Used Cars For Sale in San Francisco, CA (2024)

FAQs

What website has the largest inventory of used cars? ›

AutoTrader: Best for comparing options

If you're looking for a site with extensive inventory, this is it — AutoTrader has millions of listings for you to search and filter. Plus, you can choose a car financing option and submit it directly on their site.

The “sweet spot” for purchasing a used car is between 2 to 5 years old. This is the age range where the car has already gone through the steepest part of its depreciation curve, but it's still relatively new and in good condition.

Aliso Viejo, in southern Orange County, has been named the #1 most affordable city in the state of California in which to buy a car. According to a recent survey by Autolist.com, Aliso Viejo is approximately $1,160 less expensive for buying automobiles than anywhere else in the state.

Our Top Picks for Used Car Websites

Cars.com, Carvana, Edmunds, CarMax and TrueCar are our top recommendations for used car websites. Whether you want to find your ideal pre-owned vehicle or find the right buyer for a car you're selling, these sites are easy to use and offer excellent customer support.

There's no rule to how many miles on a used car is too much, but by attempting to stick to the 12,000 miles per year rule is a great place to start. Find out how old the car is, multiple the number of years by 12,000, and if the number on the odometer is significantly higher than that, some concern might be warranted.

Used and new cars follow similar cycles. If you're shopping for a used car, the early months of the year — January and February — are a good time to ship. You may see more vehicles on the market then as people sell their old vehicles after buying new ones over the holidays.

Today, buying 10-year-old used cars definitely makes sense, provided you keep a few parameters in mind. Why buying a 10-year-old used car is a good idea? Budget is the primary reason why you should consider a 10-year-old vehicle. In its first year, a new vehicle loses almost 20% of its initial dollar value.

The automotive industry has undergone significant technological advancements over the past two decades. Features such as advanced safety systems, infotainment, and fuel efficiency may be lacking in a 20-year-old car, potentially compromising the overall driving experience and safety.

Toyota keeps its crown as the best-selling vehicle in the Golden State for yet another year. The Japanese automaker has been the top seller in California for the eighth year in a row, according to the CNCDA reports dating back to 2016. “I would expect them to continue to be successful,” Maas said about Toyota.

What state is the cheapest to purchase a car? ›

As you can see, New Hampshire is the most affordable state for new and used car purchases. It's worth noting that Florida and Oregon are viable choices. Florida's lowest starting cost can explain its unanticipated expenses. Furthermore, Florida cars will be in much better shape, which is a huge long-term benefit.

States like Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Delaware, and New Hampshire stand out due to their lack of statewide sales tax, as well as generally low unexpected fees. Iowa is also noteworthy for its affordable insurance rates, averaging less than $720 annually.

New Cars with the Most and Least Inventory

As we can see below, Stellantis brands have the most inventory, followed by GM and Ford among the mainstream automakers. Toyota has the least inventory, and as a result, the least negotiable prices.

Carvana inventory for the quarter ending March 31, 2024 was $1.162B, a 21.75% decline year-over-year. Carvana inventory for 2023 was $1.15B, a 38.7% decline from 2022. Carvana inventory for 2022 was $1.876B, a 40.43% decline from 2021. Carvana inventory for 2021 was $3.149B, a 203.96% increase from 2020.

Unsold vehicles stay in the dealer's lot until someone buys them. Unsold new cars may be sold at a discounted price or used as service loan vehicles. It might be a good idea to buy an unsold unit of the previous model year because these vehicles are in good condition and are typically unused.