Used Cars For Sale in Kansas City, KS (2024)

FAQs

Is it financially better to buy a new or used car? ›

A new car may cost you less in terms of repairs, at least for the first few years. By the time the vehicle starts to need major repairs and upkeep, you may be ready to trade it in. If you pay cash, a used car may cost you more for maintenance but less in interest charges on a loan.

The optimal time to purchase a used car is typically between 2 to 5 years old. Within this age range, the vehicle has already experienced the most significant depreciation, yet remains 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.

December is the cheapest month to buy a car because that's when car dealerships are clearing their inventory to make room for next year. It's also when car salespeople are competing to meet their yearly, quarterly and monthly quotas.

What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

In conclusion, while it's a good idea to consider both the age of a vehicle and the mileage on the odometer, how it was maintained is the key. A 10 year old car with 100,000 miles may have received more maintenance and upkeep then a 5 year-old car with 50,000 miles.

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.

What matters most when buying a used car? ›

Pre-Purchase Inspection

This is arguably one of the most important steps to take when buying a used car. In addition to doing your own preliminary check, a professional pre-purchase inspection ensures that the used car you are considering is exactly what it claims to be.

Car shopping? Buying a used car can save you money, but you'll want to check the vehicle's age and the number on its odometer to get an even greater value. According to Autotrader, the best used vehicle should be between four and six years old, and have less than 50,000 miles.

Honda: Recognized for producing reliable cars with solid engineering, good fuel efficiency, and longevity. Subaru: Valued for its all-wheel-drive capability and strong reliability ratings across its lineup of cars and SUVs. Mazda: Often praised for its reliability, engaging driving dynamics, and well-built vehicles.

Private Sale. You can likely get the most money for your car by selling it privately. This is because you're selling to the next owner directly instead of through a middleman like a dealership or car buying website.

According to the bestselling author and radio personality, those looking to buy a car should aim their sights lower, older and cheaper. “We're not going to beat around the bush: The very best way to buy a car is to save up and buy a reliable, slightly used car (with cash),” claims Ramsey's site, Ramsey Solutions.

A used car will maintain any life remaining on its warranty upon transfer and you are certainly able to purchase extended service plans to maintain warranty coverage on a used vehicle for a longer duration, but a new car comes with an untouched factory warranty for a pre-determined number of miles.

Resale value: How much will the car be worth in a few years? If you plan to sell the car in a few years, then a new car may not be a good investment. However, if you plan to keep the car for a long time, then a new car may be a better investment.

Cars lose their value over time. Certain factors will influence how much they depreciate. Make and model, age, condition, mileage, ownership history, and even the vehicle's color may affect your car's value. A new car will typically depreciate much faster than a used car.