7 min read
We buy almost any (very) used car for cash. And we love all our used car babies equally. But, there are five models that standout in popularity, from a car buyer perspective. Why?
We can make a reasonable speculation that it’s because these are just generally popular cars in the U.S. Or at least were during our most popular model years, which are cars from 2001-2005.
Let’s explore these hot models and dig into what makes them such charmers.
the honda civic
The Honda Civic flies off the metaphoric shelves. The Civic is the second most popular car in the U.S. after the Ford Mustang (according to market research firm YouGov.com).
The Honda Civic is dependable. Dependability is the Civic’s #1 standout feature. It has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on repairpal.com (while the average compact car has 4.0 stars).
The Honda Civic has low ownership costs. Average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance is $368. While compact cars come in at $526 on average, and $652 on average for all vehicle models.
The Honda Civic performs. The steering, handling and acceleration all receive worthy praise. On top of the turbocharged engine, which is a big draw for many.
The Honda Civic is fuel efficient. People are attracted to fuel efficiency. The Civic has it and people love that about it—according to approximately a bazillion internet reviews.
the toyota prius
The Toyota Prius spearheaded the hybrid car revolution. When the Toyota Prius debuted in Japan in 1997, many credited Toyota with the creation of the hybrid car, which obviously became a very popular type of car.
The Prius really started to hit its popularity stride in 2005, after a big redesign in 2003. In 2008, 20,000 cars were sold every month (that’s A LOT). And since its debut, over 4.3 million models have been sold.
The Toyota Prius is fuel efficient as heck. As most people well know, this is the Prius’s most beloved feature.
When it crash-landed in the U.S., gas prices were skyrocketing. So people were like “Oh hello hybrid cars, you wanna take me further for less gas? Yes, please.” Saving time + saving money = good.
The Toyota Prius is safe. One of the safest vehicles on the road, in fact—boasting five whole stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Toyota Prius is affordable. The starting price for a Prius in the early 2000s was roughly $20,000. The 2021 model gets $25,520. And, news flash, people like money.
the honda accord
The Honda Accord is loved by the masses. Honda’s midsize sedan debuted in 1976 (if you can believe it) and the people still love her—winning the crown for America’s best-selling car of the past 44 years, with 14 million cars sold. Wow.
The Honda Accord is affordable. For just under $25,000, you can get a bunch of luxury-sedan-like features, like leather seats, fancy screen infotainment, and solid safety features.
The Honda Accord is reliable. These babies were built to last (apparently). It’s not uncommon to see a 15-year-old Accord with over 100,000 miles still driving around like a boss.
The Honda Accord performs. “It’s fun to drive” is something you hear a lot. It maneuvers well, with excellent suspension, so it’s extra comfy to drive around in.
The Honda Accord is known for its resale value. So it’s a good investment, retaining value relatively well over time. Hence, it being a popular car for us to buy—even with 20+ years on it.
the ford explorer
The Ford Explorer is reasonably priced. (For a family SUV that can seat seven.) It goes for around $17K less than the Chevy Tahoe, while carrying the “Ford tough” name.
The Ford Explorer is stylish and spacious. The general consensus is that the Ford Explorer looks cool. It says “fun city SUV” and also “rugged truck.” It has massive roominess to store all the people AND stuff, plus, cubbies in the back for your messy adventure gear.
The Ford Explorer is peppy and powerful. This puppy motors. With a 3.5-liter V6 engine, 290 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 6.8 seconds. AND it can tow up to 5,600 pounds, i.e. your boat or camper.
The Ford Explorer is safe. With for reals 4WD capabilities (vs. all-wheel, which is significantly more limiting). The Explorer offers seven different driving modes for basically any possible off-road challenge. Plus, the system is now “intelligent,” adjusting torque and braking power automatically to reduce slippage and increase control.
the nissan altima
The Nissan Altima is ssssssleek. If you squint your eyes, you could almost believe the Altima is a luxury sedan. And it’s this “sleekness” that people talk about when choosing the Altima over say, the Honda Civic.
The Nissan Altima is good on gas mileage. It’s especially popular among the commuter set for its one-two-gas-mileage-storage punch. The most efficient Altima (the Nissan Altima S FWD) offers a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg, while the least efficient Altima (the Nissan Altima SR VC-Turbo) comes in with combined fuel economy of 29 mpg—still pretty freaking efficient.
The Nissan Altima is durable. Typically, drivers go a good five to seven years before needing repairs on their Altimas. And all-in-all maintenance, like oil changes and tires, is pretty budget-friendly for the Altima. And, you know, people tend to like that.
The Nissan Altima is on trend with tech. Nissan is on-point about updating the Altima with the latest and greatest in auto technology in a timely way. Stuff like improving fuel efficiency, and reducing road noise—bunches of small things that add up to big driver satisfaction.
The Nissan Altima is pretty safe. The latest Altimas have 5-star safety ratings (from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). And it’s the Top Safety Pick+ for the midsize car segment (from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
in conclusion, these cars are popular, but we buy all cars
We love, want, and buy all cars for cash. And we do it simply—answer a few questions and get a no-obligation-think-about-it instant cash offer (no personal details necessary). If you accept, we’ll pick it up free, and leave you with payment on the spot.
Peddle is the newer, faster, awesomer way to sell your car. Whether it’s a super popular Honda Civic or a less popular PT Cruiser. Whether it’s driving fine, or totally dead. Keys, no, keys. Title, no title. We truly buy all the cars—no hoops, no tricks, no gimmicks.
Interested in selling your car? Cool! Check us out.
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