Buy Used Cars

Pre-owned vehicles sometimes make us think of old clunkers people take home from a dusty old vehicle showroom; but these days that’s not always the case. With the growing popularity of certified pre-owned vehicles program, there is actually a way to find a reliable used car for different price ranges and for a competitive market price. A survey conducted by J. D. Power, a company that conducts automotive consumer behavior analytics, reveals that there are nine pre-owned vehicle models that have the fewest reported problems in the first three years of ownership and that is why a vast majority of customers prefer them. Most of these featured vehicles are available through many certified pre-owned programs across the country. The list includes a wide range of vehicles from sports cars to sedans, cars and trucks and even some luxury models. Here is the list of the most reliable used car you can buy today:

1. BMW 2-series – considered the most reliable small premium car of 2017, this model is available as either a two-door coupe or convertible. It was also offered in two turbocharged models namely the four-cylinder 230i and the six-cylinder 240i. It is considered as one of the quickest cars on this list. This will no doubt mean a smooth drive along Portage Ave. in Winnipeg MB.
2. Buick Regal – Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are often preferred in terms of quality and reliability among mid-size sedans, but according to those surveyed by J. D. Power in 2017, the Buick Regal surpassed competition even in its last year of production. This is Buick’s most sporty model because with its four-cylinder engine, it is incredibly responsive on the road. It also has a front wheel chassis that’s been engineered in Europe with a sleek design in mind. It also comes with an infotainment system with on-board Wi-Fi, a large 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
3. Ford Mustang – a mid-size sports car that consumers report to be more reliable than its competition counterparts like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. It delivers the right mix of retro design, daily civility, and speed. It was marketed as a sleek fastback coupe or with a soft-top convertible. An interesting feature to the 2020 model is the FordPass Connect which allows owners to control several car features via their smartphones. When you use the FordPass Connect, owners can connect to their cars to check its status. You can also use the app to locate the car and to lock and unlock its doors. Those with automatic transmissions can use the remote start feature which allows for keyless entry.
4. Honda Civic – When driving along any Canadian road or highway like Portage Ave, it’s almost impossible not to see at least one Honda civic sedan or a civic coupe cruising around. This model is known for its top quality workmanship and reliability. In fact Hondas have a good record as one of the safest vehicles to drive. It is also long-lasting and can still be driven even with a mileage of 300,000+ kilometers. Even after two decades on the road, the civic sedan still remains one of the most popular among pre-owned vehicles in the market today compared to its bigger successors like the Honda HRV; or its improved version with body type modifications that allow for more usability; the civic hatchback.
5. Kia Forte – The new Forte just made it as the new favorite of car journalists for small cars beating out the Chevrolet Cruze and Nissan Sentra from tests of reliability, safety and design. This vehicle only has a 2.0 four-cylinder engine which is so basic that there are actually fewer parts and less machinery to break down and wear out.
6. Toyota RAV-4 – This small SUV is known for its comfort, reliability and low maintenance cost. Toyota RAV-4 is also popular to drivers who live in areas with icy and snowy road conditions such as in Winnipeg Manitoba, because of its winter tires. If you live in Winnipeg MB, where winters are truly harsh, wouldn’t need to buy tires to adjust to difficult road conditions if you are driving the RAV-4. It is wise to ask your dealership for a winter tire program or tire specials they may have on the RAV-4.
7. Honda CRV – is a compact crossover SUV that offers drivers a safe, comfortable and reliable driving experience for a reasonable price. It is one of the most popular cars Winnipeg residents prefer not only because of its overall performance but because of its reliable heated seating feature, among others. Heated seats are common features in most cars these days especially for an SUV in Winnipeg Manitoba area.
8. Honda Fit – is a subcompact five-door hatchback with the highest fuel-economy rating. It also offers the most space for people and cargo due to its excellent packaging and magic rear seat which can flip up as well as fold flat. Honda Fit is also among the cheapest cars to have a rear view camera.

Most of the vehicles cited above are available for purchase as pre-owned vehicles from any dealership in Winnipeg. A detailed vehicle information is usually provided and inventory specials happen pretty often. Schedule test drive now and see the quality of used cars Winnipeg dealerships like Ride Time offer. If you are looking to trade-in your pre-owned vehicles, this dealership in Winnipeg also does value your trade and offer great deals. Plus if you purchase from Ride Time you will become eligible for their Oil 4 Life Program which entitles you to a complimentary oil change once every 5,000. This and a lot of other vehicle specials are available from time to time.

