5 Reliable Used Cars Worth Buying, According to George Kamel
Youtube personality and personal finance expert George Kamel wants to make sure you are taken for a great ride. Not in the sense that you get shaken down for all your money-no, Kamel created a YouTube video that breaks down his top choices for used cars to buy in 2025, with help from the used cars ranked by MotorTrend for this year.
Trending Now:
For You:
All of these cars are, in Kamel's opinion, solid picks that come with high safety ratings, excellent fuel efficiency and an overall good value by being priced at $10,000 or less.
If you are in the market for a vehicle that's budget friendly, make sure to check out the five reliable used cars worth buying in 2025, according to Kamel.
2017 to 2021 Models
Kamel liked these Jettas for their roomy trunks and on screen dash displays, as well as a few models that come with a panoramic sunroof and blind spot monitoring. Plus, as Kamel pointed out, all of the Jettas produced within this timespan got five-star safety ratings.
See Next:
2017 to 2018 Models
There's a lot to love about these Altimas, but for Kamel it comes down to the standard rearview camera, remote start and automatic emergency braking in the 2018 model. Nissan is known for zero gravity seats as well, so you and your passengers can feel like they are floating on their drive.
2015 to 2018 Models
The features that stand out to Kamel in the Sonic are the heated seats and steering wheel, as well as a push button start. While Kamel points out that Chevy discontinued this line in 2020, he noted that the Sonic overall is not a bad automobile, particularly ones produced during this three year span, making them great used car buys in 2025.
2015 to 2018 Models
The two biggest factors for the Rio making it on Kamel's list are that these Kia models tend to have lower repair and maintenance costs. Kamel cited a RepairPal statistic from 2025 that found the average maintenance cost of a 2015 Rio to be $482, which is about half of the average repair cost of a new vehicle.
2015 to 2017 Models
The top pick for Kamel when it comes to buying a used car in 2025 is the Honda Fit. That's because the Fits get up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway, can generate up to 130 horsepower and are equipped with Honda's Lanewatch Drive-Assist. Hondas last a long time, so Kamel predicted drivers will be on the road with this vehicle for quite some time.
GOBankingRates asked a few other auto experts for their top reliable used cars that you should consider buying in 2025, especially if you have a more flexible budget. Below are the cars that made the cut.
2020 to 2022 Models
According to Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, these Corolla models are selling for as low as $16,000.
'The Corolla has a long lifespan, so it's a good option to buy used,' Musson said. 'It's small and efficient, so if you're looking to cut costs because of how expensive life's necessities have become, the Corolla is one way to do it.'
2020 to 2022 Models
Mazda produces underappreciated cars, according to Alex Black, chief marketing officer of EpicVIN. While the Mazda3 models from these years can be on the pricier side, the extra cost is worth it in Black's opinion.
'The Mazda3 handles more like a more expensive car — good handling, a pleasant interior and high reliability scores,' Black explained. 'If you need something more exciting than a Corolla or Civic but extremely reliable, that's the one.'
More From GOBankingRates
5 Types of Vehicles Retirees Should Stay Away From Buying
10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money
4 Things You Should Do if You Want To Retire Early
The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing
Sources
George Kamel, 'Reliable Used Cars to Buy in 2025.'
Melanie Musson, AutoInsurance.org.
