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 If you are shopping around Lodi or Bergen County and trying to keep the payment low, the best move is usually not chasing the newest vehicle on the lot. It is comparing the right used vehicles honestly: price, mileage, drivetrain, body style, and what each one is actually good for. This week at AW Auto & Truck Wholesalers, there are a few practical choices that give budget shoppers different lanes without turning the search into a giant inventory dump.

The current group includes a 2017 Honda Accord Sedan Sport CVT with Honda Sensing at $11,997, a 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring with RES & Navi at $11,997, a 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback at $7,997, and a 2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4WD at $5,409. None of these should be treated like new cars. They are used vehicles with real mileage and real tradeoffs. That is exactly why the right comparison matters.

2017 Honda Accord Sedan Sport CVT with Honda Sensing: familiar sedan value

The 2017 Honda Accord Sedan Sport CVT with Honda Sensing is listed at $11,997 with 154,559 miles. It is a white FWD sedan with an automatic transmission and a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine. The hook here is simple: many North Jersey shoppers still want a regular sedan because it is easy to park, easy to understand, and a good fit for commuting between Lodi, Hackensack, Passaic, Teaneck, and the rest of Bergen County.

The mileage is not low, and the copy should not pretend it is. The reason this Accord belongs in the conversation is the combination of a known Honda sedan name, under-$12k pricing, and the Sport CVT with Honda Sensing trim listed in the inventory. Honda Sensing can be part of the trim angle, but a buyer should still verify the exact equipment and operation in person. For someone deciding between a higher-mile known sedan and a newer unknown car at a higher payment, this Accord is worth a look and a proper test drive.

2013 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring with RES & Navi: family-size utility near $12k

The 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring with RES & Navi is also listed at $11,997, with 116,725 miles. It has 4WD, an automatic transmission, a 3.5 liter V6, and a Dark Cherry Pearl II exterior. This is the family-utility option in today’s group: bigger than a sedan, more substantial than a small commuter car, and useful for shoppers who want SUV space and 4WD without stretching into newer-SUV money.

Because this is an older Pilot, the smart buyer should focus on condition instead of just trim name. The listing trim says Touring with RES & Navi, but shoppers should verify the entertainment and navigation equipment themselves and make sure everything they care about works. On the test drive, pay attention to brake feel, suspension noise, transmission behavior, tires, warning lights, and 4WD engagement. For a Bergen County family trying to balance room and budget, this Pilot may be the right lane if it checks out in person.

2014 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback: lower-mile commuter value under $8k

The 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback is listed at $7,997 with 77,171 miles. It is a Monaco White FWD hatchback with an automatic transmission and a 1.8 liter 4-cylinder engine. In this group, it stands out because the mileage is much lower than many budget vehicles shoppers see around the same price range.

The Elantra GT makes sense for a first car, a station car, a local commuter, or someone who wants hatchback practicality without buying an SUV. It is not the biggest vehicle here and it does not offer 4WD, but it gives a buyer a smaller footprint, usable hatchback shape, and a price that stays below $8,000 before taxes and fees. If your daily drive is mostly local errands, work, school, or a train-station run, this is the budget-friendly choice to compare against larger older SUVs.

2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4WD: low-price 4WD utility with transparency

The 2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4WD is listed at $5,409 with 115,138 miles. It is a gray 4WD sport utility with a manual transmission and a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine. This one is not a fresh arrival, and it should not be presented that way. Its role in the comparison is different: very low advertised price, 4WD utility, and age/mileage transparency for shoppers who care most about getting into something useful for less money.

A buyer looking at this Patriot should be realistic. Older budget SUVs need careful inspection. Confirm clutch feel because it is listed with a manual transmission, check tires and brakes, listen for suspension noise, review any available service records, and make sure the 4WD system engages properly. For the right buyer, the low price and 4WD layout may be the reason to look. For another buyer, the Elantra GT’s lower mileage or the Pilot’s larger SUV format may make more sense.

Quick decision guide

Pick the Accord if you want a known sedan under $12k and can live with the higher mileage after a good test drive. Pick the Pilot if you need bigger SUV utility and 4WD near the same price. Pick the Elantra GT if you want the lowest mileage in this group and a compact hatchback that fits commuting and local errands. Pick the Patriot if the priority is the lowest advertised price and 4WD, with the understanding that age, manual transmission, and condition checks matter.

Buyer checks before you choose

Before buying any used vehicle in this price range, do the basics slowly. Look at tire wear, brake feel, warning lights, fluid leaks, service records when available, and how the vehicle starts cold. Drive it on local roads and at highway speed. For AWD or 4WD vehicles, ask to verify engagement where applicable. For older SUVs, listen for suspension noise and pay attention to steering feel. For higher-mile sedans, make sure the transmission feels smooth and the car tracks straight.

These vehicles are available through AW Auto & Truck Wholesalers at 23 US-46 West, Lodi NJ. Call (551) 345-8100 or stop by to compare them in person, and please verify availability before making the trip.