As the leading used Nissan dealership in the area, our team here at Coyle Nissan often gets asked about the benefits of purchasing a used Nissan. Many people are hesitant to shop for used vehicles because there’s an underlying concern for reliability and value. Sure, a new Nissan comes straight from the factory with that dizzying new car smell and a new warranty, but what if we told you that, in many cases, you can get even more bang for your buck from buying a used Nissan. Would you believe us?
This is one reason why Coyle Nissan is the perfect place to shop for used Nissans. We’re here to guide you through the entire car-buying process, and that begins by understanding the many benefits of buying a used or certified pre-owned Nissan. This comes with understanding the key differences between a used vehicle and one that’s certified pre-owned. Yes, there’s a reason the sticker price on a CPO is higher, and you’ll want to know that reason before you start your Nissan shopping spree. So, let’s get started.
Do you have your eye on a workhorse like the Titan, a spacious SUV like the Pathfinder, or an efficient sedan like the Maxima? If you’re looking to save even more money and avoid some of the pitfalls of new car ownership, like rapid depreciation and higher insurance premiums, we encourage you to shop for a used Nissan first. In fact, the Coyle Nissan team highly recommends it, and here’s why!
The biggest benefit of buying a used vehicle is avoiding the high rate of depreciation on a new car. While a new car comes with great perks like lower finance rates, it starts depreciating the moment you drive off the lot. A new vehicle will lose up to half of its value over the first three years of its life on the road. By buying a used car that’s at least three years old or older, you can avoid this initial depreciation and still reap the benefits of a newer model.
Buying a used vehicle also gives you more car for your money and more bang for your buck. Let’s say that your dream SUV is a Nissan Armada with all the bells and whistles you can imagine, but the Nissan Pathfinder is a better fit for your budget. If you stick to only new Nissans, then there isn’t much wiggle room on pricing. However, if you consider used options, you’ll often find that higher-level trims and models like the Armada are more affordable.
As you can see, used cars often give you more car for your money. This is also true when it comes to insurance coverage. Since insurance rates are based on the value of the car, used cars typically come with lower rates because they have already passed the initial stages of depreciation and are less valuable. Consider this: it costs an insurance company a lot more to replace a new car that’s totaled in a wreck than it does to replace a used car.
A lot of customers shy away from buying used vehicles because of the risk involved, i.e., that the vehicle will break down just a few months after their purchase or right after the warranty expires. Fortunately, there’s less risk involved in shopping for used cars today, thanks to companies like CarFax that offer vehicle history reports. Designed to give you more confidence in shopping for a used vehicle, these reports deliver vital information such as the number of owners, accident history, repair history, and more. By using these reports, you’ll learn more about the car, if it’s worth getting an independent inspection, or if it’s time to continue your search.
One of the biggest benefits of shopping for a used Nissan deserves a category of its own - certified pre-owned. If you’ve ever shopped for a used vehicle, you’ve likely noticed that certified pre-owned vehicles come with a higher price tag than used vehicles. This increase in price reflects the extra work put into the vehicle to ensure it meets Nissan’s benchmarks for certification. What do we mean?
For a Nissan to be certified, the vehicle must be less than six years old, have fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer, and have a clean title. If the vehicle meets these criteria, it moves to the next phase of certification - a comprehensive study of the vehicle’s history. Once the Nissan’s history is examined, the vehicle then undergoes a 167-point inspection conducted by a certified Nissan technician. If the vehicle passes inspection and needs only minor repairs, the repairs are done, and then the vehicle is certified.
Nissan’s extensive certified pre-owned qualification process is designed to give drivers peace of mind when shopping for a certified pre-owned Nissan. But Nissan knows that this isn’t enough and gives drivers even more confidence in their purchase by offering a seven-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty as well as roadside assistance. Whether you have a flat tire, the battery dies, or you need a tow, Nissan has you covered.
Now that you know the benefits of shopping for a used Nissan or a certified pre-owned Nissan, let’s talk about the benefits of shopping with Coyle Nissan. By shopping with us, you’re supporting a small local business that takes great pride in offering the best car-buying and car-owning experience in town. How can we make that promise? Because we’re not just here to sell you a car, we’re here to help you maintain it for years down the road.
First entering the automotive industry in 1945, we’ve spent the last eight decades building the Coyle legacy around our commitment to our customers and our core family values of honesty, integrity, and transparency in our business practices. We don’t believe in high-pressure sales, which is why when you shop with us, you’ll instantly feel like part of the family.
As part of our family, we’re here to help you get in the Nissan of your dreams. That begins with browsing our extensive inventory of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs either in person or through our virtual showroom. From there, we’ll guide you through every step of the process, from the test drive to your financing or leasing options. Then, just when you think we can’t offer anything more, we’ll show you our service department and what truly makes us a one-stop-shop for all your Nissan needs.
First introduced for the 1985 model year, the Pathfinder has been one of Nissan’s most popular SUVs on the market. When it was first offered, it had a compact two-door design based on the tough Nissan Hardbody pickup. Starting with its second generation, however, the Pathfinder became a midsize crossover SUV that utilizes unibody construction rather than a truck-like body-on-frame design. This has remained the case ever since, so the used Pathfinder models you encounter will likely be comfortable family vehicles rather than rugged off-road machines.
A third-generation for the Nissan Pathfinder kicked off with the 2005 model year, while a fourth-generation launched starting with 2013 models. Fifth-generation Pathfinder models went on sale for the 2022 model year, so these will be the rarest when looking at used vehicles. If you want a used Pathfinder in order to save money and avoid depreciation while still getting a model with some of the latest features, it is best to focus on fourth-generation models from 2013 or later.
