What could be better than. There are no blemishes, no places where the paint was patched up, no smell of cigarettes – it’s unspoiled inside and out. Should you splurge and spend your money on a car brand new at your local car dealership, or is a used car a better deal? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each plan.
The cost is much easier on the wallet on a used car. In fact, the minute you take a new car off the lot, it loses a large portion of its value. On the second day you own a new car, it’s still new. It still has a lot of use left, no scratches and it still smells new. But if you were to try to sell it, it isn’t a brand new car anymore, and that difference translates into dollars. You would think that the value of a car would decline slowly over its useful life, but that isn’t so. It loses significantly more value during its first few months and years. Finally, the price levels off and its value depends entirely on its condition – but it still has some value.
The potential unknown factors are the main down side of purchasing a previously owned car. Why did its previous owner get rid of it? Is it a lemon? How well was it cared for? Did it get all recommended oil changes and maintenance? Has it experienced water damage or been involved in an accident? Determining the answers to these questions is much easier now that it has ever been. Many used car dealers offer up a Carfax report, which tells you the car’s history. Has it been involved in any accidents? How many owners has it had? Cars can be tracked by their vin numbers and now that computer records have evolved, it’s much easier to compile this information.
A used car probably won’t last as long as new car would, and that’s a second disadvantage. It will require repair and maintenance earlier. The age of a previously owned car plays a big role in this factor. If a car is still fairly new, it may still be under the manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, many car dealers sell ‘certified used vehicles’. This means that they have inspected the car, done any necessary maintenance and repairs, and determined that it meets certain quality standards. Certified vehicles generally come with a warranty, so you won’t have to worry about major repairs for a period of time. Whether or not there’s a warranty, you should have your own mechanic evaluate a car before you buy it. Compare the price tag to the condition. If you accept a car with some problems, you should get it for a lower price. There’s a limit, obviously. A car that’s about to expire isn’t worth any money at all – except to the junkyard.
New cars are pricey – that’s the bad news. There’s a lot of good news too. First, a car built today will last longer than a car built even a few years ago, because engineering is improving so quickly. Also, if a new model that you like has just come out, there won’t be any used ones available. Infiniti has recently released its G37 Convertible. The few used cars that might be out there will certainly sell at a premium price for a used car. You might be better off just to buy it new.
Ultimately, buying used or new is a personal decision. It will probably depend a lot on the type of car you’re looking for. Whichever route you choose, do your homework and consider both options before you make your choice.
Written by Hannah Valez Used Cars Plano, Used Cars Roswell or Used Truck Sale
