A car is not an investment. An investment, by definition, increases in value. A car is a necessary purchase, and it will never appreciate in value, with the possible exception of classics and antiques. So, as a used car buyer, you are not looking to make money – just minimize the amount of money you will inevitably use.
With that in mind, here are the five best used cars to buy in order to ensure maximum resale value.
Honda Civic: It would be difficult to find a better car in the compact class than the Honda Civic, when it comes to holding resale value. It has low gas mileage thanks to its EcoAssist feature, and it’s a nice-looking car – great lines, and looks a lot more expensive than it really is. You can count on good resale value with a new Honda Civic, as it is expected to retain approximately 57% of its value after three years of ownership, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Honda Accord: Honda once again delivers the goods. You might pay a bit more for a used Accord than you would for, say, a Toyota Camry, but you’ll make the money back when you trade it in. You’ll love features in newer models like the 8-inch display screen that delivers music information and incoming texts, and the rear-view camera is also convenient. You’ll appreciate all that the Accord has to offer, and so will its next owner. A new Accord has an estimated resale value of roughly 50%.
Lexus GS: In the luxury class, you won’t do better than the Lexus GS series. It features emergency and concierge services along with 24-hour live navigation, split-screen multimedia, and an interior that you could live in. It’s also visually stunning, with sleek, classic lines. You may never want to trade in this car, but if you do, you’ll be happy to know that the 2016 Lexus GS tops the luxury class with its 51% estimated resale value.
Jeep Wrangler: There’s nothing quite like a Wrangler. It features unique styling, and a robust V6 engine that really delivers when off-roading, driving in bad weather, or when you need a boost for passing, merging, or performing other maneuvers in traffic. After three years, a new Wrangler is expected to retain roughly 64% of its value.
Ford F-150: The F-150 is powerful and luxurious – no one does an interior quite like Ford, so you can ride in comfort while knowing that this truck will also deliver the towing capacity you need. The 2015 F-150 is expected to hold a whopping 65% of its value after three years. Best of luck finding one however – most people really like their F-150s, and tend to hold onto them. Of course, this makes them worth more and hints at their reliability.
If you’re looking for a great ride that will hold its value, consider the five above, as they are our top picks.
