Did you know that some of the most famous billionaires in the world don’t drive brand-new vehicles? While we often hear about professional athletes, actors, and musicians with Rolls Royces and Lamborghinis in their garages, this isn’t the case for most financially savvy billionaires around the globe. But what exactly does this have to do with you and shopping at your local used Chevrolet dealer? A lot, actually, and here’s why.
Walmart heir Alice Walton is the richest woman in the world and happily gets behind the wheel of an older Ford truck similar to the one her father, Sam, drove throughout his life. Inventor, programmer, and electronics engineer Steve Wozniak can afford any car he wants, but he chooses to drive a Chevy Bolt. The same is true for frugal billionaire Warren Buffett who “splurged” when he bought a Cadillac XTS. This shows the savviness of how billionaires spend money and why shopping for a used vehicle like a Chevrolet is a practical option that even the business-savvy billionaires of the world put into practice.
That leads us to our next question: “What are the best Chevrolets to buy used?” While Wozniak swears by his Chevy Bolt, there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for an electric vehicle like the Bolt, a more luxurious ride like the Malibu, or an SUV like the Traverse. You’ll even find workhorses like the Silverado are far more affordable and packed with plenty of features on the used lot.
#1 Chevy Traverse
The Traverse made its debut in 2009 to replace the Uplander minivan and the TrailBlazer SUV. The crossover was a huge success because it gave owners the best of a sedan, SUV, and minivan by offering an array of convenience features, a spacious interior cabin, and exceptional efficiency and capability. This capability comes from its 281 horsepower engine and all-wheel-drive option, neither of which comes at the cost of efficiency, with the 2009 Traverse averaging 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The SUV also offers nearly 117 cubic feet of cargo space as well as convenience features like a power liftgate, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera.
While the 2009 Traverse is one of the most reliable used crossovers you’ll find on the road, there are plenty of newer models available. The 2013 crossover saw a vast improvement in its ride quality and handling as well as the addition of a 6.5-inch color touchscreen display equipped with the MyLink infotainment system. If you’re looking for an even newer model, be sure to look for the 2016 Traverse in a higher trim since this model includes luxury features like heated and powered side mirrors, wood interior accents, heated and powered front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and advanced safety features like a collision mitigation system.
#2 Chevy Equinox
A few years before the Traverse entered the lineup, Chevy entered the crossover market with the Equinox. Designed to attract families looking for an affordable, practical, and reliable SUV, the Equinox fit the bill incredibly well with its flexible seating and cargo area as well its optional all-wheel drive and modestly powerful 185-horsepower V6 engine. Of course, Chevy made several improvements to the Equinox over the first few years, with the 2007 model seeing the addition of enhanced stability control and the 2008 model adding a 264 horsepower V6 engine to the lineup.
When you’re shopping for a used Equinox, the sweet spot is to find a 2013 model or newer. Chevy added a 7.0-inch touchscreen display with the Chevrolet MyLink system to the SUV in 2012 but made an even better improvement in 2013 with an all-new 3.6-liter engine replacing the 264 horsepower V6 engine to deliver 301 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque. This upgrade in power makes the Equinox even more capable and fun to drive. If you’re willing to spend a little more on a newer model, the 2019 Equinox won’t disappoint and is equipped with LED lighting, remote start, heated seating, automated climate control, GPS, wireless phone charging stations, and more.
#3 Chevy Camaro
Switching gears from crossovers to one of the most iconic pony cars on the road, the Chevy Camaro has a rich history in America and is still one of the most popular Chevy models to buy new or used. The Camaro made its debut in 1967 and spent the next 35 years wowing drivers with its impressive power and signature design. Then, Chevy did the unthinkable and discontinued the model in the early 2000s. However, the Camaro wouldn’t be gone for long and made its return to the Chevy lineup in 2010.
The 2010 model is a great option to buy used because it’s equipped with either a 3.6-liter V6 or a 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of producing up to 426 horsepower. Adding more power to the Camaro became a trend over the next few years, with models like the 2012 Camaro ZL1 delivering a jaw-dropping 580 horsepower. By 2016, Chevy completely redesigned the Camaro to offer convertible and coupe options as well as enhanced performance to make it a true competitor against rivals like the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang. You’ll also want to check out newer models like the 2019 Camaro that offers incredible speed and performance with Brembo brakes and sport-tuning in addition to the latest technology and luxury features like an 8.0-inch touchscreen display and leather seating.
#4 Chevy Malibu
If you’re looking for a practical sedan that offers interior comforts and modern technology, then shopping for a used Chevy Malibu is a great option. The Malibu first joined the Chevy lineup in the 1960s, only to be revived as a sedan in 1997. By the new millennium, the Malibu was widely popular in the Chevy fleet thanks to models like the Malibu SS that came equipped with a sport suspension to deliver even better handling and performance. Over the years, the model evolved into a practical and efficient sedan capable of holding its own on the road with models like the 2014 equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivering 259 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
While you’ll certainly get a lot of value for your money when shopping for an older model Malibu, if you’re looking for an affordable and more modern option, then you’ll definitely want to look at the 2018 model. Slightly refreshed for the year, the 2018 Malibu offers an array of features across its many trims, including wireless phone charging, remote entry, OnStar, and Wi-Fi capability. As you can imagine, newer models like the 2019 offer even more technology with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display that allows you to connect your smartphone to the vehicle to keep you connected while you’re behind the wheel.
#5 Chevy Tahoe
One of the great perks of shopping for a used vehicle is that you’ll often find that you can afford more vehicle for your money. A great example of this is the Chevy Tahoe, which can be an expensive option if you’re looking at a top-tier trim on a new model. By shopping used, you’ll find you can afford the same-level trim on an older model and still reap the benefits of everything that Chevy has to offer. So, which Tahoe is the best to buy used?
If you’re looking for a great deal, you’ll definitely want to check out a 2011 Tahoe since this model is equipped with a Vortec V8 engine capable of delivering up to 21 MPG on the highway. This is impressive considering the size of the Tahoe and its capability as a hauler, whether it’s towing a heavy load or hauling passengers and gear. This year’s model also handles better and delivers a smoother ride than earlier models. Of course, if you’re looking for a newer model, look at the 2015 Tahoe since Chevy restyled the SUV from the inside out. You won’t be disappointed by the 2018 model since its base model was incredibly affordable and offered a great value with standard features like automatic headlamps, remote entry, remote start, roof rails, powered seating, Wi-Fi, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen display.
What’s Your Favorite Used Chevy
While we may not be billionaires like Alice Walton or Warren Buffett, we can be smart with our money when it comes to buying a vehicle. We can follow the billionaire trend of buying a vehicle below our means to save money and still reap the benefits that reliable brands like Chevrolet have to offer. What’s even better is that modern innovation makes vehicles more capable than ever of logging hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance, which means you have less to worry about when shopping the lot at your local used Chevy dealership. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to find your favorite used Chevy.
