4 Cars That Can Cost More Used Than New
Written by
Andrew Lisa
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Amber Barkley
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The whole point of buying a used car is to save money by letting the original owner eat the depreciation. However, the current auto industry has forced higher prices on some used models, so much so that it can actually be cheaper to buy them brand new.
“While it may seem counterintuitive, there are a few key factors that can drive up demand and costs for secondhand rides,” said automotive engineer and consultant William Green, who worked as a transmission control engineer at Ricardo, a vehicle validation coordinator at McLaren, and a control and simulation engineer at Contract Innovation. “The main culprit? Limited supply fails to meet insatiable consumer appetites.”
No matter the model year or whether you’re looking for a sports car, luxury SUV or just something that is fuel efficient, what you can expect to pay at the dealership and what used cars are worth has shifted in the last few years. Car owners looking to save thousands of dollars on a used Toyota Corolla or old Tesla model may have to adjust to a new price range — regardless of the effect President Trump’s tariff policy may have on the industry, as well.
With all of that in mind, here’s a look at four vehicles that might be cheaper to buy new than used.
Ford Bronco
Ford resurrected one of its most beloved and rugged discontinued vehicles four years ago as an answer to the Jeep, and shortly after that, the laws of supply and demand — and an overheated used market — put a premium on certified pre-owned models with a good vehicle history.
“Although there has been overwhelming interest in the reintroduced Ford Bronco, production issues coupled with supply chain interruptions have led to extensive wait times,” said Ranjeet Singh, owner of Eco Autos. “People who are not willing to wait anymore cannot help but increase the prices that used models go for.”
The 2025 Bronco starts at between $39,890 to $77,530, depending on the package, and a quick search on Carfax shows several models from 2023 and 2024 at, near or even above the MSRP for a brand-new one.
Toyota Sienna
The Bronco wasn’t the only vehicle whose long-term production fell short of sky-high demand when clogged supply chains and soaring auto inflation sent the car pricing of used vehicles skyward.
“A similar story played out with Toyota’s redesigned Sienna minivan in 2021,” said Green. “Families anxious to get their hands on this comfortable hauler found themselves facing extensive waitlists. Cue the used market stepping in, with one-year-old Siennas listing at or above MSRP to meet the pent-up demand.”
According to Car and Driver, the Sienna was that year’s best-selling minivan, with buyers gobbling up 107,990 units, more than double the 42,885 Siennas sold the year before and far ahead of the No. 2 Honda Odyssey’s 76,125 units sold.
The completely redesigned 2021 model got rave reviews, with Kelley Blue Book naming it not only the top-ranked minivan of the year and one of the 12 best family vehicles but also the Best Resale Value award winner — and its negligible depreciation keeps used models expensive.
The 2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid goes for $40,635 to $58,355, but Carfax is listing multiple used LEs for more.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Even some luxury vehicles, which are known for rapid depreciation, can cost more used than new. One of them is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which Green called a “boxy, brutishly handsome SUV that oozes equal parts luxury and capability.”
“Demand for these Gelandewagens has long exceeded Mercedes’ ability to produce them,” he said. “As such, low-mileage used G-Wagons can easily fetch six-figure price tags rivaling or surpassing the cost of a factory order.”
The 2025 model starts at $148,250, but there are many 2022 and 2023 models listed on Carfax for more than $190,000.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Diesel
Trucks are expensive vehicles, and those with powerful, economical and specialized engines can hold their value well enough to outprice comparable new models.
“Diesel trucks cost more to begin with and retain their value better than gas engine trucks, because they’re more durable and statistically can reach higher mileage,” said Melanie Musson, an auto expert with AutoInsurance.org.
As proof, she cited the Chevy Silverado 3500 diesel, with the 2025 model starting at $46,500. A quick Carfax search shows 2022 models for more than $60,000.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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Sources
- Ranjeet Singh, Eco Autos
- Melanie Musson, AutoInsurance.org
