You and I both know that there are so many choices of cars, trucks, and SUVs that you could choose to own when it’s time to purchase a new or used vehicle. We’ve talked about this before on many occasions.
We’ve also talked about the cars that are great bargains, the ones that hold up the best, and the ones that maybe should be avoided. But, what about the ones that are overlooked, taken for granted, or just ignored? With so many options, it’s easy for a few to get lost in the shuffle.
Here is a list of the cars, along with the reasons, that you should seriously consider when it comes time to get your next vehicle, even though nobody else will tell you that:
Mazda MX-5 Miata:
Photo: Courtesy of Car and Driver
“Great… So you’re telling me that I should consider a small, two-seat sports car as my next vehicle?! Why would you ever tell me to buy something like that?” Here’s why:
Sure, the Mazda Miata only seats two people and it’s small. What you’ll only hear from the people that own them is just how good they are. They are notoriously reliable, get better gas mileage than whatever SUV or car you already have, and they are dirt cheap to buy.
You can pick up a first or second generation Mazda Miata for $5000 or less with less than 100,000 miles. You can find one that runs great for $2000 or less. The insurance rates on these aren’t anything to write home about either. It only will put you back about the same as your average family sedan.
Even a new or gently used one won’t make you dip into your savings to buy one. They are the best bargain on wheels that anybody could get.
You’ve heard of people buying motorcycles to go back and forth from work to save gas, haven’t you? Buying a Miata isn’t too much different. This could easily be the best run-around car or third vehicle you’ll ever own.
Nissan Frontier/Xterra:
Photo: Courtesy of Motor Trend
The media will tell you that the Frontier is too old school, and the Xterra has gotten shoved out of the boxing ring by the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and even the Toyota FJ Cruiser.
The Frontier’s outdated styling and lack of high-end tech are exactly what makes it the perfect pickup, if you’re in the market for one. Pickups have become high-end luxury cruisers with the added benefit of having some hauling space. The Frontier is a legitimate work truck, albeit a smaller one. Because of its design, it’s remained tried and true, not falling for the “pickup truck is the new luxury vehicle” fad.
The Xterra is basically the Frontier in SUV form, and unfortunately, Nissan doesn’t make them anymore. Lucky for you, they still have plenty of used ones to choose from.
The Xterra has some serious off-road capability. They can be easily modified to suit your own “hardcore SUV” preferences, and you can still pack up your family at the end of your romp through the trails and go home. Not only that, but they are cheaper than the Wrangler, 4Runner, and FJ Cruiser, which also isn’t made anymore.
Ford Ranger:
Rumored to be on the way back into the U.S. market, the Ford Ranger has been left out of the pickup race since 2011. Trucks and SUVs are all the rage again, and we really wish the American version of the Ranger would still be around to see it.
Even though you will have to find a used one, they aren’t incredibly hard to find. A mint condition one is difficult to find. Most were used as work trucks, as they should have been, but they are quite affordable even if it has low mileage and a clean Carfax.
They aren’t very large, because Ford never made them with four full-size doors. They do get the job done if you are looking for a sturdy pickup that gets better gas mileage than some of the full size trucks of today.
In a classic case of simple ignorance, the Ranger isn’t in the “don’t buy” category, but rather, it’s often overlooked as an outdated vehicle. That makes it easier for you to get one.
Kia Forte:
Like the Ford Ranger, the Kia Forte just gets overlooked. Unlike the Ford Ranger, the Kia Forte is a small car that happily gives its owner over 30 miles per gallon of gas mileage.
Kia is one of the Consumer Reports most reliable and best brands, but all the attention goes to the new Stinger, Kia Rio, and their lineup of SUVs.
For both new and used models, the Forte is extremely inexpensive, both to run and to own, and just about every body style is offered, including a four door sedan, two door coupe, and five door hatchback.
Volkswagen Passat:
Photo: Courtesy of Motor Trend
We all know what happens when a scandal breaks out, especially one as big as the Volkswagen “Diesel-gate” incident.
Even before that happened, the Passat has played second fiddle to the Golf, Jetta, and Beetle. The good news is, it still does, and it’s there for your taking.
A new one can be just as expensive as any other mid-size car, but with any other mid-size car, you don’t get the Volkswagen refinement and charm that’s inherently present in the Passat. The fit-and-finish is excellent, and there’s a feeling of security and safety that comes with each vehicle.
New one are already reasonably priced, but rapid depreciation means that the Passat can be had for much less than comparable mid-sized cars as a used option. Don’t believe me? Go find one today, try it out, and I’m sure you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.
Kia Cadenza:
Photo: Courtesy of Car and Driver
By a show of hands, how many of you have heard of the Kia Cadenza? I thought so… How many can even pronounce Cadenza? Yep… I thought as much. Well, no matter what you know about this car, just know it’s probably one of the better cars you and everyone else has never heard of.
