I'm a Car Expert: 5 Cars First-Time Buyers Can Trust
When shopping for a car, first-time buyers need something affordable that they can trust.
“You probably don’t have a lot of money, so you can’t spend a lot, but you also can’t afford to get a car that’s cheap and breaks down frequently,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org.
If you’re leasing a new car, depending on your budget, many brands are fairly reliable, according to Zoriy Birenboym, CEO of eAutoLease.com.
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“Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota and Honda [are] super reliable and as per luxury cars, I stand behind Lexus and BMW as very reliable,” Birenboym said.
Here’s a look at five cars car that experts recommend for first-time buyers.
Honda Civic
“One of the best cars for a first-time buyer is a 10-year-old Honda Civic,” Musson said. “A well-cared-for Civic will last about 50% longer than other similar cars, so even a 10-year-old model should provide years of reliable service.”
According to RepairPal, the Honda Civic has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 and the average annual repair cost is only $386 compared to an average of $652 for all vehicles.
Mazda3
Alan Gelfand, owner at German Car Depot in Hollywood, Florida, recommends the Mazda3, which he described as often underrated but still offers a great driving experience at a low cost.
“From the mechanic's perspective, it's also a well-built car with very few problems that occur frequently and when they do, they're pretty simple to fix,” Gelfand said.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry also earned a good rating from RepairPal. The Camry has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, with an average annual repair cost of $388.
“Look for a 5- to 10-year-old model,” Musson said. “A Toyota Certified Preowned can be a good option because Toyota has essentially given it its stamp of approval.”
Subaru Outback
“Check out a 5-year-old Subaru Outback. You’ll pay a lot less than you would for a new car, but you’ll still get excellent safety features and AWD,” Musson said.
According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a 2021 Subaru Outback has a KBB Fair Purchase Price between $18,950 and $22,600, depending on the trim level. This is lower than the average used car listing price of $25,390 in March, KBB reported.
Toyota Corolla
“A safe option for a new driver would be to look into purchasing a Toyota Corolla. The Corolla is known for lasting well over 200,000 miles while only requiring basic repairs,” Gelfand said. “This makes it a very reliable car for a new driver to purchase, as long as you have found a good model year to begin with.”
According to Autotrader, the last two generations of the Toyota Corolla (2014-current) are good buys. But if you also want Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or a hybrid engine, then only a 2020 or newer Corolla will have all three.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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