The 7 most popular used cars among millennials

For millennial car buyers in the market for the first or second time, lower-priced used cars are a standard option, however when it comes to the appearance and performance of these cars, this generation has a more eclectic taste.

Six of the top-10 used cars most popular among millennial buyers are out of production, according to a study by car price-comparison site Edmunds.com. While these cars may not keep up with current vehicle trends, their discounted price breathes new life into them with the wave of millennial shoppers.

“The most surprising aspects of the cars on this list is that they’re really laden with utility,” Jeremy Acevedo, Edmunds.com analyst, said.

Acevedo says the list reflects the various preferences of the millennial generation, from roomy SUVs and wagons for young parents to flashier performance vehicles for the drivers who want to stand out.

As these shoppers hit the roads and these cars begin their second life, here are the top-seven used-car models among millennials in the first half of 2015.

Dodge Magnum

This remake of the station wagon was discontinued in 2008 after it was reintroduced in 2005. Despite its short shelf life as a new car, the Magnum has been able to find popularity among millennial used-car buyers, with shoppers aged 18 to 34 making up about 28% of its used sales.

Tim Kuniskis, president and chief executive of the Dodge and SRT brands for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCAU, -3.51%  , said in a statement that half of Dodge’s customers are younger than 50 years old.

The 2008 model scored a five out of five for overall performance and design in the J.D. Power ratings, but just a two out of five for overall quality.

Prices for the used model range from about $4,600 to $13,600.

Chrysler Pacifica

One of the first crossover wagons on the market in 2004, the Pacifica had trouble gaining a foothold in the market due to an array of repair issues. The last new model, which came out in the 2008 model year, received a three out of five rating for overall quality and a two out of five rating for overall performance and design in the J.D. Power ratings.

However, millennials don't seem to have paid much attention to the mixed reviews and make up about a third of used Pacifica sales. Used car prices for the 2008 model range from $3,600 to $13,000

Subaru WRX

One of two vehicles in the top-seven list that is still in production, used models of Subaru’s performance sedan, owes 26% of its sales from millennial shoppers, according to Edmunds.com. The 2015 model ranked better than most in its segment for overall performance and design in the J.D. Power ratings, but just average in overall quality.

Subaru spokesman Michael McHale says the WRX’s mix of “safety and reliability as well as very exciting performance,” makes it an appealing used buy.

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The TrailBlazer experienced wide popularity its first time around when the midsize SUV was introduced in 2002. However, as more refined models began to enter the segment, it fell to the wayside and was discontinued in the 2009 model year.

Millennials don’t seem to mind its subtler look compared with newer crossovers however, and make up about a quarter of its used-car sales.

Tom Wilkinson, a spokesman for General Motors GM, -0.83%  , says the SUV’s “practical” nature makes it appealing to drivers who value space and functionality. It was also produced in high volumes during its manufacturing lifetime, making it a staple for the used car market and easy to repair.

“It’s a very rugged vehicle,” Wilkinson says. “It’s a practical vehicle with a lot of space.”

The 2009 model rates among the best in overall quality in J.D. Power ratings, though rates just two out of five for overall performance and design. Used models range from about $5,200 to $19,600.

Volkswagen R32

The compact performance car was only released in limited quantities for the 2004 and 2008 model years, appealing more to the flashier faction of the millennial generation, who make up about 26% of its sales.

“[The Volkswagen R32] champions the portion of this list that’s reflective of the individual nature of millennials,” Acevedo says. “They’re distinctive, performance-oriented low-volume vehicles.”

Volkswagen spokesman John Schilling says the R32’s “everyday drivability in a very sporty package,” in addition to its limited availability make it an appealing option to the auto maker’s customers.

The 2008 model of the sporty hatchback ranges from $11,000 to $21,100.

Pontiac Aztec

Coming in at the number-5 spot in the Edmunds.com ranking of 100 Ugliest Cars of All Time, the short-lived Aztek — the vehicle lasted from the 2001 to 2005 model years — isn't for the trendy driver.

Wilkinson says that despite the criticism the Aztek has received for its appearance, it is spacious and functional, and was one of the first vehicles in the now popular crossover market.

“It’s one of those vehicles people like to make fun of,” Wilkinson says. “But it was one of the first crossovers, it was fairly large and a fairly versatile vehicle, and a pretty nice vehicle to drive. When you’re first at something people get a little confused.”

One of the possible reasons that millennials make up about 26% of its used sales is what Edmunds.com calls the “Breaking Bad Effect.” In the popular AMC drama, the show’s antihero, Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, drove a 2003 Pontiac Aztek as he transformed from a high-school science teacher to a drug kingpin. The show ran from 2008 to 2013 and averaged an audience of 3.3 million adults aged 18 to 49 each week, according to The Hollywood Reporter. ß each week or for the whole series?

“It’s a real trend,” Acevedo says. “Every once in a while there are vehicles that make their way into pop culture for various reasons.” Breaking Bad had a huge audience, and it’s the vehicle they identify with the show, he adds.

Show enthusiasts could be driving the unconventional SUV as a tribute the late fictional Walter White.

Nissan GT-R

The GT-R is another performance vehicle that has become popular among showier millennials, debuting in 2009 and continues to be manufactured today.

Nissan spokesman Dan Beodore attributes the GT-R’s popularity to its role in the Gran Turismo videogame series and its reputation as “an attainable supercar.”

“It always shows up as a favorite among young people,” Beodore writes in a statement.

Even used, the model is the priciest on the list, with 2009 used models ranging from $29,200 to $100,900.

Taken from www.marketwatch.com