The features and luxury offered by the Cadenza is good enough for anybody who has dreamed of owning a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes, but just can’t bring themselves to pay the price and maintenance costs of any of those other luxury cars. In other words, it’s enough luxury to get anybody by, unless they happen to be particularly picky.
It’s a large car, with a V6 engine, and just about 300 horsepower readily available. It gets decent gas mileage. It has all the safety features and tech that a family would need. Oh yeah… and it’s a Kia, one of the highest rated brands anybody can buy today, according to Consumer Reports.
So, if you’re looking for luxury, but just can’t quite deal with the whole BMW, Audi, or Mercedes way of life, the Kia Cadenza is for you.
E36 BMW M3:
Yep, it’s another sports car, but before you say anything else, you can get these with four doors. Some also come with two doors, and some are offered as convertibles.
The E36 M3, manufactured from 1992-1999, was the second generation of BMW M3, but it’s also the cheapest. The value of other generations of M3 models have skyrocketed over the past couple years. The fact that the E36 hasn’t had that happen yet is good for you. But, you will need to hurry.
The least appreciated M3 still allows the average person to get a taste of one of the definitive greatest cars ever made. They are pretty reliable too. Of course, if something does break, it’s still a BMW, but we’ll overlook that for now.
The historic BMW M3 models have defied the general idea that cars are a waste of money rather than an investment, and the last to embrace that calling is the E36 BMW M3.
Sensible car experts will most likely never tell you to get one of these. Even enthusiasts consider this generation M3 a little less beloved than the others. We think you should get one. You will have a special car, and one that may reap the benefits of appreciation rather than depreciation within the next several years.
Ford Flex:
Photo: Courtesy of Car and Driver
When is the last time you heard anything about the Ford Flex or even saw one on the road? If your answer was either, “never” or, “not in a long time”, you aren’t alone.
The Flex is one of the best, most overlooked vehicles of the past 50 years or so. Combining just about the perfect blend of “minivan-ness” and “SUV-ness,” it is very nearly the perfect vehicle for any occasion.
Yet, nobody buys them.
I blame the polarizing design, lack of a really good advertising campaign, and its own family members. That’s right! The super-popular Explorer and Expedition overshadow the Flex, and the smaller Escape appeals to the more mainstream SUV-buyers.
Pricing for a new or used Flex is just about what you’d expect for its size and amenities, but what you get is one of the best all-around vehicles you can buy from any manufacturer. But just be careful… If the secret gets out about the Flex, you won’t be getting into one at any less than a premium price.
Mazda RX-8:
Photo: Courtesy of Car and Driver
Yes, another sports car makes the list, but again, it isn’t all that unusable.
It is a true sports car, but it also has a trick up its sleeve. It actually has four doors! Even though it only seats four, the back doors open opposite the front doors. These are often referred to as “suicide doors” and they make it pretty easy to get into the back.
The Mazda RX-8 is widely regarded as one of the best handling cars ever made and one of the most fun ever to drive. It’s not very powerful, but it feels faster than it is because of its superb handling. Mazda doesn’t make them anymore, and examples can be found with under 100,000 miles for as little as $5000.
All of this sound too good to be true? Well, it sort of is.
The Mazda RX-8 was equipped with the notoriously unreliable and hard-to-maintain rotary engine. In a classic case of “the best when it works,” if you are willing to learn about the rotary and maintain it properly, you could own one of the best sports cars ever made for next to nothing.
Suzuki SX4 Crossover:
Photo: Courtesy of Motor Trend
The SX4 Crossover is another perfect example of a vehicle that was just overlooked. Nobody really paid attention to it, and it’s a shame.
They are small, cheap, and pretty reliable. Only available in the U.S. market from 2006-2014, there was a sedan version alongside the Crossover that only offered front-wheel drive, as you’d expect.
The SX4 Crossover was actually ahead of its time. It was the first subcompact SUV, and if Suzuki had survived the U.S. market to today, it might have done alright. Closer to a car than an SUV, the Crossover offered all-wheel drive!
It’s a fantastic car if you don’t mind having one that isn’t too keen on the performance side of things. Though small, the all-wheel drive and hatch gave the car added usability that the average family will find more than adequate.
There aren’t a large number of them around anymore, but the ones that are available are extremely affordable. They also aren’t extremely uncommon, so you may want to get one while you can. They’re definitely a bargain to be had.
Each of these cars and trucks have their own reasons you’ve been advised against buying them, or you’ve never considered them. Some have simply been forgotten while others present technical challenges not for the faint of heart. Some aren’t practical for families, but could be fantastic commuter and work vehicles that will last for a long time. Some are just downright fun!
Whatever the reason for their lack of consideration, you should change that in the near future. Nearly all of them are very affordable for various reasons. Each could be a fantastic edition to your garage given the correct circumstances.
Just give them a chance. The will not disappoint!
