Ford-lovers, I have good news: there are more used Fords on the road these days than ever before and many of them are particularly good buys. We all know there are tons of reasons to buy a used or pre-owned vehicle over one that’s brand new, and one of the best reasons is the massive selection. There will always be more used cars available than brand new ones, even if you’re just interested in vehicles from the last four or five years. You won’t see specific model years here, just the models that have been regularly excellent and worth checking out at your local used Ford dealership.
While I could spend all day looking at and talking about all the different used Fords out there, I think a better use of my time (and yours) would be to focus on some select choices. You can usually find these vehicles at a reasonable price, but they also retain their value quite well, and the options they were originally available with mean you have a lot to choose from.
#1 – The Ford F-150
For more than 30 years, the Ford F-150 has been the bestselling vehicle in the United States, and for more than 40 years it has been the best selling pickup truck. It has also been the bestselling vehicle in Canada for decades. Think about that… for as long as many drivers on the road have been alive, the Ford F-150 has been the number one selling truck around and the bestselling vehicle in many cases.
There’s a good reason for that: the Ford F-150 combines power and a light frame to offer excellent gas mileage for a truck and still function as a workhorse. If you need more power, then the Super Duty pickups, such as the Ford F-250 or F-350, are very effective but typically appeal to a smaller market. For general truck owners, it’s hard to beat the Ford F-150 and used models retain their value for years, while still offering a lower price than a brand new one.
#2 – The Ford Mustang
A car that needs little introduction, the Ford Mustang was first released in 1964 (I know, it’s ’64 and a half, Mustang fans, settle down), and for the last 55 years has been one of the most popular American cars ever made. Although it has taken many different forms over the decades, at its heart, a Mustang is a Mustang and used Ford Mustangs are among the most popular cars out there. There may be a pretty big difference between a 1965 Mustang and a 2015 Mustang, but both are popular and available on the used market.
When looking at a used Ford Mustang, consider the overall design and style you’re interested in. Old used models from the first year or two are somewhat rare and often quite expensive, especially if they are in great condition or a convertible. Newer used Ford Mustangs can include modern amenities like better safety features and tremendous power, while saving you money off the cost of a brand new sports car.
#3 – The Ford Escape
For nearly 20 years, the Ford Escape has been one of the leading crossover vehicles on the market. Millions of Escapes have sold over this time, which means it is pretty easy to find a used Ford Escape, and they retain their value quite well. As a compact crossover SUV, the Escape is a great option for anyone interested in an SUV but who do not necessarily have the space for a larger vehicle.
There have also been hybrid models available on the Ford Escape for a number of years, specifically model years 2004 to 2012, which means you can find used Ford Escape hybrids on the market as well. These were particularly popular between 2005 and 2011, with over 100,000 hybrid models sold during that time. That makes the Escape a particularly good choice for anyone interested in a hybrid used Ford SUV, particularly if you want something compact.
#4 – The Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV that has been available for more than 12 years and has been quite popular during that time. More than 1 million Ford Edges have sold in just over a decade, which means you can pretty easily find a used model that includes features only made available in the last few years. A mid-size SUV is a great choice for a lot of families, especially those with children, which makes a used Ford Edge ideal for saving some money and getting a great ride.
You can find used Ford Edges in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations, so keep an eye out for exactly what you want. For years, the Edge has been one of the top-rated SUVs in terms of safety, often recognized as a great choice for families because of that. A used Ford Edge has lost none of that safe design, and recent models include many of the same safety features you would find on a brand new one.
#5 – The Ford Focus Electric
While the standard Ford Focus is itself a fine vehicle, I’d rather call out the Ford Focus Electric, which is a 5-door hatchback version of the Focus, which runs on an electric battery and engine. First introduced in 2011, the Focus Electric was quickly named the most efficient electric car produced in the US. It is a compact car, but the hatchback design makes it easy to get items into and out of the vehicle, which is ideal for families or groups of friends.
Buying a used electric car, like a used Ford Focus, is actually one of the best things you can do for the environment. Not only are you driving electric and thereby reducing emissions, but you also benefit the planet by choosing a used vehicle, so you’re reducing the overall impact of making that vehicle in the first place. A used Ford Focus Electric might not be quite as efficient as a brand new electric car, especially older models, but you can often find them for much cheaper than when they sold brand new.
#6 – The Ford Fusion
First introduced in the model year 2006, for more than 12 years, the Fusion has been one of the most popular mid-size sedans on the road. A used Ford Fusion gets you all the benefits of signature Ford design but at a much lower price. In most years, a V6 engine has been offered, so you can find a used Fusion with pretty impressive muscle under its hood.
Recent releases have also included a hybrid model option. This means you can find a used Ford Fusion hybrid that gives you greater fuel efficiency than many other cars on the road. Picking up one of these at a lower price, due to it being pre-owned, is a great way to reduce emissions and still pay less than you would for a new hybrid model.
#7 – The Ford Explorer
For nearly 30 years, the Ford Explorer has been one of the most popular mid-size SUVs on the road. Depending on the year in which it was made, the Explorer can be either a two-door or four-door model, built as either a traditional SUV or a crossover SUV since 2010. These vehicles have been particularly popular among law enforcement and emergency services.
A used Ford Explorer gives you all the reliability and performance you would expect, but at a much lower price tag. Of course, it’s important to choose the right used Ford dealership before making a purchase. But so long as you go through a reputable dealer, you will find a used Ford offers tremendous reliability and performance without hitting your wallet too hard.
