--- title: "Buying a 10-Year-Old Chevy Impala Maximizes Your Miles per Dollar: Study" date: "2022-12-19" modified: "2022-12-19" authors: - name: "Lewin Day" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/lewin-day" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/buying-a-10-year-old-chevy-impala-maximizes-your-miles-per-dollar-study" categories: - "Car Buying" - "Chevrolet News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Buying a 10-Year-Old Chevy Impala Maximizes Your Miles per Dollar: Study ![]() *\Chevy\* A 10-year-old [Chevy]() Impala is one of the best value used-car buys out there right now, according to new research. A study from *[iSeeCars]()* investigated which decade-old used cars offer the most remaining lifespan per dollar. The research determined which used cars scored best on longevity and compared those vehicles based on market pricing data. Over 2 million used vehicles were analyzed as a part of the study. Models were ranked by the lowest price per remaining 1,000 miles of expected lifespan. It's rare that a 10-year-old Chevrolet Impala tops any list, but in this regard, it's a stellar performer. Study data indicated that these Impalas have, on average, a remaining lifespan of around 111,996 miles. With average prices sitting at $9,706, the Impala comes in at $87 per 1,000 miles of remaining lifespan. The [Toyota Prius]() came in second. Despite offering a longer potential lifespan, the Prius is a more expensive buy, with an average price of $13,878. It came in at a score of $107 per 1,000 miles, closely followed by the [Honda Civic]() at $108. ![]() *The 2012 Toyota Prius came a close second to the Chevy Impala in the study results. *Toyota** *iSeeCars* ran the numbers for five-year-old cars, too. Newer cars naturally have more remaining life, but also cost more. At this point, the [Honda Fit]() topped the listings. With an average price of $18,486 and a remaining lifespan of 154,826 miles, it comes in at just $119 per 1,000 miles. It's closely followed by the Civic, Toyota Prius, and [Toyota Camry](). Meanwhile, a five-year-old Impala is not as attractive an option, coming in fifth at $135 per 1000 miles of remaining life. Both lists are dominated by Japanese automakers. Given the study is scoring vehicles on a combination of affordability and reliability, that's not surprising. For 10-year-old cars, the Impala, Ford Fusion, and Dodge Caravan were the only entries from U.S. automakers in the top 10. For five-year-old cars, just the Fusion and Impala made the top 10. Obviously, this isn't the sole metric for buying a used car. Running costs vary between models and aren't accounted for here. Plus, a basic sedan or hatchback won't serve everyone's needs. Also, you could still purchase a car from this list and end up with a lemon. It's based on averages, and by no means guarantees that every single Chevy Impala or Honda Civic is a good buy. Regardless, the analysis is a great way to compare vehicles based on their value in the used market. For example, Toyotas and Hondas often command a premium in resale values. As this study shows, the higher prices are often justified because they tend to outlive vehicles from their competitors. If you're in the market for a used car, it's worthwhile scanning over [the full results]() from the study to guide your decision. *Got a tip? Let the author know: lewin@thedrive.com* ## Author Lewin Day is a contributing writer tackling everything from breaking news after the offices empty out to sharing feature articles on wrenching, robotics, and the trials and tribulations of being a down-to-earth car enthusiast. He lives in Adelaide, Australia. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Twitter]()