Exclusive CR discount for Talking Cars viewers at cr.org/jointalkingcars
Purchasing a used car is an excellent way to save money, with over 36 million pre-owned vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2023 alone, more than doubling new car purchases. Our experts at CR have meticulously analyzed exclusive test and survey data to pinpoint the best pre-owned cars across different price ranges, helping consumers make informed decisions for a better shopping experience. In this week's episode, we explore the standout features of CR's new Used Car Buying Guide, offer tips for navigating the used car market, and address audience questions about CR's approach to vehicle software updates and mid-generation refreshes—detailing how significant an update must be to warrant review or reassessment.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 – Intro
2:20 – CR Used Car Hub
3:00 – How to start shopping for a used car
8:34 – What makes a CR Recommended used vehicle?
11:00 – Best used car brands
13:35 – Used car Top Picks
16:27 – What are vehicle model years and generations?
18:35 – What is a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle?
22:51 – Audience questions
23:10 – Question #1, Irv from Normal, IL: How does CR react to rapidly changing technology like over-the-air vehicle software updates?
26:47 – Question #2, Jonathan from Phoenix, AZ: How does CR account for vehicle changes that happen later in a vehicle model year?
LINKS:
Submit a question to Talking Cars:
CR Used Cars Hub:
CR Used Car Ratings & Reliability:
CR Used Car Marketplace:
CR Used Car Buying Guide:
Nice. Miss the podcast. Love the new design. Great job 👏🏻
Loving Jen’s hair!
13:35 rented a brand new Cruze from that gen some years back, and the interior and exterior trims were “coming off” 😂
Useful topic if there is one. ..A How to guide? ..Not only the brand/model. .. Ownership #s, Adherence to service schedule;. Service records, collision history? .. The Frau’s 2020 Subi OB XT @52K miles, well kept, no auto car washes, etc. would make a great used car. .. Read Value.
Our 2023 MB E450 wagon is @14K miles and 15 months old. .. It’s an expensive luxo-barge “Road Trip” wagon. .. See us in 10 years for the MB as a used car. .. Cheers, Vail, Colorado
New cars usually are more reliable than used cars. However, the worst car I ever owned was a new Dodge I bought many years ago. It was such a money pit. Sure, the factory warranty covered most problems the first 3 years, but even that was a pain because I was without my car so many times when it was being repaired. I held onto it way too long. I have only bought used Toyotas the past decade or so. My current used Toyota was from the first year of a redesign. It has been very reliable the four years I have owned it, with only regular maintenance costs.
Jake makes an excellent point; CPO factory dealership warranty Vs a private sale Bob’s warranty. . A factory used car CPO while not as comprehensive as a New Car warranty, but it’s close. . Read the CPO document.