Car Advice

Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Hybrid

With fuel prices in some areas of the country remaining over $5 a gallon, many consumers are taking a second look at buying a hybrid vehicle rather than a conventional vehicle. A hybrid typically offers significantly better fuel economy than the equivalent gasoline-powered version. For example, the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid has an EPA fuel economy rating of 52 miles per gallon combined versus 33 miles per gallon combined for the conventional Corolla. The EPA pegs the annual fuel cost for the Corolla Hybrid at $1,100 compared to $1,700 for the conventional Corolla. But while better fuel economy is appealing, it has to be weighed against some of the cons of buying a hybrid. Among them are higher acquisition cost and the potential they will be more difficult and more expensive to service. Before you run out to buy a used hybrid you should consider the pros and cons of buying a used hybrid. We have it for you right here.

How Many Miles Is Too High for a Used Car?

How many miles is too many? The short answer is, it depends. The longer answer is, there’s no hard-and-fast rule on how many miles a car has done, especially if the car has been lovingly maintained and held to a high standard of care. That said, the chances of something serious and expensive going wrong increase with every passing year and mile, so you’re signing up for more risk either way. That said, there are a few things to remember when shopping for high-mileage cars. Let’s take a look...

AWD vs. 4WD: What's the Difference Between Them

Decades ago, most cars were rear-wheel drive, requiring drivers to strap on snow chains when the weather turned nasty. That started to change when front-wheel drive became more prevalent, but it wasn’t until all-wheel drive showed up that the game truly changed. Subaru pioneered AWD in mass-market cars in the 1970s, and Audi used the technology with great success in Group B Rally racing. That said, four-wheel drive has been around quite a bit longer than all-wheel drive, though its use was initially limited to commercial and military applications. Today, four-wheel drive is common and is gospel in off-road communities because of its ruggedness and ability to tackle serious off-road terrain. Which system is best for you, and which is best overall? We compared the two to help you get a feel for what they are, how they work, and which might be best for your driveway.

Finding the Best Value for Your Used Truck

Trucks can be incredibly useful vehicles, but even the best pickups can outlive their welcome. Over time, the miles and wear can start to make a once-great truck feel a little stale. When it’s time for an upgrade, many people choose to sell their old trucks to make room for a new one and to help offset the costs of buying. It doesn’t matter whether you own the truck outright, or if you have a loan. You can still sell it. The process looks a little different in each situation, but the outcome is the same: You get rid of an old truck and get cash or credit toward a new one. It’s easy to sell a truck, and there are a variety of ways to do so. But where and how you sell can have a big impact on the amount of money you receive. We’ve outlined the most popular ways to sell a truck to help you get started on the right foot.

How to Assess the Value of your Used Car

Selling a car can be a real pain, and can take more time than you think. Beyond taking pictures and listing the vehicle for sale, you’ve got to make sure you understand the condition and history to properly represent the car. You’ll also need to gather all of your paperwork and have everything in order before you begin. All of that, and we haven’t even gotten to one of the most important steps in the process: Finding the value for your used car. It's easy to login to any number of websites today and get the value of your car. The process is quick, free, and painless, and will give you a good idea of where to start with your asking prices. There’s more to know about getting your car’s value than that, so we’re here to help.