There are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a used car, from the state of repair to all of the warranty provided by the dealer. That said, resale is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a car. Purchasing any car is a big investment, one that you ought to be able to get a solid return on. The resale value on used cars, in particular, can vary a lot depending on things like the condition of the engine and the interior; however, there are a handful of vehicles that always have a high resale value. There are a lot of reasons why certain vehicles have a higher resale than others, partially because of the demand, but also because of the design and durability of the vehicle. If you’re looking for used cars for sale but want to get the best resale return on your initial investment, we’ve put together a short-list of some of our favorites that have an incredible trade-in value.
The 2018 Subaru WRX
Subaru has earned quite the reputation for creating some solid performing sedans. One of the more popular models of the Subaru family lineup is the 2018 Subaru WRX. At first glance, this sleek sedan appears to be just like all the rest, although, the Subaru WRX is more than just a commuter or form of passenger transport. The punchy 268 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine, which offers up 258 lb-ft worth of torque, and a zippy 6-speed manual transmission, offer up a performance-level driving experience and makes the 2018 Subaru WRX an ideal pick for drivers who have a particular need for speed.
There is a wide range of configurations to choose from, including the basic Manual, Premium Manual, Premium CVT, Limited Manual, Limited CVT, STI Manual, STI Type RA Manual, and STI Limited Manual with a Wing Spoiler or Lip Spoiler. This plethora of customization leads to a suite of vehicles that can be tailor-made to satisfy drivers from all corners of the performance market. And at a base fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city, and 27 mpg on the highway the 2018 Subaru WRX is not a bad choice for commuting either. Kelly Blue Book estimates that when reselling this sporty Subaru, drivers can expect to get 46.2% of the original value over five years.
There is plenty of fandom surrounding this car as well, as drivers with a taste for speedy sedans, tend to invest in used models to install a wide variety of performance level upgrades. Read why so many people love the WRX on Motortrend.com.
The 2018 Chevy Colorado
If you visit a used car dealership and are looking for a pickup truck with a solid resale value, we couldn’t recommend the 2018 Chevy Colorado enough. The Chevy Colorado is a muscular pickup truck with plenty of long-term reliability and robust engine power beneath the hood. Currently, Kelly Blue Book expects that after five year’s of ownership, drivers can get a typical return of 47% of the original retail value. Why is the Chevy Colorado such a sought after vehicle?
Well, for one, the base model of the 2018 Chevy Colorado sports a beefy 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which allows drivers to utilize 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft worth of torque. Base towing capacity is also a much-desired bonus, starting out at 3,500 lbs. The Chevy Colorado can also be fitted with a wide variety of upgrades including the option of either a 3.6-liter V6 or a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine. At max performance, the Chevy Colorado puts out 308 horsepower and can haul up to 7,000 lbs.
Power and performance aren’t the only two things drawing potential used car buyers to the Chevy Colorado. This robust little pickup truck comes with a slew of interior tech, including a four-way power driver’s seat, a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a well-placed USB port. In the Z71 trim option, drivers can also expect features that make the Chevy Colorado an off-road champ. Addons like chunky off-road capable tires, off-road suspension, and limited-slip rear differentials, make the Chevy Colorado a pickup truck with plenty of resale demand.
The 2018 Chevy Silverado
When it comes to well-made, high-resale pickup trucks, Chevy doesn’t seem to disappoint. Another vehicle with great used value is the 2018 Chevy Silverado. Standing in direct competition with heavy hitters like the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado is the bigger brother of the Colorado, offering a level of capability highly desired by all sorts of drivers. Kelly Blue Book predicts that drivers who resell a Chevy Silverado, may receive an estimated 50.4% return on their initial investment.
What makes the 2018 Chevy Silverado so desirable is the brilliant blend of performance and intuitive driving technology. When shopping for a Chevy Silverado, you’ll find six different configurations, including the Work Truck, LS, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. Each trim options dramatically shifts the performance of the vehicle, ranging from workhorse to off-road champ. That said, base models of the Silverado come with a 4.3-liter V6 engine, that delivers 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft worth of torque. Towing capacity also starts high at 5,500 lbs, and with the option of a regular, double, or crew cab, you have a Chevy pickup truck with high-configurability. The Chevy Silverado is available in both rear and four-wheel-drive variants, giving even base models a great degree of capability.
Beyond just performance, the Chevy Silverado comes packed with safety and infotainment tech. While all models come with the basics of things like stability control and anti-lock brakes, the Silverado can be upgraded to offer, next-level safety features in the Enhanced Driver Alert Package. This suite of safety features includes automatic emergency braking, active lane control, automatic high-beams, and front and rear park assist. Infotainment and accessibility come in heavy as well, with top trim options including things like wireless charging, an 8.0-inch infotainment system, and a Bose audio system.
All these factors combined make the 2018 Chevy Silverado highly desirable, and a great pick for drivers hoping to get a high return on purchasing a used vehicle.
How to Get the Best Rate of Return
As mentioned prior, purchasing a used car can be a serious investment, especially if you hope to get a high rate of return. Part of getting the most ‘bang for your buck’ includes more than just purchasing the right car. Getting the best rate of return means also upkeeping your purchased vehicle on a regular basis. The state of repair of your used car can make all the difference in terms of your eventual return. Even if you are reselling the top trim of something like the 2018 Chevy Silverado, if the pickup is in poor shape, you can run the risk of getting a return far lower than the intended used car value. So, when purchasing a used car for high returns, we suggest finding a reliable automotive technician or dealership service center that can ensure everything is up to par for the long-haul. While there may be plenty of hurdles involved, reselling a used car can be incredibly profitable, all you need is a bit of patience, a skilled mechanic, and a bit of persistence.
