11 Affordable Used Cars That Have Engines Just as Good As New
Written by
Vance Cariaga
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One of the advantages of buying a used car is that plenty of paperwork is available to give you a good idea of its market value, including the vehicle history report. With a new car, the value is largely determined by the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, or MSRP – and that value can sink by 10% or more the moment you drive it off the lot.
The main downside of a used car is that its engine might have tens of thousands of miles on it, which can lead to all kinds of problems if it hasn’t been properly serviced and maintained. That’s why it’s important to research models with reliable and highly rated engines. In some cases, you can find engines in used cars that perform as well or better than those in new cars.
According to experts from Autocar and Motor1, here are 11 affordable used cars with engines just as good as new. Remember that lower-priced cars tend to have more miles on them than those with higher prices.
2012 BMW 550i Sedan
The F10 BMW 5 Series dropped its predecessor’s 4.8-liter V8 for a smaller but twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter engine, according to Motor1. The new engine increased the car’s output from 360 horsepower to a “hearty” 400 HP and improved its 0 to 60 time by a half-second. The F10 generation also “marked the arrival” of a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Kelley Blue Book estimates that a 2012 BMW 550i Sedanin good condition with 85,000 miles on the odometer will cost about $7,930.
2014 Cadillac CTS Coupe
The 2014 Cadillac CTS Coupe comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 318 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. You should be able to find “a few well-kept examples” for as low as $9,034, according to Motor1.
2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS V6
This Camaro’s 3.6-liter engine provides 312 horsepower and is available with a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Although it doesn’t offer the V8 engine some car enthusiasts prefer, it has a lower price tag of about$9,270.
2012 Chrysler 300C
The Chrysler 300 has a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 363 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. Motor1 praises the car’s advanced (for 2012) technology package, which keeps it “feeling modern even by today’s standards.” Some models are priced at around $9,105.
2012 Dodge Charger R/T
This version of the Charger has a 5.7-liter V8 engine that provides 370 horsepower and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission. You should be able to find a 2012 Dodge Charger R/T for less than $10,000 if you“know where to look,” according to Motor1.
Ford Fiesta ST
Ford’s turbocharged 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine is a “fantasticlittle engine” that was “designed to rival the performance of bigger units more efficiently,” according to Autocar. The best used ST-3 cars can be found for about $11,500.
2012 Ford Taurus SHO w/ Performance Package
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO offers “pure performance” thanks to a Twin-Turbo, 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine that produces 365 horsepower. Motor1 recommends finding models with the Performance Package. Some are priced at around $9,100.
2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0
The Genesis launched in the 2009 model year and by 2012 was being offered with a massive 5.0-liter V8 engine that produced 429 horsepower. Motor1 calls it a “fine-handling, luxurious, high-tech, powerful luxury sedan” that can be bought for as low as $9,731.
Mazda RX-8
As Autocar noted, the RX-8 was the last model to offer the “delightfully rev-happy” 1.3-liter rotary engine, which made up for its relatively small size by being lightweight and offering 231 brake horsepower (bhp). You can find “decent examples” from 2008 or so for about $6,400.
2011 Saab 9-5 Aero: $8,936
According to Motor1, this model year was “near the end of the line for Saab as a going concern. The 9-5 has a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine with 300 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2011 model features an “all-new design” and comes with all-wheel drive. The typical cost is about $8,940.
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion Automatic
Autocar calls this Passat’s engine “truly unique” because of its 275 bhp, 4.0-liter W8 engine. The W8 was only produced for four years, and the Passat was its only recipient. Although used versions are rare, you can get one for as little as 3,000 British pounds (about $3,800), though prices can also range as high as about $11,500.
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