Cool Used Cars for Cruising Costa Mesa

One of the most popular used cars in Costa Mesa, a black 2015 Jeep Compass, is shown driving in a city.

Costa Mesa offers residents and guests amazing food and restaurants, trendy local shopping, and a variety of cultural and artistic attractions. So if you live in or around Costa Mesa, the best way to soak in the scene is with a car. Choosing from used cars in Costa Mesa offers freedom and flexibility in your choice, so you can get in and go in a set of wheels that matches your personality without breaking the bank.

Having a used car when traveling around Costa Mesa saves time. It’s convenient to get in your car and go to South Coast Plaza to do a little shopping. So with so much to enjoy in and around Costa Mesa, what type of used car should you consider? Let’s take a look at three categories, and depending on your needs, personality, and lifestyle, there is likely to be one for you just out there waiting to take you places.

Feeling the Vibe

If you’re looking for something fun to drive on the weekend or perhaps a peppy vehicle that offers an entertaining way to get to and from Huntington Beach or Newport Beach, consider a sports car. Fun, sporty cars are perfect if you love to drive and appreciate a car’s performance. These cars grip those long, winding canyon roads, so you can really feel the ride as you tighten your grip on the steering wheel, accelerate the gas, and shift your car to the next gear.

Sports cars are also pleasing to the eyes. Their bold curves and stunning lines could be what everyone is looking at when you park at Inspiration Point. Instead of admiring the ocean views, your car will be the eye candy for everyone to stare at. Some great used cars that fall into this category include:

  • Ford Mustang – A classic sports car with a unique look, tons of power, and an incredible drive. This car roars down the road and is perfect for those weekend drives.
  • Fiat Spider – A pre-owned convertible like this is unique and stylish. It’s a peppy and free-spirited driving experience at its best and perfect for a quick trip to the beach.
  • Chevy Camaro – You can’t go wrong with a Camaro. An edgy and distinctive design that is packed with a punch. Driving a Camaro is all about being bold and having fun.

When you want to have a good time, you need to get your hands on one of these fun, sporty cars, especially if you can get one used.

An orange 2018 Ford Mustang GT is parked next to a speed limit sign.

Conventional Commuting

Perhaps you want to take the family whale watching in Newport Beach or to the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington beach, consider a sedan. If you care about the environment, a sedan tends to be more fuel efficient than other car styles. It is lighter weight than a minivan or SUV, and they usually have a more efficient engine under the hood, making them the perfect choice for commuters. The other benefit here is that you save money on fuel, too, cutting your monthly car ownership costs down.

Speaking of money, sedans tend to be more affordable than high-end sports cars, minivans, or SUVs. Sure, you can buy luxury sedans, and those are great options, but in general, a middle-of-the-road sedan is pretty economical, and we tend to have an amazing selection of these vehicles on our lot at any given time.

Sedans tend to be the best option for daily commuting and errands. Quick trips to the grocery store, traveling to a business meeting, and shuttling kids to their activities are just some reasons why a sedan provides flexibility to your daily routine. Sedans tend to be very safe cars by design, given they are low to the ground and their cheaper builds give manufacturers more room to add extra features without inflating the price. Since they’re not sports cars, they’re easier to control, and unlike SUVs, you can maneuver a sedan around a neighborhood street or in a crowded parking lot a little easier too.

A few sedans worth considering if you’re browsing used cars in Costa Mesa would be:

  • Mazda 3 or 6 –These are quite sporty models, so if you want more power, either of these vehicles might be a nice compromise between a sedan and a sports car.
  • Honda Accord or Civic – These are dependable cars. The Accord is the higher-priced model and is roomier than the Civic, but your choice should simply depend on what your needs and preferences are.
  • Toyota Corolla or Camry – Like the Honda options, these are reliable and dependable vehicles. Toyota’s last a long time, so a pre-owned Toyota likely has lots of useful life in front of it.

A notable mention for a different type of commuter vehicle is the minivan. Larger families may need more room, and a sedan simply won’t cut it, so opt for a minivan. A great used minivan to look at is the Chrysler Pacifica. The Pacifica seats seven people and is all-wheel drive, so you can handle various road conditions. If you’re thinking about taking the family to the Angels game or Knotts Berry Farm, consider how convenient it would be to have a dependable sedan or minivan to do it in.

A red 2020 Mazda 6 is shown from the front parked on a brick street.

Wanderlust Experiences

Buying a used car is not complete without at least considering an SUV. Think about a fun road trip in the perfect SUV to make your driving experience relaxing and enjoyable. A typical SUV can haul at least 1,500 pounds, so you can bring along some extras when you want to take a camping trip or bring your boat out. SUVs also sit higher off the ground, so when you’re on those longer trips, you can see the road a bit better in that taller seating.

The obvious reason that SUVs are a great option is that they work better in rougher terrain. Not many people take the SUV truly ‘off the road,’ but they have heavier suspensions and sit higher off the ground to make them better for less than ideal road conditions. Whether you find yourself stuck on a pot-hole-filled road or you feel like skipping the pavement altogether, an SUV will be well suited to the diverse terrain.

Finally, many SUVs have luxury features like higher-end sedans. Heated seats, dual climate control, Wi-Fi, sync, and cruise control mean you’re traveling in comfort and style. So, not only do you get some pretty good capability, but you can also have your vehicle decked out in the latest and greatest features.

A few SUV options to keep an eye out for if you’re in the market for a used car include the following:

  • Jeep – Jeep is one of the top names in the industry for SUVs. They have several models to consider, like the Cherokee, Renegade, and Compass. Plus, if you want something that can handle off-roading, almost nothing beats a Wrangler.
  • Chevrolet – A line made up of a lot of favorites; Chevy SUVs are great if you are searching for a bigger car on a budget. They are capable, varied, and you can usually find them used for a great price.
  • Mercedes – Often thought of as too expensive, these SUVs can be affordable if you buy them pre-owned. Definitely don’t walk past a Mercedes vehicle in a used car lot because there is extraordinary value there.

Check It Out

Costa Mesa is a super cool place to live and drive around. There is so much to do and see here when you have the right used car to get around in. Whether you like sports cars, traditional sedans, or want to go off-road with an SUV, Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat has a vehicle for you. We have a wide variety of vehicles available for you to choose from, so you can find the right car for your commute or adventures.