Jul 12, 2024
A red 2020 Ford Fusion, a used car for sale, driving through the city.

One of the best things about shopping for a pre-owned vehicle is that you have many options available, ensuring you can find exactly what you’re looking for. This can also be a bit frustrating, however, when you find yourself with far more options than you know what to do with. That’s why it helps to choose a dealership that will work closely with you and assist with everything you need when looking at used cars for sale. While trucks work great for some people and SUVs are terrific for families, if you’re interested in a sporty and reliable daily driver that keeps your stops for gas minimal while ensuring you have a great time on the road, few options can match a pre-owned sedan. Today, we’re going to take you through some of our favorite used cars, and you’ll see that you have some fantastic options available to you.

Toyota Camry

First released in the early 1980s, the Camry is far from Toyota’s oldest model, but it’s certainly one of their most popular. Over more than 40 years, the Camry has earned numerous fans who keep coming back for its reliable performance and bold style. Originally released as a compact car, it’s grown into a midsize sedan over the years, making it a terrific option for a wide range of drivers. We’d suggest going with an eighth-generation version of the Camry, which was available from 2018 through 2024, ensuring you get some of the latest features and options. The 2021 model received a facelift, so watch for that and later models to get a revised exterior and enhanced interior features. You can find both standard and hybrid engines on these models, both of which offer excellent performance to enhance your drive each day.

A hand holding a smartphone next to the infotainment screen in a 2021 Honda Accord.

Honda Accord

Even older than the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord was first released in the mid-1970s, making it one of the older models still on the road. Even more impressive is that it’s remained in production since it was first released, without any gaps or pauses. You’d think it’s probably earned a lot of fans in that time, and you’d be absolutely right. Much like the Camry, it started off as a smaller compact model and has grown throughout the generations to become a modern midsize marvel. Honda is well known for making vehicles that hold up well over time with excellent reliability, so the Accord is a great one to go for when looking at used sedans. We’d suggest the tenth generation of the Accord, which ran from the 2018 model year through 2022, to find many modern conveniences and features. An Accord Hybrid model was released with this generation, so keep an eye out for that if you want great fuel efficiency. It received a mid-cycle update and facelift for 2021 with an enhanced interior.

Ford Fusion

One of the fun parts of shopping for used models is that you get to find great vehicles that, for one reason or another, have been discontinued. A fantastic example of this is the Ford Fusion, a sporty and impressive midsize sedan that didn’t stick around as long as we would’ve liked. First released for the 2006 model year, the Fusion lived up to its name as a remarkable combination of slick style, great performance, remarkable efficiency, and so much more. When it launched, it sat between the smaller Ford Focus and the full-size Taurus (consider those other two if you want a compact or larger used car). The second generation of the Fusion launched in the 2013 model year with a variety of engines available, including a hybrid. Ford gave the Fusion facelifts for 2017 and 2019, so keep those years in mind as you look at different used models. Ultimately, Ford discontinued the Fusion after 2019 to focus on SUVs and trucks.

Nissan Maxima

Hitting the road at the same time as the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Maxima was released in the early 1980s as a high-end version of the Datsun 810. In the mid-‘80s, Nissan began using their name here in the US rather than Datsun and this impressive model became known simply as the Nissan Maxima. Like many of the other models we’ve looked at, the Maxima is a midsize sedan, making it a terrific choice for a wide range of drivers. Numerous generations have been available throughout the years, but we’d suggest looking for an eighth-generation Maxima, which ran from the 2016 model year through 2023. This generation had a sleek, bold appearance reminiscent of a sports car, making it one of our favorites when looking at used sedans. The powerful V6 engine in this car reinforces its aesthetic, making for a great ride that you can count on for a long time.

Rear view of a silver 2023 Mazda3 hatchback.

Mazda3

If you’re looking for something smaller than most of the models we’ve looked at, consider the sporty and stylish Mazda3 as you explore different pre-owned options. More recent than the other imports we’ve looked at, the Mazda3 hit the road just before the Ford Fusion, kicking off with the 2003 model year. This started off as a compact car like the Accord and Camry, but it has remained in that class, so it’s a great choice if you want something for date nights, your daily commute, and running errands around town. When looking at your options, watch for a third-generation model (2014-2018) or one from the fourth generation, which started with the 2019 model year. The third-generation Mazda3 received a facelift in 2017, and anything from the current fourth generation will treat you well. You can also find the Mazda3 as a hatchback, so consider that if you want a car with functional cargo space inside.

Chevy Malibu

The first Chevy to use the Malibu name was a version of the Chevelle in the 1960s, but you don’t need to go quite that far back for a great used car. More recently, the Malibu returned as a midsize sedan starting with the 1997 model year, and it’s been a great option for a wide range of drivers ever since. For more than 20 years, the Malibu has been proving itself to be a reliable sedan, and its modern incarnation has sleek lines and curves that make it immediately appealing. We’d suggest a model from the current ninth generation for the Malibu, which started with the 2016 model year. Chevy gave the Malibu a mid-generation update and facelift for 2019, however, so that’s the best place to start if you want a car that looks great and has modern features inside.

Find the Perfect Used Car Today

No matter what you’re looking for in your next vehicle, there are plenty of options for you to choose from when exploring used cars. You have so many options, in fact, that things can start to feel overwhelming. That’s why you deserve to have someone by your side to help you explore what’s out there and ensure you find something perfect. Whether you’re interested in seeing what all the fuss was about with the Ford Fusion, want to try a Toyota Camry, or even take a powerful muscle car like the Dodge Charger for a spin, exploring used cars is a great way to do it. All that’s left is for you to consider what’s out there, decide which features you need, and then let us help you find the car you’ve been looking for.