Buick Regal Tops Among Those Traded-In After One Year Of Ownership

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

In a hurry to trade your new Buick Regal for something else? You’re not alone, as the sedan joins a handful of models traded-in after a year of ownership.

Per a report by iSeeCars.com, 2.7 percent of vehicles bought new end up on the used lot after being on the road for one year, Forbes reports, with trade-in rates as high as 11 percent for a specific model.

The models brought back to the sales lot run the gamut, from $18,000 subcompacts to $45,000 luxury sedans. The Regal tops the list with 10.7 percent of owners exchanging their keys after a year, the Chevrolet Sonic takes second with 8.9 percent, and the BMW X1 at a close third with 7.8 percent. The Dodge Charger, Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, Chevrolet Cruze and Nissan Frontier also make the list.

As for why the sudden change of heart, quality or the perception of quality played a key role; the aforementioned models were rated poorly by owners surveyed in J.D. Power’s 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Survey. ISeeCars.com CEO Phong Ly says those issues usually involve technology, such as connected-vehicle systems, voice command, and Bluetooth connection, and aren’t so much “problems” as they are difficulties with said technologies.

Those looking for a deal on those models will likely be happy with what they find on the used lot, though. The 2014 Regal with average mileage comes with a price tag 32.2 percent less than new, while the C-Class and Charger lost 31.0 percent and 28.4 percent in new-car value after a year, respectively.

[Photo credit: Alex L. Dykes/ The Truth About Cars]

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • An innocent man An innocent man on May 07, 2015

    My father in law (about 75yo) buys a new car about every 3-4 years, and never ever test drives one. He'll call down to the one dealer in town and ask what they have. He'll pick from the list they rattle off and tells them he'll be down in the morning to do the paperwork and pick it up. Furthermore, every spring and fall when the clocks change, he has to wait until our next trip home so I can adjust the clock for him, no matter how many times I freaking show him how to change it. I can imagine the first time he ends up with a new car with some sort of infotainment, it won't take but a few days for him to trade it back in on something. Even something used.

    • See 2 previous
    • Mechaman Mechaman on May 08, 2015

      @DeadWeight I knew a man who did that every OTHER year.

  • Slance66 Slance66 on May 07, 2015

    In my non-stop car search, I'm frequently checking Autotrader and Cars, and if I search for AWD sedans, the C300 is everywhere. Hundreds of them it seems. The GLK is the same if I look for SUVs at the same price range (and more than a few MLs).

    • Thornmark Thornmark on May 07, 2015

      Could it be because the latest C is so much better than the previous one?

  • Rentonben Rentonben on May 07, 2015

    Note: I have a german built Regal, so I may be biased. I have a suspicion that the Regal is one of those cars that's bought by older people that have are at that stage of life where they just don't give a s#it about their money - they trade cars every few years just because.

    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on May 07, 2015

      I'm not sure the US has enough sales to get a specific "Regal type" customer.

  • Brandloyalty Brandloyalty on May 07, 2015

    Any such study would have to consider circumstances. Such as what the car was replaced with. If people really liked a car, they might very well be happy to part with the cash to get a brand new one. On the other hand, some models might appeal to an older demographic and have a high proportion of estate sales.

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