Thinking About the Future

When you shop for new cars, the feeling of elation may wash over you, but you do need to make sure you spend some time being practical.
It’s important to remember that you’re buying a vehicle that you’re likely going to use for the next few years as the form of transportation you enjoy. This means you need to make sure the vehicle you choose offers you the benefits you want to enjoy and the features you’re after. You might become frustrated if you buy a vehicle that you only want to drive for a single year.

The Single-Year Study

Both financing terms and lease programs are offered for more than one year on all new vehicles. Most vehicles lose the largest portion of their value during the first year on the road. Both of these factors make it seem that any vehicle you choose to purchase should be kept for more than one year. Strangely, at least 2.7 percent of all new cars make it to the used market after only one year of ownership, which is an indication of dissatisfaction with the vehicles and not an indicator of being a vehicle that was financed for only a year.
While you might not think that 2.7 percent is a large number, consider the fact that last year more than 17 million vehicles were sold in the US. That equates to a large number of cars that are traded in or sold off with owners owing on the lease or being upside down for the financing. Why would vehicles be returned after only one year when there aren’t any financial advantages to returning these vehicles or trading them in? Aside from a lifestyle change, such as having children, the reason given has to do with the dissatisfaction felt with the vehicles.

The Seven Top Models

These seven models all rank high on the list of vehicles that are returned after only one year. That doesn’t mean they can’t be great choices for you to but or lease, but keep in mind the limits of these models before you choose one as the vehicle you take home with you.
Buick Regal – The Regal was returned at a rate of 10.7 percent after one year. Maybe some people expected more of the Regal, or just outgrew it after one year. Either way, this is the car that was returned more than any other. Make sure it has everything you want when you consider a new Regal as the one you want to drive.
Chevrolet Sonic – The Sonic is returned after a single year at a rate of 8.9 percent. This isn’t a real surprise as it is a small four-door hatchback or tiny sedan. Many people will find themselves ready to move up to a larger model fairly quickly. If you do want something that fits everywhere and is easy to drive, the Sonic is a good choice.
BMW X1 – When you think of this luxury brand, you don’t often think of something as small as the X1. This tiny performance SUV is attractive and ready for the road, but with 7.8 percent of them being sold after only one year of ownership, you might want to reconsider your choice and look at a different model.
Dodge Charger – Here’s a car that’s a bit of a surprise on the list. It shows up with 7.7 percent of the models being returned after a year, which may indicate the incredible power was attractive at first but not once the lack of fuel mileage was experienced. This is a large sedan that can fit most families, but many were returned.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Those who returned this car at a rate of 7.4 percent were looking for a larger and more elegant car than what this model had to offer. This is a small and impressive luxury car, but before you make it the one you drive, you need to think about whether or not you want the small size for several years.
Chevrolet Cruze – This small car was returned at a rate of 7.2 percent after the first year, indicating that many who chose it outgrew it after that first year. This study was performed during a year before the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback was offered, which gives us some thought that this car may not be returned at such a high rate any longer.
Nissan Frontier – At 6.9 percent, the Frontier is the only pickup truck on this list. This truck is due for an upgrade and as one that has been on the market in the same build for a very long time, this is a truck that could leave you disappointed. Make sure this is the truck you want to drive for several years before you take it home for good.