10 Used Car Models With the Biggest Dealer Markups

Used cars can be great value unless you walk into a dealer charging huge markups. Some models command significantly higher prices at dealerships due to demand, reputation, or pricing strategies, leaving buyers paying far more than market value. These 10 used car models are notorious for the biggest dealer markups and are worth knowing before you shop.

Toyota Tacoma

Man, the Tacoma’s like that one friend who never grows up but somehow keeps getting more expensive every year. Dealers are slapping those markups like it’s concert tickets for a reunion tour. You walk in thinking, maybe 30 grand? Nope. Forty if you blink. And it’s like… it’s a truck, bro. A small one. But I do get it, kinda. It smells like the outdoors, and the seats have that “I survived in mud” energy. My cousin had one, the old one, that rattled like a bag of marbles but never died. Dealer markups though, yeesh.

Ford Bronco

So the Bronco came back and everyone lost their minds. I get it, the boxy look, the retro nostalgia, the “I’m going off-road even though I live in the suburbs” fantasy. But dude, dealers are out here asking like sixty grand for a $45k build. It’s wild. I sat in one once, smelled like new leather mixed with marketing hype. Cool car, yeah, but maybe not that cool. (unless you really want everyone at Starbucks to know you have one).

Honda Civic Type R

Ugh, this one hurts because I actually love this car. But have you seen the dealer markups? Fifteen, twenty grand extra just because… red badge? I drove an older Civic once, it squeaked, the cupholder was broken, but I loved it, it was honest. Now it’s like this shiny, fast alien spaceship that costs more than a BMW M2 if you factor in the markup. Wild. Still wanna drive it though. I’m weak.

Jeep Wrangler

Every Wrangler owner acts like they’re ready to scale Everest, and I respect the confidence. Dealers know people are emotional about this thing, so yeah, let’s ask $10k over MSRP. It’s noisy, and the roof leaks a little if it rains hard (mine did, anyway). But there’s something about that clunky feeling that’s… addictive. You smell the damp carpet after camping once and somehow it becomes part of you. It’s dumb but also, maybe perfect?

Toyota 4Runner

Man, the 4Runner crowd is like a cult. Good cult, but still. Dealers marking these up because they can, especially since Toyota refuses to redesign it. It’s like paying sixty grand for a time machine. Looks the same, drives the same, still smells like crayons when it’s hot inside. I swear all Toyotas smell like that. But people love it because it feels real, mechanical. And yeah, I kinda get that.

Chevrolet Corvette

This one cracks me up. The new one’s mid-engine, looks like a baby supercar, and costs, well, it should cost around seventy, but tack on that markup and suddenly we’re talking ninety. One dealer I visited wouldn’t even let me sit in it unless I “was serious about buying.” Bro, I’m wearing flip-flops, chill. It’s gorgeous though. And loud. And tiny inside. Like a cockpit that happens to have cupholders.

Tesla Model Y

Okay, hear me out, I kinda like the Model Y even though everyone dunks on Tesla drivers. It’s comfy, quiet, weirdly quick. But some dealers (or resellers, whatever) are playing games with these prices, I saw one listed for like $65k when it should’ve been $50k. The joke? People pay it. Because “instant torque” or something. You can feel it, like a spaceship jump. But the inside smells like… nothing. No personality. Just silence. Creepy.

Subaru Crosstrek

The wholesome little cinnamon roll of cars. And yet, markups! Why! It’s a 30k car pretending to be rare treasure. But it’s cute, I’ll give you that. Smells like hiking boots and dog hair. I borrowed one once and forgot it was running because it’s so quiet, like whispering “it’s okay, I’ll get you there slowly.” Dealers really pushing that lifestyle fantasy though. “Adventure ready,” they say. Adventure to the overpriced gas pump, maybe.

GMC Yukon

If you want to feel huge, this is it. It’s a house on wheels. Dealers know everyone wants it for the “luxury dad” vibe, so they stack markups like pancakes. Hundred grand easy. You feel like the president inside it, but also, it guzzles fuel like a champ. I kinda love how the steering feels disconnected, like you’re commanding a ship. My uncle had one, smelled like cologne and air freshener pretending to be leather. Nostalgic in a weird way.

Porsche 911

Yeah okay, I wasn’t gonna put it here, but come on. Porsche dealers are basically auctioneers. You think you’re buying a $120k car and suddenly it’s $160k “because allocation.” I looked at one once, stood next to it like it was sacred. Smelled like new money and tire rubber. Perfect proportions though, like they know they don’t need to change anything. I’d still want one. Even if it means selling a kidney.