The 10 Best Deals on the Longest-Lasting Used Cars

Source: Thinkstock

For most consumers, finding a reliable car at a reasonable price is the crowning achievement when shopping for a vehicle. That may have become a little bit easier, thanks to a new report released by iSeeCars.com.

By taking a look at how reliable certain models are and their relative price points, iSeeCars was able to come up with a solid list of the best deals on vehicles that typically last the longest. It’s one way of finding the best way to stretch each dollar, essentially. The average age of vehicles on American roadways is over 11-years-old, which means that every year, people are out looking for suitable replacements. By crunching the numbers of a variety of factors, iSeeCars was able to determine its list. The methodology, in iSeeCars’ words, is as follows:

“iSeeCars.com analyzed about 400,000 of the Longest-Lasting Vehicles for model years 2008 to 2012 for sale from April 1, 2014 to August 1, 2014. Among those vehicles, it selected the top 10 models that had the greatest number of cars for sale for at least five percent below market value. ‘Market value’ is determined by iSeeCars.com using a mathematical algorithm that analyzes similar cars for sale in the same geographical area.”

With the cars included on the following list, consumers are not only getting some of the most popular models and brands, but also a heck of a deal. “Because so many of these popular, long-lasting models are priced below market value right now, consumers who buy one of these cars are essentially getting an instant coupon for about 10 percent off,” said iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly. “The range in the percentage of discounted cars seems to directly correlate with popularity. The vehicles on this list that are top sellers in their segment have a smaller percentage of deals, while those that are less popular with buyers have a larger percentage of discounted cars available.”

Interesting findings, and good news for those on the market for a used car. Read on to see the ten best deals on the longest-lasting used cars, as calculated by iSeeCars.com.

Source: Honda

10. Honda Odyssey

Kicking things off, iSeeCars sees Honda’s Odyssey minivan as one of its top ten best deals on a used vehicle. Fifteen percent of all used Odyssey models are considered to land in the ‘sweet spot’ for consumers, with the average price for those deals falling 8.9 percent falling below market value. The average mileage on these Odyssey units is just below 51,000 miles, and the average price is just north of $21,000. For the family on the go, or for for those looking to start a family, the Honda Odyssey is not only reliable, but it’s a great deal as well.

Source: Honda

9. Honda Civic

Car shoppers will be happy to find one of the most popular consumer vehicles of all time gracing the list, as the Honda Civic takes the ninth spot. The Civic can be found for the cheapest average price on the list, at $13,075. That’s an average of 9.3 percent below market value, and can be found on roughly 15 percent of all Civics on the market. The Civic, as most people are well aware, is one of the most reliable cars every released, and a huge percentage of those sold over the years are still on the road. For a commuter car, you can’t go wrong with the Civic.

Source: Ford

8. Ford F-150

The long-time best-selling vehicle in America can also be found for a very reasonable price. The Ford F-150, an incredibly popular pickup truck, can be found at an average price of around $23,300 from a variety of dealerships and private sellers for trucks with average mileage of a bit under 54,000. The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle for a reason, as drivers have come to rely on its dependability and strength over the years. If you wanted a pickup, now is the time to start shopping around.

Source: Chevrolet

7. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

If you’re looking for an alternative to Ford’s F-150, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is a very close competitor in the segment, and can also be bought for a good price. Like the F-150, the Silverado’s average used price is around $23,000, which is 9 percent under the average market value, and makes up 16 percent of deals overall. The Silverado largely dodged most of the controversy surrounding Chevy and the rest of GM’s recalls earlier this year, but it may still be something to take into account when shopping Silverado models. Still, this is a great time to shop for a pickup.

Source: Honda

6. Honda Accord

The older brother to the Civic, Honda’s Accord may actually be a bit easier to find a great deal on. Sixteen percent of the deals on the market have the Accord going for 9 percent under market value, roughly in the $15,200 ballpark. The Accord, like the Civic, is a very popular consumer car that is not only reliable, but highly economical. For customers trying to get as much bang for their buck as they can, the Accord may be the way to go.

Source: Toyota

5. Toyota Camry

Sticking with the consumer car segment, Toyota’s Camry can be found for a bargain at many car lots around the country. The Camry is renowned for being one of the most reliable, longest-lasting cars on the road, and iSeeCars says it can be found for an average of $16,303, 9.5 percent below market value. That deal makes up 17 percent of the entirety of transactions on cars with an average mileage under 40,000 miles. The Camry is a suitable alternative to the Civic or Accord, or even models from Volkswagen and Nissan.

Source: Nissan

4. Nissan Maxima

Staying within the sedan segment, the Nissan Maxima’s average of $18,292 is a whopping 10.2 percent under average market value. That’s a deal if we’ve ever seen one, especially on a car as well-reviewed and cherished as the Maxima. The average mileage on the Maximas in question is just above 43,000 miles, and was calculated to encompass 18 percent of all deals. Again, deals like this make it a great time to be in the market for a used reliable and economical car.

Source: Ford

3. Ford Taurus

Finally, an American vehicle that isn’t a pickup! Ford’s Taurus sedan has a fairly long and storied history as a reliable commuter car, and now more than ever it can be found for a considerable bargain. The average price for a used Taurus with around 59,000 miles runs close to $15,000, a price that can be found on 19 percent of deals. It’s also 10.3 percent below average market value, the highest on the list.

Source: Acura

2. Acura TL

For bargain hunters seeking a bit more luxury, the Acura TL may be the car for you. In fact, the TL is the only vehicle from a luxury brand on the list, and it can be found for 9.2 percent below the average market price 20 percent of the time, for a $21,532. The TL definitely offers car shoppers an upgrade over cars like the Civic and Camry, which are ideal for many consumers. But once again, for those looking for just a little extra refinement, the TL is a must-see.

Source: Ford

1. Ford Explorer

For now, the king of long-lasting vehicles that can be found for a great deal is Ford’s ever-popular SUV, the Explorer. Average prices come in at a little under $22,000 for 20 percent of deals, which is 9.4 percent below average market price. There are plenty of SUVs to choose from on the market, but a used Explorer will definitely give you the opportunity to stretch your dollar the furthest.

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