Used Cars For Sale in Greeley, CO (2024)

FAQs

How old of a used car is the best deal? ›

The “sweet spot” for purchasing a used car is between 2 to 5 years old. This is the age range where the car has already gone through the steepest part of its depreciation curve, but it's still relatively new and in good condition.

It wouldn't be a best seller list without the Ford F-150 pickup topping it and 2023 is no exception. Making up 3.3% of the 9.2 million used car sales examined, the Ford F-150 retained its top spot for another year, not just in the used market.

A private sale is your best option to get the most money for your vehicle, but this takes time and effort. Selling to a car buying website like Carvana is convenient since you can do much of the process from your couch. If you choose this option, compare a few websites to see which gives you the best offer.

A wary buyer should use as a general rule of thumb that most cars are driven 12,000-15,000 miles per year. If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer.

As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000.

AutoTrader: Best for comparing options

If you're looking for a site with extensive inventory, this is it — AutoTrader has millions of listings for you to search and filter. Plus, you can choose a car financing option and submit it directly on their site.

It can prevent future mechanical issues, warranty return denials, and even save your life if the car's safety tests weren't done correctly or because there were parts installed incorrectly. Before you purchase a new or used vehicle it's important to have an understanding of the term "test drive".

Toyota is considered to be the go-to vehicle for reliability, while brands like Honda, Mazda, Subaru and Hyundai are also highly ranked for their quality and cheap maintenance costs.

What brand of used car is most reliable? ›

Sell your car to an individual or private party

Selling your car to an individual, also called a private-party sale, is typically where you can get the most money. However, it can also be more time-consuming and come with added risk.

Cars.com is our top pick for selling a used car online. The company sets itself apart from other sites by offering a private sale option. Edmunds leads the way for buying a used car online since it makes it easy for consumers to research, buy, sell and appraise used cars.

Key Takeaways: Both Carvana and CarMax advertise no-haggle pricing, but Carvana offers a seamless selling process that helps it come out ahead in our rankings. We give Carvana the edge over CarMax as a car selling website. Our team rates CarMax just slightly ahead of Carvana for its car buying services.

If your goal is to save on a pre-owned vehicle, it's advisable to seek one that has already undergone most of its depreciation. This entails finding a car that is at least two years old, but ideally between three and four years old.

In reality, there is no concrete answer for this – it all depends on the car. A well-maintained 10-year-old car could possibly be a better investment than a newer model which hasn't been looked after. As a very general rule of thumb, a car is usually reliable up to 5 years providing it has been maintained.

Well-maintained vehicles receiving regular service can be reliable, even if they've been on the road for a decade. Research the vehicle history and get a multi-point inspection before purchasing a used vehicle over 10 years old.

Additionally, maintenance costs can quickly add up as cars age. Parts are harder to find, and labor is more time-intensive. If these concerns make you uneasy, avoid cars over 20 years old. This rule of thumb may help ensure your vehicle choice is still safe, reliable, and affordable.