Think Your Dream Car's Out of Reach? You've Got Options

There are cars and trucks we drool over. Gaze at longingly and daydream about. And then there’s the matter of actually shopping for a car or truck, and needing to stick to a budget.

Myth: Shopping on a budget means you have to settle for less.

Fact: Shopping for a used vehicle is a budget-friendly way to get lots of the features you want in your next ride.

Pickup Trucks

Want a: Ford F-150?
Check out a: Ford F-150

Yes, you read that right. Depending on the configuration, a 2017 F-150 could cost more than $45,000 on average at CarMax (based on prices in January, 2018).¹ But if you’re willing to go back a few years, you can get a great truck like a 2014 F-150 XLT at CarMax for an average price of less than $30,000 (based on January, 2018 prices)¹.

At CarMax, you can find a 5L, V8 Ford F-150 — the best-selling vehicle in America and the most-searched vehicle on carmax.com in 2017— from 2014 for an average price of $21,000 (as of January, 2018)¹.

More vehicles like the Ford F-150:

• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Dodge Ram 1500
• Chevrolet Colorado

SUVs

Want a: Lexus RX350?
Check out a: Lexus RX350 or Toyota Highlander

If you want features like a powerful, six-cylinder engine and heated and cooled front seats — and you need to stick to a budget — check out an RX350 from a few years back or an SUV like the Toyota Highlander.

Why the Highlander? Because select model years and trims may have the features listed above and can cost less than many RX350s, plus it’s available with a third-row seat. Lexus didn’t give a RX350 a third row until the new, 2018 model year.

More vehicles like the Lexus RX350:

• Audi Q5
• Acura MDX

More vehicles like the Toyota Highlander:

• Honda Pilot
• Chevrolet Traverse

Sedans

Want a: Acura TLX?
Check out a: Acura TLX or Honda Accord

Thinking about an Acura? Both the TLX sedan and Honda’s Accord are available with plenty of the same driver-comfort features and powertrain features. But did you know you can often find a recent used Honda Accord for less than a recent used Acura TLX, but with many of the same options?

More vehicles like the Acura TLX:

• Mercedes C-Class
• Audi A4

More vehicles like the Honda Accord:

• Toyota Camry
• Nissan Altima

Looking to learn more? Check out seven more cool car and truck features.

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¹ Based on prices on carmax.com in January, 2018. Actual prices may vary based on your selected model year, features and trim packages. Prices do not include taxes, tags, titles, and any applicable fees. Unless otherwise noted, information relating to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.