Here are the best used cars to buy in 2021 per body type:

1. Best Compact Car: Hyundai Elantra – Often compared to its competitors the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford EcoSport, the Hyundai Elantra has a lot of positive traits, including a comfortable ride and excellent fuel economy. You can choose between hatchback and sedan body styles, both of which have ample cargo space and deliver a smooth ride. The interior of the Elantra is well-built and it has comfortable seats. This model also has a good predicted reliability rating. Even though it is not the most sporty vehicle in its class, it’s buttoned-down handling gives it a mild sporty feel. It also rides smoothly over different road conditions and has modes to choose from when you’re looking to adjust with the driving dynamics. Front wheel drive is standard for this car. The Elantra is also the more luxurious version of the Hyundai Accent.
2. Best Midsize Car: Honda Accord - The Honda Accord is widely considered as the BMW 3 Series of affordable sedans. It is the benchmark that other car manufacturers aspire to make because it is actually a car that drives much better than it should considering its price point. The Accord is affordable, easy to drive, and comes with a lot of helpful standard features. Your ride with it is smooth, even with a CVT equipped. Overall this is a car that is worth your investment. Honda has in the recent years worked out all its issues on its infotainment system.
3. Best Minivan: Toyota Sienna – often compared to its closest competitor the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna is the top Minivan to purchase this year. It’s style almost rivals that of an SUV. A standard 245HP hybrid powertrain gets a high fuel efficiency rating at 6.5L/100km. Because it is such a responsive car, there are no dull moments in driving it. Whether driving on snow, gravel or rain, Sienna’s all-wheel drive helps give you confidence to tackle on difficult road conditions.
4. Best Midsize SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe – This one has an upscale vibe and offers a more spacious cabin, great features and a lot of curb appeal. It also makes for an outstanding midsize SUV choice for would-be buyers. Its low price tag makes it fall on the list of the highly desired vehicles in the midsize SUV category.
5. Best Full-Size SUV: Ford Expedition - The Ford Expedition's styling shows the best of what a full-size SUV can offer. It offers remarkable comfort and capability with an upscale approach. It has a powerful turbocharged engine, a composed ride, and a spacious, elegant interior that’s spacious enough for eight people. It is considered the best in its class because it has the best combination of cargo and passenger space, safety and reliability ratings, positive reviews from automotive journalists, and available family-friendly features.

When choosing from two cars with the same year, make and model; the one with a lower mileage usually gets a higher valuation. However, cars with low kms on the odometer does not automatically mean a better deal. A typical driver usually puts on more than 20,000 kms per year. An average ten-year-old car therefore should have around 120,000 kilometers on the odometer. But looking at mileage alone can totally be misleading. For example if a car is driven by constant commuters such as sales representatives, you can expect their pre-owned vehicles to be well-maintained and kept in good repair. Rental cars are also some of the cheapest used cars available in the market. Even though most rental car odometers don’t register a low km, they are typically well-maintained and are generally newer model years; so when they are traded-in they are virtually left unchanged. Some rentals are even bought, maintained and traded-in on the same dealerships.

On the other hand, cars with less than 160,000 kms but have been with four different owners raises some red flags because repair and maintenance records can be difficult to acquire. Furthermore, there are also car owners that don’t drive often and could probably put in only 50,000 kms across a ten-year period. These cars also seem like their bodies are left unchanged, meticulously cleaned, and maintained, perhaps with Crown Detailing in Winnipeg even but since it is not used often it could mean dried-out seals and weakened battery. But that can be addressed and repaired easily. So how many kilomters are too many depends on a lot of factors. But when in doubt, always go for the 20,000-kms per year average and then do an in-depth model research about the car you are planning to purchase.

It is not a bad idea and there are actually quite a number of reasons why it’s good to buy a car that no longer registers a low km on the odometer. High-mileage cars usually come with a lower purchase price. So when you calculate payments you might not even need to apply for financing. Cars with over 160k kms on them also depreciate at a much slower rate. Insurance is also cheaper on these kinds of cars. In addition, the reliability of cars in general are getting better and better. So this means that cars with high mileage on them are more likely to last a long time.

1. Decide on your budget – A good rule of thumb for this is that if you apply for credit, your car payment should not be more than 20% of your take-home pay. If on a tight budget, you may even want to spend less because used cars will need extra maintenance. But it would be safe to get in touch with the finance departments of dealerships as they may have good deals for you especially if you are refinancing an old debt like getting 90 days no payments. Newcomers to Canada also get special deals as most dealerships also grant loans for newcomers.
2. Build a Target List of Used Vehicles – Most dealerships in Winnipeg MB have a saved vehicles option that allows you to browse their inventory and save your preferred options. If you are looking to save money, you have to consider more than one brand.
3. Check and Compare Prices – pre-owned vehicles are available in many places in Canada. A simple search on the internet using your postal code will reveal locations of used car dealerships with certified pre-owned cars. CPO cars usually cost more as they come with a dealership guarantee. Ride Time offers competitive prices. Meet our staff or shop online to get the best deals on preowned vehicles. We have a wide range of vehicles available from coupes to sedans and may even have heavy duty trucks like the Ford Super Duty available.
4. Check the Vehicle History Report – Use AutoCheck to reveal vital information about the car you are buying. Check if it has a salvage title or if there’s been any roll back in its odometer because that usually indicates that it has been declared a total loss by insurance companies.
5. Contact your dealership – Ride Time has an online shopping option that you can take advantage of. You can get vehicle information from the website by choosing from their vast inventory; or you can build your car with your own preferences and a Personal Customer Experience Experts will guide you in every step. You can even apply for online credit and get an online credit approval without the need to leave your home. Pertinent documents will be collected from you for validation purposes. We will then give you a final deal sheet which will be based on our online credit approval system and your eligibility to purchase.
6. Schedule test drive – Test-driving a used car is the best way for you to know if the car is right for you. Ride Time has an online booking form you can use to book a schedule.
7. Have the Car Delivered – One of our specialists will deliver your car to your home and will bring all the paperwork for you to sign. We will also assist you in setting up your car’s Bluetooth phone connection and call you to go over all the features of your chosen car. This way instead of driving away from the dealership after purchase, you can drive from home.

