The Best Used Cars Recommended by Mechanics
The Best Used Cars Recommended by Mechanics
Posted on July 11, 2024
Searching for the best used cars recommended by mechanics? You’ve come to the right place. Sunridge Auto is home to Calgary's best selection of used cars. Our used vehicle inventory is a treasure trove of great vehicles we've bought on trade-in value, and our mechanics have formed their opinions over years of their great experience.
This guide breaks down which models mechanics trust most, covering top picks in sedans, SUVs, trucks, and more. Get advice from those under the hood and find a reliable used car that fits your needs and budget.
How to Choose A Used Car Based on Mechanics' Facts
- Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima are top recommended used sedans due to their reliability and low maintenance costs.
- Toyota Highlander, Subaru Forester, and Kia Sorento are excellent choices for used SUVs, offering space, safety, and reliability.
- Nissan Altima models are known for high mileages of 400,000 km to 480,000 km in their lifetimes.
- The Kia Sorento has a strong warranty with comprehensive and powertrain up to 100,000 km or 5 years.
- Car and Driver notes outliers like the Ford Maverick, and Ram 1500 for their recent 10Best models.
- The Chevrolet Silverado can tow up to 13,300 lb safely for years with the Max Trailering package.
- Honda Civic Hybrid achieve impressive fuel economy ratings of 5.9 L/100 km in FWD or 6.4 L/100 km in AWD. Even non-hybrids can get an average of 6.9 - 7.1 L/100 km.
- Maintenance records, thorough inspections, and understanding resale value buying a used car should influence your decision on a new car to ensure a good investment.
Top Used Sedans Recommended by Mechanics
Mechanics in-house and in shops we've spoken with have earned their opinions through hard work! When you buy a used vehicle from Sunridge Auto, you don't have worry about reliability, just how much you'd like to spend to own a great car. Seek out the best, from economy cars to premium models.
When it comes to used sedans that won’t let you down, the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima are our mechanics' top picks. These models are celebrated for their reliability, fuel economy, and overall value for money, through the total cost of ownership equation.
Mechanics frequently recommend these used cars for their durability and low maintenance costs, making them a smart choice for any car buyer. Some of the most reliable brands recommended by Consumer Reports include Lexus, Honda, and Toyota—all proven brands in the areas of longevity and low maintenance costs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a superstar in the automotive world, renowned for its low maintenance costs and exceptional durability over high mileage. It costs about CA$528 to repair per year on average. With reasonable servicing and care, it's got a long and affordable useful life by mechanics' standards.
Honda Accord
Mechanics also highly recommend the Honda Accord for its dependability and performance. Its spacious interior and superior materials ensure a delightful driving and riding experience.
Nissan Altima
Balancing comfort, efficiency, and affordability, the Nissan Altima has won over the used car market. With features like comfortable seating and a user-friendly infotainment system, the Altima provides a pleasurable driving experience.
Its efficient performance and affordability make it a practical option for used car buyers, and newer models of this new car come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems and Android Auto for added safety. Additionally, Nissan Altima models are known for high mileages of 400,000 km to 480,000 km —making them a durable choice.
Best Used SUVs and Crossovers
Mechanics in-house and in shops we've spoken with rate the Toyota Highlander, Subaru Forester, and Kia Sorento as standouts among SUVs and crossovers.
If more space and versatility are required, used SUVs and crossovers such as the Toyota Highlander, Subaru Forester, and Kia Sorento come highly recommended. These vehicles are known for their reliability and practicality, making them ideal for families and adventurers alike.
Toyota Highlander
With its remarkable safety scores and flawless reliability rating, the Toyota Highlander, especially the model, distinguishes itself.
On average a Toyota Highlander only costs $636CAD to repair per year, which is below average! Its comfortable ride and high-quality interior make it a preferred choice among car buyers, and the option of a V6 engine provides strong performance for a mid-size SUV.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is lauded for providing excellent visibility for the driver, significantly enhancing driving safety. This feature, combined with its robust safety track record in crash tests in recent years (with an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award to its credit), makes it a highly recommended used SUV by safety authorities in the US and by extension, mechanics working salvage repair everywhere.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento offers a roomy interior and a strong warranty with comprehensive and powertrain up to 100,000 km or 5 years, which adds to its appeal as a reliable used car. Models like the Sorento are appreciated for their outstanding safety and predicted reliability ratings from J.D. Power, providing peace of mind for used car buyers and less work for mechanics in the first 5 years they're new.
Reliable Used Pickup Trucks
the Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado offer robustness, heavy yet reliable towing for years, and utility among mechanics. This Ford-F150 is great at towing your RV to the Rockies with ease.
As for pickup trucks, the Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, and Chevrolet Silverado stand out in the used market due and our network of in-house and third-party mechanics, due to their reliability and utility. These trucks are also known to be some of the longest lasting vehicles, praised for their ability to handle tough jobs over many years.
Reliable awards from Car and Driver note outliers like the Ford Maverick, and Ram 1500 for their recent 10Best models—which customers and mechanics alike will enjoy working with equally, soon enough.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma earns respect for its enduring lifespan and superior off-road performance. Known for being virtually indestructible, the Tacoma’s 2.4L 4-Cylinder Turbo engine provides a perfect balance of power and reliability. Models from 2016 and later are particularly noted for their advanced off-road features, which are a lot of fun to work on.
Ford F-150
Offering a plethora of powertrain options and configurations, the Ford F-150 caters to a wide variety of needs with its versatility.
Regular maintenance, such as oil changes, air filter replacements, and checking suspension components, can significantly extend its lifespan—and our mechanics can definitely notice the difference in quality between a poorly maintained or well-maintained F-150. Be sure to schedule maintenance for your used Ford F-150!
