I'm a Car Expert: 4 Most Improved Sedans That Are Now Worth Your Money
The price of a new car isn't cheap, but you can find some decent sedans starting at around $18,000, according to Kelley Blue Book. Considering the average new car price is nearly $49,000 as of May 2025, per CarEdge, that's practically a steal.
You don't have to go with the cheapest car, but quality is important. Some sedans that were considered cheap when they came out were also unreliable or prone to maintenance issues. Fortunately, many of these early sedans have improved over the years and are now worth your money.
Read Next:
Check Out:
GOBankingRates spoke with two car experts — Melanie Musson at CarInsurance.org and Alan Gelfand, owner of German Car Depot — to find out what sedans are most improved and worth the money.
2025 starting MSRP: $26,900
Original release date: 1985
Musson said that the original Sonata was cheap, which drew people in, but also unreliable. Now, though, it stacks up much more with other vehicles in its class.
'It's no longer a low-budget car where you have to give up comfort for a low MSRP,' Musson said. 'Now it's dependable, loaded with safety features and comfortable while still competitively, if not cheaply, priced.'
Be Aware:
2025 starting MSRP: $89,700
Original release date: 2015
The Genesis G90 isn't a cheap car by any stretch of the word, but it is a luxury sedan that delivers more value for its admittedly hefty price.
'A decade ago I would have never recommended a Hyundai luxury product, but the G90 is now delivering S Class luxury at $20,000 to $30,000 less,' Gelfand said. 'The build quality is comparable to the German sedans I work on daily, the warranty is top of the line, and the depreciation curve is more favorable than the German competitors.'
A big reason for this change, according to Gelfand, is that Hyundai hired former engineers from Mercedes and BMW.
2025 starting MSRP: $28,700
Original release date: 1983
You probably see a lot of Toyota Camrys on the road. The reasonable price tag is definitely one reason for that, but so is the overall improvements made over the past decade or so.
'The current Camry is totally different from what it was 10 years ago,' Gelfand said. 'It'll run 200,000+ miles with basic maintenance, holds its value better than almost any sedan and the interior quality finally matches the price point. I see these in my shop mainly for routine service, not expensive repairs.'
2025 starting MSRP: $28,295
Original release date: 1976
The Honda Accord has been on the market for decades now, and it's improved over the years.
'Honda fixed everything that was wrong with previous generations,' Gelfand said. 'The CVT transmission that used to frustrate me is gone… The 2.0-liter turbo engine delivers real performance, and the hybrid system is genuinely sophisticated.'
Gelfand also noted that these cars are not just more reliable, but they're also better in terms of materials and driving dynamics.
More From GOBankingRates
Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard
These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs
Mark Cuban Tells Americans To Stock Up on Consumables as Trump's Tariffs Hit -- Here's What To Buy
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I'm a Car Expert: 4 Most Improved Sedans That Are Now Worth Your Money
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Here's How Much It Costs To Maintain a Tesla vs Other Electric Vehicles
Teslas and other EVs don't need oil changes, but that doesn't mean they're maintenance-free. And when service is needed, the costs still add up. Learn More: Try This: So, how do Tesla's long-term maintenance costs compare to those of other electric vehicles? Let's take a closer look at what you can expect. When it comes to maintenance, EVs and combustion engines have some similarities. According to CarEdge, they both require: Tire monitoring and replacement Battery replacement HVAC maintenance Brake maintenance Cabin air filter replacement But there are also key differences. EVs don't require oil changes, timing belts, radiator fluids or fuel filters. There are fewer moving parts, which means there's less of a chance of mechanical failure, and brakes wear more slowly due to regenerative braking. Trending Now: On the other hand, tires wear out more quickly, and battery or motor work will need to be done at the automaker's service center. EV maintenance can vary depending on the brand, model, how you drive and even where you live. Tesla notes that aggressive driving can wear down tires faster and put more strain on the brakes. If you live in an area with rough roads or colder weather, you might see more frequent maintenance needs. And if service centers are limited in your area, that can drive up both wait times and costs. According to Consumer Reports and CarEdge, Tesla has the lowest maintenance costs over a 10-year period compared to other major car brands, with an estimated average of $5,050. Here are CarEdge's estimated 10-year maintenance costs for different Tesla models: Tesla Model 3: $3,257 Tesla Model S: $3,974 Tesla Model Y: $3,994 Tesla Model X: $4,847 Tesla Cybertruck: $5,359 However, there are other brands and models with similar maintenance costs. According to CarEdge, the estimated 10-year maintenance cost for the Toyota Mirai is $3,222 — slightly lower than the Tesla Model 3. Here is the complete list of EVs, besides Tesla, and their estimated 10-year maintenance costs: Toyota Mirai: $3,222 Nissan LEAF: $3,236 Toyota bZ4X: $3,496 FIAT 500e: $3,549 Hyundai IONIQ 6: $3,930 Honda Prologue: $4,600 Nissan ARIYA: $4,671 Hyundai Kona Electric: $4,727 Volkswagen ID.4: $4,811 Subaru Solterra: $4,825 Kia EV6: $5,029 Hyundai IONIQ 5: $5,043 Chevrolet Equinox EV: $5,096 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: $5,102 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N: $5,265 Kia EV9: $5,285 Ford Mustang Mach-E: $5,331 Chevrolet Blazer EV: $5,403 GMC HUMMER EV SUV: $5,821 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup: $6,384 GMC Sierra EV: $6,253 Ford F-150 Lightning: $6,574 Chevrolet Silverado EV: $6,653 Ford E-Transit-350 Cargo Van: $6,876 RAM ProMaster 3500 EV: $11,649 More From GOBankingRates 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement This article originally appeared on Here's How Much It Costs To Maintain a Tesla vs Other Electric Vehicles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dortmund sign Bellingham brother Jobe from Sunderland
