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So, you want a car that will last; it’s on most car shoppers’ lists. However, no two models are the same. Still, you can stack the odds in your favor with one of these picks for the best cars for the money from the last 10 years, like the Chevrolet Impala or Toyota Avalon. 

  • Chevrolet Impala
  • Toyota Prius 
  • Honda Civic Coupe
  • Kia Sedona 
  • Toyota Avalon

What is the lifespan of an Impala?

A Chevrolet Impala, with proper care and maintenance, has the potential to last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles. According to iSeeCars, the average potential lifespan for a 10-year-old Impala is around 230,343 miles, but that’s not the limit to how far Chevy’s sedan can travel. Moreover, iSeeCars says that a Chevrolet Impala from that timeframe has around 48.6% of its lifespan remaining. 

A 2010 Chevrolet Impala shows off its front-end styling.
Chevrolet Impala | General Motors

Also, the results suggest that the Chevy Impala is the only popular vehicle iSeeCars evaluated that costs less than $100 per 1,000 miles of ownership. Specifically, the Impala costs an average of $87 per thousand miles, making it quite a bit cheaper than the nearest vehicles. Furthermore, a 10-year-old Impala has an average price of about $9,706 to purchase, making it one of the most cost-effective options of the five best cars for the money. 

How much is a 10-year-old Prius worth?

A Toyota Prius from 2012 has an average used price of about $13,878. While that makes it more expensive than a comparable Chevrolet Impala, it’s still a bargain. For instance, the Prius’ potential lifespan is about 250,601 miles, with 51.7% of its lifespan remaining. That ratio makes the Prius one of the longest-lasting vehicles on the list. 

Is a Honda Civic a long-lasting car?

The Honda Civic is a long-lasting car, especially the now-discontinued two-door coupe variant. A 10-year-old Honda Civic Coupe has a potential lifespan of about 226,120 miles with a remaining lifespan of 52.1%. As a result, owners can expect their Civic to last 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. 

Is the Kia Sedona a good vehicle?

The Kia Sedona is a minivan with great longevity scores and a low average price for a 10-year-old example. As a result, the Kia Sedona is a good vehicle. For instance, a Sedona from 2012 or a comparable model year has an average price of $9,640. Moreover, the Sedona has an average lifespan of around 208,615, with many miles ahead of it. 

A Kia Sedona like this one is one of the best cars for the money.
Kia Sedona | Christopher Evans, MediaNews Group, Boston Herald via Getty Images

Which is the better car, a Toyota Avalon or a Lexus ES 350?

While the Toyota Avalon is closely comparable to a Lexus ES 350, the Avalon is better than the ES 350 in used value and longevity. For instance, a 10-year-old Avalon has an average price of about $15,818 with a potential lifespan of approximately 245,710 miles. That makes the Avalon a solid prospect for used car shoppers. 

Moreover, the Avalon’s lifespan figures put the Toyota sedan at the top of the sedans and hatchbacks segment. The Lexus ES 350, with 204,642 miles, took the number eight spot on the list. So, from a lifespan and used car price perspective, the Avalon is the better option.

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