Subcompact cars still worth their weight in gold
Not everyone wants an SUV or pickup truck, despite what some automakers seem to think. This is especially true with the price increases of recent years, which have made these vehicles less and less accessible to many people.
Going for a small car has its advantages. Granted, they too have seen their prices rise since the pandemic. If you're on a budget, there's the second-hand market. After exploding for a while due to limited new inventories, things have settled down again, but a quick scan of dealerships and private ads reveals some amazing stuff.
Among other things, small cars that have disappeared from the new market are still very valuable and command high prices.
The Toyota Yaris is one of the best examples. Announcements at over $20,000 are not uncommon. We're talking 2020 and sometimes 2019 models. The proof: a 2019 Yaris 5-door LE with automatic transmission (4-speed!), which initially retailed for $18,015, now claims a price $2,000 higher despite having more than 42,000 km on the clock.
The Honda Fit, which was discontinued the same year as its Japanese rival, is in the same situation. Expect to pay $11,000 or more for a 2015 or newer model with between 100,000 and 150,000 km on the clock. A 2019 Fit Sport with CVT transmission and 26,000 km on the odometer, like the one pictured at the top of this article, comes in at just under $24,000. Again, more expensive than new.
Although less renowned for its reliability, a 2019 Ford Fiesta approaching $17,000 is possible. Ditto for a 2019 Nissan Micra, or even a Hyundai Accent with over 106,000 km already on the clock.
If you're thinking of buying a used car, be sure to read our tips, such as these 4 things to keep in mind when calculating your purchase. And happy shopping!