Jobe Bellingham (right) playing for Sunderland in the Championship (Paul ELLIS) Borussia Dortmund have signed English midfielder Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland until 2030, five years after bringing older brother Jude to the club. Dortmund announced the signing on Tuesday, the final day of the Club World Cup transfer window. Advertisement "The England U21 international put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the eight-time German champions on Tuesday morning," Dormund said in a statement. Dortmund reportedly paid a fee of around 33 million euros ($37 million), with five million in additional bonuses, to secure the midfielder's services, the most the club has paid up front for a player. "I'm very happy to be a Borussia Dortmund player now and to fight for titles together with this great club," said 19-year-old Bellingham. "I want to play my part in celebrating success with these great fans here and will work on myself and with the team every day. And I'm very happy that I'll be wearing the black and yellow jersey at the FIFA Club World Cup." Advertisement Dortmund's transfer record remains the 35 million euros paid to bring Ousmane Dembele from Rennes in 2018 although this was originally 15 million euros which rose by 20 million in sell-on fees once the player transfered to Barcelona. "Jobe is an extremely talented footballer with an impressive level of maturity and intelligence on the pitch for someone so young," said Lars Ricken, BVB Managing Director for Sport. "We have no doubt that he's the perfect fit for our philosophy of developing talented youngsters and giving them the opportunity to improve and establish themselves at the highest level. "His professionalism, his dynamism and his hunger to succeed will make him a real asset for our team." Advertisement At 19, Jobe is two years younger than his Real Madrid and England midfielder brother. In moving to Dortmund, Jobe will follow in Jude's footsteps of trading the Championship for the Bundesliga and the Westfalenstadion. After leaving Birmingham City, Jude spent three seasons at Dortmund and has become one of the most recognisable players in world football since joining Real in 2023. As he did at Sunderland, the younger Bellingham will wear 'Jobe' on his jersey at Dortmund rather than his last name in a bid to distinguish himself from his brother. Jobe scored four goals and laid on three assists in 40 games for Sunderland this season as he helped the club win promotion to the Premier League. Advertisement - Brotherly face-off - Jobe's signing means the two brothers could face off in this season's expanded Club World Cup in the United States, if Dortmund meet Real Madrid during the knockouts of the competition. Jude Bellingham joined Dortmund from boyhood club Birmingham in 2020 aged 17 for around 23 million euros, a fee which rose to 30 million euros when a sell-on fee was added after his 100 million euro move to Real Madrid. He made 132 appearances in yellow and black, scoring 24 times and laying on 25 assists, and helped them win the German Cup in 2021 alongside Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. Advertisement After leaving Dortmund, Jude faced off against his former side in the 2023-24 Champions League final, with Real winning 2-0 at Wembley. Jobe became the second-youngest Birmingham City player behind his brother when he made his debut aged 16 years and 107 days. He was named the young player of the season in the English second flight, again following in his brother's footsteps, five years on. "He's fit as a fiddle and raring to go," said club sporting director Sebastian Kehl. "He's determined to forge his own path at Borussia Dortmund and make his mark on how we play, and we're confident that he will do exactly that," added Advertisement After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, Dortmund snuck into fourth after a late-season flurry, picking up 22 of a possible 24 points in their final eight games and will take part in next season's Champions League. Dortmund kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Fluminense on June 17. dwi/ea/bsp
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
From Germany: United star's reunion with Ten Hag now deemed ‘feasible' as Leverkusen prepare formal approach
From Germany: United star's reunion with Ten Hag now deemed 'feasible' as Leverkusen prepare formal approach Manchester United fans – and likely those on the board – are hoping Erik ten Hag will replicate his notorious transfer approach of signing his former players now that he's at Bayer Leverkusen. In doing so, the Red Devils have the chance of recuperating funds that can then be used to sanction their own arrivals this summer. Advertisement The prospect is certainly alive too, with the ex-Red Devils boss already being tipped for a reunion with his former protégé, Antony, in Germany. Leverkusen shortlist Antony after Ten Hag's appointment Ten Hag has worked with Antony at both Ajax and United. (Photo by) Since Ten Hag was cherry-picked to succeed the Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso last month, Leverkusen have already brought in fellow SEG client Mark Flekken from Brentford, while they're reluctantly preparing for the impending departure of talisman Florian Wirtz to Liverpool. Should the deal get over the line as planned, the Bundesliga outfit will have upwards of £100 million to reinvest in Wirtz's replacement/s — and Antony is viewed as a potential candidate. Advertisement Surprisingly, so is his wantaway teammate Alejandro Garnacho. After it became public knowledge that he and United had decided to part ways this summer, Leverkusen were among a handful of clubs to have established their interest. Cut-price Antony viewed as a more 'feasible' target A fresh report from German outlet BILD this week has claimed that a move for Antony over his Argentine counterpart is deemed more 'feasible' due to their differing valuations; United were demanding a fee in excess of £60m to green-light Garnacho's exit when Napoli came knocking in the winter, while Antony, 25, could be available for around £35m. Antony's stellar efforts throughout his half-season loan spell with Real Betis certainly played into United's hands in terms of upping his price tag, although they still stand to make a substantial loss on the £86m they forked out for him in 2022. Advertisement More Stories / Latest News From Germany: United star's reunion with Ten Hag now deemed 'feasible' as Leverkusen prepare formal approach Jun 10 2025, 13:52 The Athletic: UCL finalists hold 'concrete interest' in Erik ten Hag signing, he's made his stance clear Jun 10 2025, 12:07 From Italy – Man Utd offer audacious swap deal for 'the best striker in the world' Jun 10 2025, 11:02