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to buying pre-owned vehicles. Some consider colour, some even the gearbox or for others the fuel type. But the one thing that’s given the most priority is mileage. It is recommended however that it is better to buy a new car with a higher mileage than an older car that registers low mileage on its odometer. This is because car parts especially those made of rubber experience wear and tear over a period of time regardless of the kms recorded. Cars also need to be driven so it lubricates itself over time by burning up carbon build up inside its engine allowing it to last longer. When cars are not driven often, then there are less fluid changes over its lifetime. It is also worthy to consider that cars with higher mileages are much more affordable than its equivalent with low mileage; so purchasing one will actually enable you to save cash on future repairs.

Mileage is one of the most important determining factors for the price of a used vehicle. It usually indicates how much wear and tear has been put on the car so it is therefore logical that a car with more kms will usually be less expensive than the same car with fewer kms on it. Most car parts’ longevity is based on mileage especially if we talk about the engine and suspension as these are parts that often need serious maintenance after thousands of kms on the road. However there are different types of kms put on a preowned vehicle. For example a car driven in the city will show much more wear than a car that’s mostly driven on highways. In addition a car with a dedicated owner will last longer despite the kms, with constant maintenance and upkeep. At the end of the day, the condition of the vehicle is the most important factor when determining whether to purchase a preowned vehicle. A low-mileage vehicle that is not maintained properly may be worse that the one with high mileage but is maintained well. At the end of the day it is still about how previous owners treat their rides.

1. Hyundai Sonata – The Hyundai Sonata is not the fastest car around, but it's a great car that hits all of the notes many buyers care about. It has a quiet, upscale interior with spacious seats and a lot of tech features. Driving the Sonata is generally smooth, and it has a good predicted reliability rating and a long warranty. Hyundai sonata vehicles will last even beyond 300,000 kms before the engine experiences any major issues. It is truly a vehicle that’s built to last.
2. Kia Rio – Kia Rio is often compared to the Hyundai Accent. It offers an engaging ride and has a strong predicted reliability rating. Kia Rio’s style leans towards the more athletic and it’s cabin is spacious enough to give comfort to its passengers.
3. Toyota Corolla – The Toyota Corolla is a used car legend. It is known for its legendary durability and reliability. It is also one of the most popular cars in the market today. Its popularity has remained throughout the years because it's simple, affordable, and reliable. Toyota markets to the people who care little for amenities and just want a car that gets them from one point to the next.
4. Volkswagen Jetta – For people who want an affordable compact car with a high fuel efficiency, then the Volkswagen Jetta might be the car you are looking for. It has a 147HP turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives smoothly on the road. Despite that engine power, the Jetta only consumes less fuel and even costs less than its closest hatchback counterpart the VW Golf.
5. Subaru Crosstrek – The Subaru Crosstrek has makes you feel as if you are driving a car but it has more ground clearance. It also has a more truck-like style with the ability to be plugged in as a hybrid. The Crosstrek also has an all-weather security system and practical features owners would enjoy. Its interior is likewise welcoming and comfortable. The Crosstek comes is an all-wheel drive which is good for most road conditions. This is standard for this vehicle which is different from other SUVs wherein the all-wheel drive is sometimes optional only or it is not even offered at all.
6. Kia Soul – With an unique appearance and a cabin with a lot of room, the Kia Soul is a stylish and practical vehicle that you can buy for a reasonable price. When buying a Kia Soul you either get the gas-powered four-cylinders version which is powered by a 201 HP turbocharged engine or the up and coming electric version. Driving the Soul on the road is smooth and the powertrain options available perform quite well. The Kia Soul is a good buy because it lasts for about 300,000 kms without experiencing any sort of engine trouble.
7. Ford Focus Electric – Ford Focus Electric is a winner on two fronts. First, it keeps your gas consumption in check. Second, it offers an extended mileage on a charge. Depending on how you drive and what features you use, the Ford Focus Electric can travel for more kms than most hybrid vehicles. For vehicle owners looking to save cash and time, a used Ford Focus is the best purchase.