According to the US Census Bureau, the city of Hartford, Connecticut is only 17.38 square miles in land area. More than seventy percent of the just over 122,000 residents who live in the city are over 18 years old.
That makes the demand for vehicles high as people need a way to get around, especially in areas not adequately served by public transportation. Used cars have been in demand in the state despite the population dwindling by just over 2% since 2010.
To meet the demands of the residents’ need for affordable transportation, a large number of dealerships have set up shop across the city including Ledyard Auto Sale LLC, Hartford Auto Center and VEB Auto Sales.
Here is a breakdown of the car dealerships, the those of vehicles sold, and what are the most in demand vehicles in this guide to used car dealerships in Hartford Ct.
Used Car Dealerships in Hartford Ct
There are 106 used car dealerships in Hartford Ct serving thousands of residents. That's more than 90,000 adults plus students of driving age.
The most sought-after car brand and model for consecutive years in Hartford has been the Honda Accord. A report in the Hartford Courant states that a survey of about 2.2 million passenger automobile registrations in the state shows that Honda is the most popular there, particularly in a broad swath of communities mainly northwest of Interstate 84.
The Toyota brand is pretty common in the city as well, but more so in a comparable cluster of communities. The Hartford Toyota Superstore is probably the most well known.
So, what are the dealerships offering? Are they starting to sway car buyers in another direction or sticking to the trend?
Hartford Car Dealerships By Streets
As with every city, car dealerships tend to converge in the same area. Therefore, you'll find a particular street with anywhere from two to more than a hundred dealerships.
Some sell the same types of vehicles; others sell a mixture but they all seem to get their own customer base without a fight. Jaguar, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Ford Lincoln, Lexus, Porsche, Toyota are car dealerships in Hartford that are dealerships not clustered in any of the five major zones, which are as follows:
East Hartford
There are almost 30 used car dealerships in East Hartford Ct.
Several of them are luxury car dealerships. East Hartford also has the second most dealerships in the city but is still only a third of the number over in West Hartford. Many of the dealerships in this side of town sell specific brand vehicles. The major dealerships sell Honda, Audi, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Kia, Chevrolet, and Volvo.
The smaller dealerships sell a range of brands, some certified.
Many of the mom and pops dealerships have their own repair shops, which appeals to customers who know they can come back to get their vehicle repaired there or point out things they'd like to have addressed before purchasing the car.
There is a classic motor car dealership over on Main St. and a truck dealer selling semis/tractors. There is a wide assortment of offerings in East Hartford. There are new car dealerships in the area as well.
West Hartford
A whopping 76 car dealerships compete over in West Hartford.
Now what makes this side of town stand out with used car dealerships in Ct is not the number but rather the variety. From Northwest to Southwest, Park Road near the West Boulevard Historic District, and sections of New Park Avenue, are a slew of dealerships hoping to impress customers with their vehicles' lineup. European cars are in the mix over on Park Avenue.
Every brand is represented here but from medium-sized to small dealerships, but customers are mainly leaving positive reviews, so checking out the deals on this side of town wouldn't hurt. There's a luxury/premium car sales dealership in the area.
New Park Ave
Eight car dealerships operate from New Park Avenue starting at its intersection with Prospect Avenue all the way down to New Britain Avenue.
From Mitsubishi brands, to Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota and Acura among others, you will find on the lots. There are a few Chevys, Dodge Ram. Honda Civic seems to be there in abundance. Do not settle, as many dealerships are willing to negotiate.
New Britain Ave
There are thirteen Hartford car dealerships in New Britain, and they all carry specific brands over there. From the New Britain Judicial District to John Karbonic Way you'll find new car dealerships that also sell used cars.. They include Buick, GMC, Honda, Mitsubishi, a regular car dealership, and Tow truck dealership.
Franklin Ave
Ten dealerships are located on Franklin Avenue in Hartford.
They are lined up from the intersection with Benton Street, all the way to where it meets with both Chester and Eaton Streets.
There are no significant dealers here, but there is variety. Getting a used luxury car might not happen as they are limited, but if you check patiently, you'll buy a nice car for a reasonable price. Car dealers are very friendly and helpful on this stretch, explain what you are looking for, and they'll be happy to help. There are many car repair services, so feel free to have one check out the vehicle for you.
Overall, the most incredible assortment of vehicles can be found on the West side of town. However, if you're looking for luxury or exotic cars used, East Hartford has you covered. Honda remains the most popular brand sold there, both old and new.
Remember to stick with your budget and deal with a salesperson who will be patient with you.
If you are not well versed in vehicles, bring a mechanic with you or a friend who knows their way around cars. There are a handful of dealers with ratings under four stars.
Make sure you're comfortable with your purchase, or simply walk away. Happy buying!