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado, acclaimed for its robust performance, particularly excels in towing and hauling tasks. It offers a range of engine options to suit different needs, making it a strong contender for heavy-duty tasks. Its ability to tow up to 13,300 lb makes it a robust choice for heavy-duty tasks.
Fuel-Efficient Used Cars
A used vehicle from Sunridge Auto, like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, are top choices for sedans. Fuel-efficient cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3 provide great mileage.
Many car buyers prioritize fuel economy. With their impressive mileage and reduced running costs, used cars such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3 are ideal for those aiming for fuel efficiency.
Honda Civic
Honda Civic is perfectly suited for urban commuting due to its outstanding fuel economy. Models like a newer used Honda Civic Hybrid achieve impressive fuel economy ratings of 5.9 L/100 km in FWD or 6.4 L/100 km in AWD. Even non-hybrids can get an average of 6.9 - 7.1 L/100 km.
That efficiency is dependable over years thanks to Honda's reliable build quality and emissions warranty!
Toyota Corolla
Famed for its remarkable gas mileage, a used model of the Toyota Corolla is low maintenance costs according to Repair Pal at only CA$493 per year. and reliability make it a top recommendation by mechanics. Great build quality keeps you out of the shop and low parts costs keeps your bill low year over year.
High-Value Luxury Used Cars
For luxury seekers on a budget, high-value luxury used cars such as the Lexus ES, Acura TLX, and BMW 3 Series present fantastic options. These vehicles provide premium features at a fraction of the cost of new models.
Lexus ES
Luxury options like the Lexus ES, Acura TLX, and BMW 3 Series offer premium features at lower costs. Reliability, and affordability combine in a luxury car like the Lexus, which you can test drive at our location downtown Calgary!
The used Lexus ES, recognized for its ultra-smooth ride and lavish interior and one of the best used cars to buy overall, guarantees a luxury driving experience for many years. Its reliability and longevity make it a popular choice among used luxury vehicles.
Most ES trims have notably high levels of feature content and the ES has reliability of up to 87/100 according to J.D. Power in recent years.
Acura TLX
With its combination of high performance and deluxe features, a used Acura like the TLX holds great value in the used car market. With nimble handling and powerful engine options, the TLX stands out in its class.
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series demonstrates incredible performance and broad range of trim options to compete closely with the Mercedes C-class. Models from 2012 to 2019 are particularly popular in the used market due to their variety of engine options and seamless blend of performance (like zero-100km/h in 5.6 seconds) and luxury you can easily feel for yourself on a test drive at our lot.
A used BMW 3 Series can be a reliable vehicle when properly maintained, and our mechanics can help keep your model from yesteryear from costing too much to maintain; great performance comes from preventative maintenance!
Important Factors When Buying a Used Car
Mechanics can help you get the job done, and explain what they've seen but it's up to you to decide on what makes a used car worth it. Is it the reliability of a luxury used vehicle like a BMW? Or the affordability of maintenance on affordable models? Plus each vehicle has it's own history and record of care.
Buying a used car involves considering factors such as maintenance records, vehicle inspection, and resale value. These factors can significantly impact your overall satisfaction and the long-term value of your purchase.
Maintenance Records
Comprehensive maintenance records suggest that the car, with its various trim levels, has been well-maintained, while gaps might hint at neglect or concealed issues. The car’s condition, mileage, and maintenance history can significantly affect its resale value and, consequently, its asking price.
Vehicle Inspection
Inspections can help uncover hidden issues not obvious during a test drive, potentially providing negotiating leverage if problems are detected. At Sunridge Auto, we conduct rigorous inspections on all trade-ins to ensure they meet our high standards for quality and reliability.
This thorough appraisal process guarantees that our customers receive the best ownership experience possible when purchasing a used vehicle from us.
Resale Value
Some car models, known for better value retention over time, are considered safer investments. For instance, the Toyota Tacoma maintains a relatively high resale value due to its reliability and engineering focused on protecting vital drivetrain components.
Ask a Sales Advisor at Sunridge Auto for Used Car Advice
Selecting the right used car involves considering various factors like reliability, fuel economy, and its history to determine resale value. There's always a fair deal at Sunridge Auto!
It may sound counter-intuitive but your best line on mechanics' advice is through our sales advisors. We're always talking and making rounds at our dealership for the latest insights and tips.
Our sales team collaborates closely with mechanics to ensure we provide accurate and up-to-date information about vehicle conditions and maintenance needs. By leveraging this combined expertise, we can help you make informed decisions and find and finance the perfect used car that fits your requirements.
Take the knowledge of the best used cars recommended by our mechanics and put it into practice by test driving one of these mechanic-approved models. Experience firsthand the reliability and performance that make these vehicles standout choices according to mechanics and Ford service techs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Toyota Camry and Honda Accord highly recommended by mechanics?
Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are highly recommended by mechanics due to their reliability, fuel economy, and overall value for money, all chief concerns among used car buyers looking for peace of mind upon inspection.
Are luxury used cars like the Lexus ES reliable?
Absolutely, the Lexus ES is considered highly reliable due to its smooth ride, luxurious interior, and overall dependability, making it an attractive option for used luxury cars. While it may not be the cheapest to repair, it's one of the longest lasting without mechanics' intervention.
What factors should I consider during a vehicle inspection?
During a vehicle inspection, it's important to consider hidden issues that may not be immediately visible, as these can impact price negotiations.
Remember to check maintenance records, conduct a vehicle inspection, and consider resale value to make an informed decision.