Alex Black, EpicVIN.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Reliable Used Cars Worth Buying, According to George Kamel
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Why were Waymo cars targeted during Los Angeles protests? What to know about them
Why were Waymo cars targeted during Los Angeles protests? What to know about them Waymo vehicles were set on fire during Los Angeles protests. Here's what to know about Waymo, its vehicles, and their vulnerability to fires. Show Caption Hide Caption LA protesters ignite Waymo taxis, see the remains Protesters vandalized and set Waymo autonomous taxis on fire amid anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Several Waymo driverless vehicles were destroyed during anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. The flaming vehicles posed threats protestors may not have been fully aware of because of their unique design. First responders and protestors were likely exposed to dangerous chemical compounds that could be fatal in high concentrations. The image of burning Waymo driverless cars is becoming synonymous with the June 2025 Los Angeles protests. So, how did Waymo cars get to the scene of the protest in the first place and why were the vehicles being targeted? A Waymo spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on June 9 that the company temporarily suspended its services in downtown Los Angeles "out of an abundance of caution." Here's how protestors used Waymo vehicles in the midst of a controversy over immigration enforcement that's left the country reeling. What are Waymo cars? Waymo is a company under the Alphabet (Google) umbrella that is developing driverless vehicle technology using cameras, radar and lidar sensors, and advanced computer systems. It launched a driverless ride-hailing service in several major cities. A Waymo car is a vehicle owned by the company and equipped with technology that is capable of self-driving. Passengers can summon Waymo vehicles to their location and ride in the vehicles to their intended destination without interacting with a driver. Where does Waymo operate? Phoenix, Arizona San Francisco, California Los Angeles, California Austin, Texas The self-driving ride hailing service will soon be available in Atlanta, Georgia and Miami, Florida, as well, according to the company website. It has been tested in over 15 American states. Waymo driverless cars targeted by protestors in downtown Los Angeles A YouTube video by Wall Street Journal News shows protestors swarming a burning Waymo driverless car that is ablaze. The vehicle is covered in anti-ICE slogans. A masked person is seen smashing the vehicle with a hammer. The vehicles were summoned to the scene, according to the Wall Street Journal News video above. Waymo disputes this, saying that the vehicles were present at the scene of the protests, not summoned with the intention of being set on fire. Their unique powertrain systems (motors and batteries) cause them to burn even hotter than internal combustion engine vehicles. Furthermore, EV batteries can easily overheat and ignite cars in extreme heat. Electric vehicle fires can be more difficult to put out than internal combustion engine vehicle fires. Lithium-ion batteries experience "thermal runway, a chemical process that isn't as easily extinguished as a gasoline fire in part because it doesn't require oxygen" according to MotorTrend. So, setting the Waymo driverless EVs on fire created an extremely burdensome situation for local authorities. "I think protests need to be peaceful period, and anytime it deteriorates into violence that is a problem and it absolutely messes with the overall message," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a press interview. How many Waymo cars were burned in Los Angeles during protests? At least five Waymo Jaguar I-Pace vehicles were destroyed during the Los Angeles protests. A new Jaguar I-Pace starts at a whopping $72,500. So, the total cost of the destroyed Waymo driverless vehicles could exceed $362,500 before accounting for the price of Waymo's autonomous driving technology like radar and lidar sensors. Waymo's self-driving technology could add $100,000 to the cost of a Jaguar I-Pace due to the price of multiple sensors, cameras, and advanced autonomous driving systems, according to Slate Magazine. If this estimate is accurate, the total damages to the vehicles could be close to $862,500. Why the Los Angeles Waymo car fires were so dangerous Lithium-ion battery fires weren't the only risk to Americans during the Los Angeles protests of 2025. hydrogen fluoride, a toxic and corrosive chemical compound, was also expelled from the burning Waymo driverless cars, said Scientific American. This chemical compound could cause a person to cough up blood in mere minutes. Inhaling high concentrations of hydrogen fluoride can be fatal, so the burning Waymo vehicles presented a deadly risk to those nearby. First responders to lithium-ion battery fires can develop breathing difficulties and throat burns while trying to extinguish the flames. Ultimately, the events that took place on June 8 have sparked a nationwide conversation involving the current administration's immigration policies, the protests, and the federal government's reaction to the protests.
Motor 1
5 hours ago
- Motor 1
2026 Nissan Sentra: Everything We Know
Nissan isn't giving up on small cars. Even though the tiny Versa is rumored to be on the chopping block, the company is currently working on a brand-new version of the Sentra in an attempt to dethrone compact sedan staples like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The current version of the Sentra won't survive past the current 2025 model year, which means a new one should arrive sooner rather than later. Expect it before the end of the year with an on-sale date of 2026. We've already seen the spy photos and heard many of the rumors, but here's everything you need to know about Nissan's next compact sedan. Here's What We Know 2026 Kia Telluride: Everything We Know 2027 Nissan Maxima: Everything We Know What Will the New Sentra Look Like? 2026 Nissan Sentra Rendering by Motor1 Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1 Nissan's new design language will extend to every one of its vehicles, Sentra included. Many of the cues we've already seen on SUVs like the Kicks and Murano , as well as the upcoming Leaf , should trickle down to the compact sedan. Based on the spy photos and teasers we've already seen, the new Sentra will look much sharper—and it