In particular, there was a facelift for the Pathfinder in 2017, so models starting then can be a great overall value. This included an exterior update with a new front fascia as well as updated headlights and taillights – not to mention an improved V6 engine for superior performance. As you look at different used Pathfinder models, pay attention to the trims that you find, as that will impact the features they offer. Models from the starting S or the slightly improved SV trims will be the most affordable, while the Platinum trim will provide you with the best overall features, including soft leather upholstery and a premium sound system.
The Nissan Frontier was introduced in 1997 as a compact pickup truck to replace the Nissan Hardbody from previous years. A second generation for the Frontier was released for the 2005 model year with a major redesign that turned it into a midsize truck to better match what customers are looking for here in the US. This second-generation for the Frontier has been available ever since, with some updates but no full redesign until the all-new 2022 model. The majority of used Frontier vehicles you find are going to be from this 16-year second generation, so keep that in mind as you are looking for the right pickup.
Although some people like to take shots at how long this generation lasted for the Nissan Frontier, it sold well and remained popular due to its great price and legendary reliability. This means you will find a lot of them on the used market, and a pre-owned Frontier is a fantastic choice if you want a midsize pickup. It received a pretty significant facelift in 2009, so we particularly like models from the last decade that take advantage of that update.
Older Frontier models featured a 2.5L I-4 engine or a 4.0L V6, so keep that in mind when you are looking at used options. Starting with 2020 models, Nissan replaced these engines with a 3.8L V6 that is actually the engine being used in the newest generation; if you want the best performance on a used option, then look for one of these. Various trims have been available each year, and we particularly like the off-road-ready PRO-4X with its upgraded four-wheel drive performance.
First introduced for the 2008 model year, the Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV that has been incredibly popular throughout its production. In fact, since it was first released, the Rogue has become Nissan’s best selling vehicle, even more popular than the Altima. Since its initial launch, there have been several generations, with the second generation starting with the 2014 model and the third generation launching for 2021.
Although there are plenty of great Nissan Rogues available from the first generation, our favorite used models are those from the second generation, thanks to their updated features. Even though this is a compact crossover with standard seating for five people, you can actually find examples with optional third-row seats, expanding seating to seven passengers. This is something you will not find in just about any other compact SUV, and it is just one part of what makes the Rogue so unique and popular.
Perhaps most exciting, a hybrid engine became available as part of an update for the 2017 Nissan Rogue. If you are looking at more recent used models, then this is definitely something to keep in mind since the hybrid powertrain provides significantly boosted fuel economy. As you are looking at different pre-owned models, keep an eye out for the higher trims, which provide added luxury and sophistication. Nissan’s Zero Gravity front bucket seats are among the most comfortable and satisfying seating in the industry and are not to be missed.
If you want a Nissan pickup, but you need something bigger than the midsize Frontier, then take a look at the full-size Nissan Titan. First introduced for the 2004 model year, the Titan was designed to provide those in need of full-size power with the reliability and luxury of a Nissan. A second generation for the Titan kicked off with the 2016 model year, and you will find a number of fantastic options on the used market from both of these generations.
When looking at first-generation models, we should note that there was a mid-cycle refresh for the Titan in 2008, so models from that year and after are going to be your best choice. For the latest features and options, however, we typically recommend a second-generation Nissan Titan to our customers. The price on it will likely be a bit higher than an older used Titan, but the improvements that you get in the second generation justify the higher cost.
One particularly noteworthy aspect of the second generation is that it introduced a second option: the Nissan Titan XD, which is built on a heavy-duty frame designed to handle more work than the standard Titan. A four-door crew cab, as well as smaller king cab and regular cab models, has been available, so you can find different configurations out there. There is only one engine offered on most years of the Titan: a 5.6L V8. This means you do not have to worry about finding one with weak performance – any used Nissan Titan is going to be a great pick.
One of the most popular sedans on the market, the Nissan Altima was first introduced for the 1993 model year as a compact option. Starting with its second generation, however, it was redesigned as a slightly longer and wider model, making it a midsize sedan – and it has remained a popular midsize option ever since. Within Nissan’s lineup, the Altima slots in between the smaller Sentra and the more luxurious Nissan Maxima.
A third generation for the Altima kicked off with the 2002 model year, with a fourth generation following that in 2007, and a fifth in 2012 – the sixth generation launched with the 2019 model. This means there have been a lot of different updates, features, and options available on the Altima over the last 20 years. Even if you are only looking at the most recent two generations, you will still find a wide range of different vehicles to choose from.
The fifth-generation redesign makes it one of our favorites; there was even a facelift halfway through in 2016. If you have the budget for it, however, the sixth-generation models are some of the best out there, especially in terms of technology and advanced safety features. A 2019 Altima, for example, comes with Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which includes Pro-Pilot Assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection - all standard. Every Altima from the sixth generation features an 8-inch infotainment display and the latest connectivity features, plus all-wheel drive is even available, something rarely found on a midsize sedan.
Nissan has a reputation for building reliable vehicles capable of logging thousands of miles and meeting various needs, whether navigating daily commutes and rush-hour traffic, hauling groceries, managing carpools, or trekking across the country for a family vacation. This capability is exactly what makes Nissan one of the best-selling brands in the industry and is why we’re proud to be your leading used Nissan dealer. Nissan has been a staple vehicle brand for many drivers for years, and if you have never driven a Nissan before, it may be time for you to take one for a spin and feel the difference.
From shiny and new cutting-edge Nissan models to used and certified pre-owned vehicles that are reliable, there is a Nissan out there for you, and we can help you find it. So, are you ready to reap the benefits of everything Nissan has to offer? Then it’s time to visit Coyle Nissan, where we’re ready to give you a real and personal car buying experience that will put you in a vehicle you will love for years to come.
