Upstate New Yorkers, You Won’t Want to Miss These Used Vehicles

Hey, you! Yes, you! We have a question for you. Are you looking for used car dealers in Upstate NY that are actually worth your time and attention and aren’t here just to make a buck off of you? DePaula Ford is the dealership you should visit when inquiring about the best deals on pre-owned vehicles in and around Albany, NY.

We love Albany and its neighboring towns and cities, and there’s no better way to show this than to provide its residents with top-notch automobiles at unbeatable prices. Ford vehicles are our specialty, but our used lot isn’t restricted to one manufacturer, and you can expect to find fan favorites from a wide range of esteemed manufacturers from Ford to Chevy, Volkswagen, Honda, and more.

There are vehicles for everyone here. As a resident of Upstate, NY, you know better than anyone that the winter elements can make driving difficult without the right type of vehicle. A pickup truck is a great choice for Upstaters because they offer excellent capabilities in various conditions, and we have quite a few to choose from here. We have plenty of options like America’s best-selling truck, the F-150, and favorites from other brands like GMC and Ram. If you commute day in and day out, you’re likely looking for something with more fuel-saving measures than a massive pickup truck, which is where models like the VW Passat or Ford Escape come into play.

Volkswagen Passat

Three things you can always expect in life are sunshine, seasons, and a fuel-efficient Volkswagen Passat. The Passat has been around for many years at this point, with its first release back in America back in 1974. If you aren’t too familiar with Volkswagen, you can expect excellent fuel efficiency and a striking interior in line with Volkswagen’s other offerings. If performance and efficiency are your things, then there’s no reason not to purchase a B7 or B8 Volkswagen, which were the generations released in 2010 and 2015, respectively.

Simply put, if you’re a commuter who is seeking something with both style and substance, then the Passat is a fantastic option. As mentioned, the interiors are among the best, thanks largely to its phenomenal German engineering, and as long as you purchase a model with a more modern infotainment center, you’ll be pleased with the results.

As for performance, the main difference between the B7 and B8 models, or more specifically, between the 2014 and 2015 model years, is the elimination of the 2.5L I-5 engine that came standard up until the B8’s release. Ultimately, there wasn’t much of a reason to keep this engine around, but if you were to purchase one, then you’ll be pleased with the 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque it creates.

However, the reason why this engine met its demise is that the available turbocharged 1.8L I-4 engine for the B7 Volkswagen comes standard on B8 models such as the 2015 Passat. This engine has comparable performance to the 2.5L I-5 we just discussed with 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, but it outmatches it in fuel efficiency thanks to EPA-estimated ratings of 24 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway against the 2.5L’s 22 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway (with the automatic transmissions.) With this kind of fuel efficiency on the highway, you’ll be no match for Route 87 if you’re feeling a trip to Canada via Route 87-N or take a trek down Route 87-S to visit the Big Apple.

Ford F-150

Whether it’s California, Texas, or upstate New York, there are always drivers who need a true powerhouse for their daily lives. For these drivers, it’s the Ford F-150 that always gets a recommendation from us. Chances are you’ve seen a lot of America’s best-selling truck on your daily travels. The F-150 performs admirably well in a wide range of situations. Whether you live in Albany, Hudson, or perhaps more north towards the edge of Canada, the F-150 will suit you well whether you’re looking to scratch that hobby itch or use your truck to help finish up a hard day’s work.

The F-150 is one of those vehicles where there truly is a wide variation in model years that you can shop for and be completely content with the experience you get. Currently, the F-150 is within its fourteenth generation, which began with the 2021 model year. Although you can find these on the used market, with more from this generation inevitably appearing every year, there’s no crucial disadvantage to saving money by shopping for an older F-150 model. For example, even the 2015 F-150 can be equipped with one of four available powertrains. Aside from the standard 3.6L V6 engine, there are two twin-turbo V6 engines: 2.7L and 3.5L. Expectedly, the twin-turbo 3.5L V6 is the most performant of the three, with 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, but the 2.7L variant is the most fuel-efficient, with its EPA-estimated ratings of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.

That’s not all for the F-150, however. Keeping with that same 2015 F-150 as the test bench, the best available engine is a 5.0L V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. With this engine, your F-150 will get 385 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque, and in its best configuration, the 2015 F-150 can tow a maximum of 12,200 lbs. Down the line, this twin-turbo 3.5L V6 was complemented by a hybrid variant, and with the 2021 model (for example), the F-150 can output a whopping 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, along with EPA-estimated ratings of 25 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Living in Upstate New York isn’t even a necessity for the F-150, but we recommend it for those New Yorkers who need a pure powerhouse that can get the job done with no questions asked.

Ford Escape

Depending on who you ask, SUVs are among the most important automobiles that are regularly sold on the market. SUVs give drivers the perfect blend of a decently powerful automobile with a heavy focus on passenger and cargo room. If you’re the type of driver who needs as much open space as possible in your cabin, then an SUV will be for you. There are many examples of how this could come into play, such as stocking up on groceries for a party, bringing home a new television set, or hauling a drum set to a gig. That last one is a bit specific, but it should give you an idea of the type of situations in which an SUV truly shines. Alternatively, if you know you’ll be carpooling with family or friends, then an SUV is the best way to maximize interior space to ensure everyone is comfortable.

With all of that in mind, the Escape is an SUV that checks all of the boxes for everything you’d want in an SUV. If you’re shopping for a used model, we recommend shopping for an Escape released in 2013 or later because the 2013 model saw the launch of the third generation of this titular SUV. The 2013 Escape can be fitted with either a 2.5L I-4 engine or a turbocharged 1.6L or 2.0L I-4. For the best performance, the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine is the best choice thanks to its 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, and the 2013 Escape has a maximum of 68.1 cu.ft. of cargo space with all the seats down.

Later models, such as the 2021 Escape, are more akin to the more modern SUV, complete with the Ford Co-Pilot 360 safety suite and hybrid powertrains. One more thing you should heavily consider your SUV for is vacationing. Looking to take a trip outside of New York to New Hampshire or take a few-hour-long drive East to Boston? The Escape is an SUV that you should keep your eye on.

Helping Every Upstate New Yorker Find What They Need

We get it; not every person needs their vehicle to do the same things. Some of us like to have a vehicle that can easily handle the harsh winters and unpredictable road conditions that come with living upstate. Others want to maximize potential fuel efficiency to make the drive to and from work hurt the wallet less. Luckily, no matter what you want, we can help you find the perfect fit. As Upstaters ourselves, we know what the roads are like and which vehicles will serve you best, so you can trust us to find the best fit for you.