon, that most people didn’t even know existed when new.

Now, you can snag low mileage ones for under $25K.

It is an amazingly capable vehicle. With the back seats down, it offers more cargo space then many mid-sized SUVs.

Plenty of power, AWD, whisper quiet on the freeway, and actually enjoyable to drive.

Cons: Engine Auto-Stop that can’t be turned off without a modded chip.

Submitted by: Knyte

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7 / 17

C4 Corvettes

C4 Corvettes

1992 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 | Retro Review

C4 Corvette - well maintained examples are easily had for less than $15,000. Sports car handling, good looks, readily available parts, reasonable reliability and very little depreciation at an outstanding price. I’ll challenge anyone to try and find a better performing convertible for less!

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Submitted by: jlsandcompany@yahoo.com

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Kia EV6s

Kia Cranks it Up with the 2023 Kia EV6 GT | MotorWeek Road Test

Personally im impressed by the used car deals you can get on a Kia EV6 GT.

Thats the 576hp high performance version

0-60 in 3.2 (5-60 in 3.4)

0-100 in 8.0

1/4 mile in 11.6@119

You cant get more performance for less, especially with daily practicality


2023 models with very low miles can be had in the high $30k range. The Non GT has great performance too in AWD form hitting 60 in 4.4 if you want something cheaper an a little older. Those are selling in the high $20k range

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Submitted by: boneheadotto 

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9 / 17

Alfa Romeo Giulias

Alfa Romeo Giulias

Road Test: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia - Ferrari Engine, Italian Style, German Dynamics

I bought a 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia a while back for a great deal. I did this fully expecting I would also have some issues with the car, but it’s be surprisingly trouble free. Its a joy to drive, makes plenty of power, and can get decent mileage if I’m taking it easy. Its honestly one of my favorite cars I’ve ever driven.

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Submitted by: WVredneck

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10 / 17

Late 2000s BMW Sedans

Late 2000s BMW Sedans

MotorWeek Road Test: 2010 BMW 5 Series-GT

I agree with the German luxury car comment, but I’d actually take it back a few years to the late 00's early 10's and specifically say the 328/528i/xi BMW. You need to tread carefully as half the cars have been bought and turned into wannabe M3 or drift toys, but if you can find one which was just driven as a car you can get a great deal on your hands.

The N52 is incredibly reliable (at least for a BMW) and parts are readily available. What’s more, this era BMW has a lot of the bells and whistles that you typically don’t see on cars until later into the mid 10's. Comfortable, fun, and generally well under $10k. Bonus if you can find a good e91 (I just did, and it’s amazing).

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Submitted by: SantaCruzin6

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Sedans

2018 Toyota Camry | Road Test

My old as the hill take is

Sedans.

A Rav4 and a Camry have similar MSRPs. Look at a 5 year old one and the prices are about 20% higher for a Rav4 than a similar Camry. (And that’s a Camry, a legend of holding value)

And Sedans are great cars, if you don’t need to carry bulky stuff. The trunk makes them quieter than a hatchback or SUV and they get excellent gas mileage in general. It’s where I shop for used vehicles.

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Submitted by: hoser68

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12 / 17

2012 Chevrolet Silverados

2012 Chevrolet Silverados

2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado Review | Consumer Reports

2012 Silverado. My dad bought it in 2019 in the brown/gray color(I can never name it somehow) and it had about 100k on it. It now has almost 210k on it, with a little dirt. Parts for this thing are cheap, they look better than any Hyundai truck, and the LS v8 can kick in right when you need it.

Trust me on this.

Submitted by: notatiktoksuprakid

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13 / 17

Ford Model Ts

Ford Model Ts

Ford Model T - Fifth Gear Legends

This may be a little out of left field, but you can buy a good, driver quality Model T all day, every day for $8-12k.

Now, you’re not gonna take it on the highway, but you theoretically could use it as an in town commuter. You’d make friends at every gas station, and it would probably appear in the Instagram feed of every person in town. Parts are plentiful and cheap, and they’re dead simple to work on. You could leave it in the worst part of town with no top on it, and it will still be there when you get back.

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Submitted by: Anthony Thornton

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14 / 17

Chevrolet Bolts

Chevrolet Bolts

Road Test: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt - EVery Day

Chevrolet Bolt EV.

I picked up a 2020 January with 20k miles and a brand new traction battery, and 2 new tires for $13k out the door taxes and all after all the rebates. (being a full time student, and the standard deductions brought us right under the threshold.

Hard to find any other car with that few miles for that little on the market today.

I’d wager that january 2025 theyll come down a little again, because the EV market is going to slow here in cali because winter gas is cheaper, and ev’s get a little less range in the cold. the EV also seems to be cheaper than the EUV, because it’s not a crossover - so win/win.

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Submitted by: redneckrob and his flock of Volvos

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15 / 17

Early Tesla Model Ss

Early Tesla Model Ss

Road Test: 2013 Telsa Model S

The fact that you can get a low mileage ludicrous mode lifetime supercharging performance model S for around 15k right now is absolutely INSANE. That’s like 90 percent off with 10 second quarters and sub 3s 60mph sprints! Love mine!!

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Submitted by: Felix Baum, Facebook

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16 / 17

Toyota Sequoias

Toyota Sequoias

MotorWeek: 2008 Toyota Sequoia

Not a fun vehicle exactly but used Toyota Sequoias are so much less than a Tacoma and can pull pretty well.

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Submitted by: Jess Ponikvar, Facebook

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