Paul West Used Cars

The Most Reliable Used Vehicles

Gainesville car dealers offer used cars from a wide variety of brands and models. It can be hard to decide which one will meet your everyday needs and remain reliable for years to come. After all, purchasing a vehicle is a significant investment, and you don’t want to be stuck with a janky car.  

These brands landed in the top half of a J.D. Power study about vehicle dependability in the U.S. published in 2017. The study focused on 2014 model year vehicles and analyzed issues owners experienced during a 12-month period in areas such as engine and transmission, entertainment and navigation, features and controls, heating and cooling, and overall driving experience.

Toyota

Toyota earned top billing in 7 of the 18 car categories J.D. Power studied  — compact car, large car, compact multi-purpose vehicle, midsize car (for the Camry), minivan, compact SUV, and midsize SUV.

Honda

Honda vehicles are frequently recommended as used cars Gainesville, Florida, residents should invest on. The Civic and Accord models are found on multiple top 10 safety and reliability lists conducted by J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and other respected surveyors. Paul West Used Cars has several Honda vehicles available, including this 2011 Honda Civic and 2013 Honda Accord.

Buick

A car brand known among older drivers, Buick has consistently landed near the top of dependability ratings in recent years. As the company continues to market itself as one for younger drivers, several models, including the Enclave and Regal, have multiple advanced safety features.

Chevrolet

According to the J.D. Power study, Chevrolet earned top billing for the Tahoe in the large SUV category and Silverado in the large, heavy-duty pickup category. The brand also landed on U.S. News & Report’s list of the 10 most reliable car brands (released in early 2018) with an average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Safety Features To Look For In A Used Car

Antilock Brake System (ABS)

ABS relies on sensors attached to each wheel to maximize braking action individually and prevent the vehicle’s wheels from locking up in a hard-braking situation. This way, the driver is able to maintain steering control and guide the vehicle around obstacles such as an animal in the roadway.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Also called electronic stability program or dynamic stability control, this feature helps stabilize a car when it detects a loss of traction or vehicle skid. The brakes are automatically applied to assist the driver in steering the vehicle in the intended direction. ESC is standard in vehicles from 2012 and later, but many vehicles manufactured before that model year have it as an optional feature.

Side Airbags

Side airbags are meant to protect the torso of the driver and front seat passenger. This feature has been standard in vehicles for several years with some automakers including side airbags for rear-seat passengers. Newer used cars may also have curtain airbags, which deploy from above the vehicle’s windows in the event of a crash. They prevent a person’s head from striking the window and external debris from entering the vehicle.

“Smart” Front Airbags

While front airbags have been standard in vehicles since 1998, “smart” front airbags were introduced in some cars produced in the early to mid-2000s. The smart system uses sensors to detect the presence, weight and sitting position of the driver and front passenger. If certain thresholds are met, the airbags either don’t deploy in the event of a crash or deploy at a slower speed to reduce the chance of injury.

Safety Belt Features

The seat belt is the most significant safety feature in all used cars Gainesville, FL, residents can buy. Several additional features, such as the seat belt pretensioner, can give it a helping hand. The pretensioner engages to reduce seat belt slackness in the event of a front-impact crash, keeping the occupant correctly positioned for a deploying airbag. Adjustable upper anchors place the belt across a person’s chest rather than the neck, reducing the risk of neck injuries.

Advantages of Buying a Used Vehicle

Visiting Gainesville used car dealerships in search for a long-lasting used car that fits your budget and lifestyle has several advantages. For example, many safety features that were once optional unless customers paid extra money have been added to older models because they have become an industry standard. When a used car is brought to a dealership, usually as a trade-in, it undergoes a vigorous inspection by trained mechanics. This gives potential buyers peace of mind in knowing that, although the vehicle is older, everything is still in good shape. Used vehicles also cost less to purchase, insure, and register with your local county and state.

Used Cars For Sale in Gainesville, FL

At Paul West Used Cars in Gainesville, FL, we’re ready to help you find a safe and long-lasting used car! With a wide variety of brands, several of which are routinely named in safety and reliability lists, our team makes the searching process easy. To find a car that will last for years and keep you comfortable on the road, come to Paul West Used Cars!