Need Help Choosing a Used Vehicle? You’ll Want to Read This!

Some people go into a dealership because they saw a listing online for a vehicle they already know they’ll purchase. Others––the ones who make up the majority––may need some assistance in learning about the current market and which vehicles are worth buying used. You may have thought to yourself, “with so many used cars for sale near me, which one is worth buying, and how would I know?” That’s where Pearson Ford comes in because our dealership has a vast selection that crushes the competition at the best prices. The vehicle you purchase shouldn’t be just any vehicle. The car you purchase should fit your wants and needs, and matching your budget doesn’t hurt either. 

First and foremost, your needs should take priority. Don’t look at sedans if you need a vehicle for towing. Think about what you will use the car for most and find a body style that matches those needs. The best part about most models on the used market, however, is that just because you have needs doesn’t mean you can’t also get the things you want. Nowadays, you can buy a truck that tows a few thousand pounds and still includes high-end tech features. Here at Pearson Ford, our used lot has more than Ford vehicles, so if you’re looking for something else, we’ve got you covered. However, we’re the perfect place for you if you’re a Ford enthusiast. Let’s begin with some of our favorite choices you should consider when you start shopping for your used vehicle. 

The Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is popular enough that you’ve either owned one, have sat in one, or at least know someone who drives one. Its constant presence that calls for multiple F-150s passing you by daily is not a coincidence. The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America. Many people believe SUVs are the most popular type of vehicle in America. The thought process behind SUVs holding the spot as the most popular vehicle mostly comes down to their rapid growth in popularity in the late ’90s and through the turn of the millennium. However, Americans like trucks, and Ford is the best around for such a thing. 

If you’re shopping for a pre-owned truck, you should at least look at the F-150 before you purchase anything. One glance at some available F-150 models is all it takes to pique the interest of most drivers because their quality is that palpable. The F-150 derives from the F-Series of pickup trucks, which has generational ties to the original Model T. The F-Series of pickup trucks are some of the best you can purchase on the used market because they’ve been one of Ford’s flagships for decades, so there is a wide variety of them available at a range of prices. There have been fourteen generations of the F-150, with the most recent having kicked off with the 2021 F-150. 

The Ford Escape

The Ford Escape has been around for over twenty years and has become one of the most popular compact SUVs ever. Within that time, Chevy––arguably Ford’s most notable competitor––released the Chevy Equinox, which has undoubtedly kept Ford on its toes. However, the Escape is regularly the better option for performance, cargo space, and more. Who should purchase the Ford Escape? Like other compact SUVs on the market, those who should consider a compact SUV are the ones who need a vehicle with more cargo space and versatility than a majority of sedans on the market and need a car with respectable performance and fuel efficiency.

When shopping for a Ford Escape, you can choose between four generations of this beloved compact SUV. For a solid blend of price and performance, you’ll want to look for an Escape from the third generation (2013-2019), but models released for the fourth generation (2020-present) are becoming more and more affordable. One of the most notable changes with the fourth-generation Escape models is a new pair of powertrains to replace the available three from the prior models like the 2019 Escape. Both the turbocharged 1.5L I-3 engine and turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine seen on fourth-generation models like the 2020 Escape outperform their predecessors while retaining the fuel efficiency we saw on the earlier Escape models. 

The Chevy Camaro

The Chevy Camaro is a classic. When you want a sleek style that doesn’t break the bank, it doesn’t get much better than the Camaro. Aside from the Camaro being an American classic, with its original production run lasting between the mid-1960s and the turn of the millennium and a re-release of the model in 2010 to the current day, the Camaro has a long history rooted in pop culture. There’s no better example of the Camaro gliding back into the cultural mainstream than the iconic yellow and black Bumblebee from the Transformers franchise. The Camaro provides a stylish, luxurious ride and ample power to boot. 

You can’t go wrong with any Camaro model from 2010 onwards. However, it’s worth noting the Camaro started its sixth generation in 2016, so if you want some of the latest tech and features, 2016 to now are the years you’ll want to target. The standard turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine joined the lineup with the 2016 Camaro, which is still in use as of the release of the 2023 Camaro. If you are someone with the need for speed, you’ll want to find a Camaro model with the 6.2L Supercharged V8 that delivers 650 horsepower. The wide variety of choices you have with the Camaro is something that continues to draw buyers back time and again. 

The Ford Expedition

The best way to describe a full-size SUV is a sizable vehicle with excellent towing performance but with up to three times the amount of passenger seating. The Ford Expedition is one of the most popular full-size SUVs available. If you have a large family, this is the vehicle for you because it seats up to eight comfortably and offers tons of cargo space. Plus, this SUV is a towing machine, with models from the past few years able to tow up to 9,300 lbs when equipped with towing gear. What’s not to love?

Depending on which model year Expedition you buy, you can opt for either the regular Expedition or the larger Expedition Max models. The Expedition Max models are much larger than their contemporaries. For example, the 2021 Ford Expedition Max offers a minimum of 36 cu.ft. of space against the 20.9 cu.ft. of the non-Max models. Additionally, folding down both rows of seats provides 121.5 cu.ft. of space in the 2021 Expedition Max and 104.6 cu.ft. in the non-Max model. As you can see, even the largest SUVs around can offer plenty of customization options so you can check off as many of your wants and needs in one vehicle as possible. 

Why Not Treat Yourself?

The best part about shopping for a used vehicle is that you’re the one who will ultimately decide which car will be the one taking over the empty spot in your driveway. It’s our job to guide you to the right vehicle by getting to know what you want and need out of your next ride. We will take you through as many options as you need to see until you find the perfect model. The used market has a wide variety of options out there, so you can tailor your choice to suit you, and we will never pressure you into buying a car that you don’t like. So, when you’re looking for a used car for sale near you, have some fun with the process and come to Pearson Ford to check out our exciting inventory of models.