Skip the Entry-Level New Car: Why a 2-Year-Old Toyota Camry Is the Smarter Play

That new-car smell is intoxicating, no doubt. But the instant you drive a brand-new compact off the lot, it loses thousands in value. If you’re shopping for an affordable ride, a lightly used Toyota Camry from 2023 or 2024 might actually be a better bet than a brand-new Nissan Versa or Hyundai Venue.

Let’s compare. A base 2025 Nissan Versa starts around $17,390, but after delivery fees and taxes, you’re looking at nearly $19,000. The Versa is small, with only 122 horsepower, and production ended in 2025, so supply is limited. Meanwhile, a 2023 Camry LE can be found for as low as $17,500 with under 60,000 miles.

For the same money, you get a much bigger cabin, a 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine, and a reputation for running reliably past 200,000 miles. The Camry also offers optional all-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain, features you simply can’t get in a new Versa.

Long-term ownership math favors the Camry, too. D. Power, the Camry beats the Versa on quality and reliability. And because it has already taken its biggest depreciation hit, you’ll lose less money over the next few years. Fuel economy is nearly identical, the base Camry actually sips less gas than a manual Versa.

Even with slightly higher maintenance costs for an older car, the Camry’s durability and lower purchase price make it the more economical choice.

So if your budget is around $20,000, skip the entry-level new car. A two- to three-year-old Toyota Camry gives you more space, more power, and better long-term value. Whether you want front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, a gas engine, a hybrid, or even a V6, there’s a used Camry out there that fits your life.

At Boca Auto Care, we’ve seen these cars roll in for routine service year after year with few complaints. They’re built to last, and that’s a smarter investment than any new compact.