could be slightly longer than the current car. The compact sedan will have a new face highlighted by the brand's latest angular headlight treatment. A light bar should run across the hood line just above the V-shaped grille (though, don't call it a V-Motion grille ). New Nissan Sentra Spy Photos Photo by: KGP Photography New Nissan Sentra Spy Photos Photo by: KGP Photography The back end will likely have a similarly svelte design with an LED taillight treatment that extends across the trunk lid. Those same spy photos also show a subtle ducktail spoiler jutting out from the trunk lid, which should give the Sentra a slightly sportier look. Our artist brought those spy photos to life in the renderings you see here. What Kind of Technology Will It Have? 2025 Nissan Murano Interior Photo by: Nissan If you've been in any of Nissan's latest SUVs, the Sentra's interior should look familiar. We expect a streamlined, screen-heavy design with a few touch-capacitive controls. Don't worry, though, Nissan won't ditch buttons entirely. The company's latest products do still have centralized volume knobs and a few tactile controls. The Sentra's current 7.0- and 8.0-inch touchscreen displays should both grow in size, and Nissan will undoubtedly offer a digital instrument cluster to go with it. The company currently offers dual 12.3-inch screens in most of its cars, which should carry over to the Sentra. What Engine Will the New Sentra Have? The current Nissan Sentra has a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine making 149 horsepower, and we don't expect much to change. The base model will likely keep its 2.0-liter engine, with minor upgrades in power and efficiency. That said, the Rogue's turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine could also carry over. Nissan has also been vocal about its lack of hybrids. The company could remedy that with its next-generation Sentra. Even though the automaker doesn't currently offer a hybrid powertrain in the US, Nissan does have a range of e-Power hybrids in Japan that could make their way Stateside—or at least, a version of those powertrains. The Sentra spy photos show a prototype with tailpipes, which leads us to believe that the Sentra won't go all-electric, as others have speculated. In fact, we don't expect Nissan to offer an electric version at all. The new Sentra will likely hit the market with a naturally aspirated gas engine and a hybrid option. Nissan Sentra teaser Photo by: Nissan What Will the New Sentra Compete Against? Even though the 2026 Sentra may grow in size, it will remain in the compact sedan space. That will put it up against current competitors like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia K4, and Toyota Corolla. How Much Will the New Sentra Cost? Don't expect the 2026 Sentra to get a major price hike. The current Sentra starts at just $22,730 for the base SV model, while even the most expensive trim—the SR Midnight Edition—is only $26,425. As a brand-new model, the 2026 Sentra will undoubtedly see a price increase over the current version. We wouldn't be surprised to see a base price of around $25,000. The Sentra could even move production from Mexico to the US to avoid President Trump's proposed tariffs. That said, we expect the new Sentra to remain competitive with the Honda Civic in terms of price, which starts at just over $25,000 for the 2025 model year. When Will We See It? Nissan has already confirmed that the 2026 Sentra will debut later this year before going on sale sometime in 2025. Exact timing is still to be determined. 13 Source: KGP Photography Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Drive
7 hours ago
- The Drive
Is This Some Weird Guy's Car Collection or an Insurance Fraud Dumping Ground?
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Sometimes, you watch a YouTube video that leaves you scratching your head. I found myself in just that scenario after being served this clip from Exploring With Josh—a creator with an affinity for abandoned places. In this video, he's checking out a neglected American property that is currently home to an incredibly diverse 'collection' of automobiles of varying ages. Is this an eccentric's abandoned collection or simply a dumping ground for local fraudsters? I've watched the video through twice and I still can't decide. Josh dedicates quite a bit of the video to telling the story of the home's last reported occupant, but the details are vague and given his penchant for exaggeration (virtually none of the cars in his video thumbnail even exist on this property, for example), I'd suggest taking the narrative with a grain of salt. The actual exploratory bits are where we find all the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean weird stuff. Even if the locals have been using the property as an impromptu junkyard, I'd find it hard to believe that a random assortment of locals are looking to offload such high concentrations of quirky European cars. There are at least two vintage Alfas on the property (and potentially a third lurking beneath a car cover), along with an old Nissan Stanza and the garage-kept Lotus Esprit. Also in storage is a rather clean-looking Honda CB750. Exploring With Josh via YouTube If it stopped there, I could reasonably write this off as the former collection of a fellow car geek, but it doesn't, and I won't. Why? Well, while both the Volvo V50 and a Buick Regal TourX technically count as European wagons (the latter was an Opel, don't forget), they don't exactly fit in with the rest of the 'collection.' And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Next to that TourX, there's a 981 Boxster on bald tires under a car cover, and out behind the still-covered mystery vehicle lurks an ND Mazda Miata that looks conspicuously spotless. Exploring With Josh via YouTube The host notes the Miata's presence as somewhat anachronistic, but elsewhere in the video he suggests that the property has sat in this state for about eight years. If he's correct, that would technically put the ND in play; its first year on the market was 2015 (as a 2016 model). The Regal and 981 would likewise just fall within that window. Plausible? Sure. Likely? Hmm. Josh claims the previous owner of the property was born independently wealthy, which makes it plausible that all of the cars we see here belonged to him. Either way, I see a beautiful Pennsylvania Tudor Revival in desperate need of some TLC. If the cars come with it, so much the better. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@
