Five Underrated Cars That Will Give You Your Money’s Worth
Updated on May 06 2024
Buy Great Value Cars and Do Yourself a Favor
There are many factors to consider when buying a car. Some common questions you’ll be asking yourself are: “Will I buy brand new?” or “Should I be practical and buy a used car instead?” After weighing your options, you’ve finally decided on buying a second hand car. Now the next question is, “Which car should I buy?”
Buying a car is an investment, whether brand-new or pre-owned. This is why as buyers, we always want to make sure that we are getting our money’s worth. Luckily though, there are cars worth a lot more, but happen to be so undervalued since they’re not receiving the love they deserve.
As they tend to be underappreciated, they come at a low price tag. This doesn't mean, however, that their price reflects their worth! As a smart and practical buyer, it’s a wise decision to use this to your advantage. These underrated cars just might be the gems you’re looking for.
1.HYUNDAI ELANTRA
The Hyundai Elantra is the South Korean brand’s entry to the compact sedan category. Although it hasn’t been as popular as its better-known rivals Toyota Altis and Honda Civic, the underrated Elantra is an amazing buy.
Sophisticated and elegant, the Hyundai Elantra is loaded with impressive features such as an excellent fuel economy, and robust turbocharged engines. Despite its great features, the Hyundai Elantra hasn’t been received well in the Philippine market, making the price very low in the secondhand and repossessed market.
If you’re a value-conscious car buyer, getting a used Hyundai Elantra is definitely a smart move. The price of a used Hyundai Elantra is almost the same as some smaller and less capable vehicles like the Vios or City. For a very low price, your used Hyundai Elantra will give you all the space and features of a compact sedan. Truly, a used Hyundai Elantra is a great bargain.
2. NISSAN ALMERA
Looking for a secondhand vehicle that isn't too big nor too small? A used Nissan Almera is something you should definitely consider. As the Japanese brand’s entry to the subcompact sedan category, the Almera is marked by the sleek and curvy features that give it its elegant appeal.
Despite its classy features, it also didn’t get much love from the Philippine market. Maybe it’s because it's not as sleek design or the boxy feature, but aesthetics aside, it’s definitely a great car. The five-seater Nissan Almera greets its passengers with generous head and legroom, making it more spacious than its more popular rival Toyota Vios. It is also equipped with pretty much all the standard features needed in a car, and even goes the extra mile on safety. Worried about the hot weather? The Nissan Almera has grade A air-conditioning, better than its counterparts.
It starts with a 1.2-liter engine with 5-speed manual transmission, while a bigger and more powerful choice comes in with a 1.5-liter engine that's either equipped with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Its engine being at par with the Vios, the Almera's smaller body guarantees a faster and smoother ride. With its very low price in the second hand market, the used Nissan Almera is definitely a smart buy. What’s not to like with the Nissan Almera’s large-for-a-sub-compact interior space and its notably low fuel consumption?
3. MAZDA 3
If you are looking for a sleek and stylish ride, then the Mazda 3 might fit your vibe. Available in a sedan or hatchback, this handsome, powerful yet economically-friendly ride will definitely not disappoint you.
Whether as a hatchback or a sedan, the Mazda 3 will promise its drivers an excellent driving experience. When the road gets rough, the used Mazda 3 proves to be agile when the tarmac curves, and comfy when the road gets bumpy. Despite its amazing features, it’s not very common to see it on the road. We really hope this car would sell more, because truly, it’s a stunner.
As one of the classiest compact-cars in the market today, your used Mazda 3 will take you a long way!
4.MAZDA BT50
Are you someone with a busy and active lifestyle, yet looking for a powerful ride? A used Mazda BT-50 might be the ride for your busy schedule.
The dark horse brother of the more popular and in-demand Ford Ranger, the underrated Mazda BT-50 has a lot to offer. Although the two look nothing like twins aesthetically, underneath the very different looks and feel, the two have the same engine heart beating inside and the same chassis and are so very similar to each other.
The extremely powerful Mazda BT-50 has a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tons because of its rigid ladder-frame chassis. A used Mazda BT-50 combines strength, power, and style that can attract every buyer who is looking for that amazing pickup. With pretty much the same features as its more popular counterpart, a used Mazda BT-50 is definitely a good buy. Given how it is highly unappreciated, you’ll definitely catch a great deal opting for this instead of the same-but-different Ford Rangers.
5.SUZUKI CIAZ
For those living a fast-paced city lifestyle, the Suzuki Ciaz might be the one you’re looking for. With a bold and streamlined look, this lightweight and efficient vehicle is perfect for city driving. Worried about being stuck in the Metro traffic? The fuel-efficient Suzuki Ciaz has got your back!
Although it looks relatively small in size compared to other sedans, it will surprise you with the space inside. Its trunk is also roomy, good enough to fit all your grocery or travel essentials.
In the secondhand market, a used Suzuki Ciaz is one of the best buys. Aside from its sleek and spacious design, this subcompact sedan is worth considering for budget-conscious buyers. It offers totally good features for a very low price!
Runners Up:
Chinese brands such as BYD and Geely have also entered the Philippine market with some promising options. Since people prefer the more popular Japanese car brands, prices for the less known Chinese brands are even much lower. This makes the vehicles' prices even lower in the secondhand and repossessed market. If you want something a ride just as sleek, but boldly standing out from the crowd, these are brands you should consider.
BYD, which used to be a supplier of Nickel-Cadmium batteries, officially ventured into the automotive industry now known as BYD Auto Co. Some of BYD’s line ups include the F0 subcompact hatchback, S1 subcompact crossover, and the S7 7-SEATER SUV. The BYD FO is a combination of a simple and sporty hatchback, a small yet powerful vehicle.
Engine-wise, it has a 1.0-liter BYD371QA all-aluminum engine rated at 50 kilowatts of maximum power at 6,000 revolutions per minute and a maximum torque rating of 90 N-m. It is also mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. With more gears, it gives drivers better acceleration and fuel economy. Offering a very powerful option, a second hand BYD is a great buy.
Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd), the same company handling other brands such as the more high-end Volvo, Lotus, Geometry, among others, also has a lot of impressive second hand deals for you to enjoy. Some of its popular models include the Geely Coolray which has an edge over its subcompact-crossover competitors because of its impressive style, interiors and engine.
Regardless of the specific model, these Chinese brands have a whole lot more to offer. Buying a used BYD and a used Geely is something worth trying. They may not be as popular compared to their Japanese counterparts, but nonetheless, a used BYD and used Geely will surely be a smart buy.
Final Thoughts
Most popular doesn’t always mean best, and oftentimes, we tend to overlook other things for what they can truly offer us. With these underrated and undervalued used cars, it’s time for you to set your own trend for they will surely provide you with a unique driving experience. Getting your hands on one of these underappreciated used vehicles is something you definitely won’t regret, as you’ll definitely find something that fits your needs and personality.
Now that you’ve read about some of the most underrated used cars, we hope this will help you narrow down your choices. To know more about the best deals in the second hand and repossessed market, visit Automart.ph. With Automart.ph, you’re sure to find the gem you’re looking for.
More Tips For Practical Car Buying Here
https://automart.ph/blog/practical-car-buying
https://automart.ph/blog/why-buy-repo