Pristine New Car Or Cheap Used Car?
Posted by Hannah Valez in Uncategorized, tags: autos, cars, hybrid vehicles, new cars, saving money, trucks, Uncategorized, used cars, vehiclesA brand new automobile is a delightful thing. It’s perfect inside and out - no blemishes, no places where the paint was scratched by the garage door, it even smells new. Should you splurge and buy a car brand new from the dealership showroom, or is a used car a better deal? Each option has benefits and drawbacks.
The price tag is much easier on the wallet on a used car. In fact, a brand new car loses a large portion of its value the minute it’s driven off the car dealer’s lot. On the second day you own a new car, it’s still new. It still has a lot of miles left, no scratches and it still smells new. But if you were to try to sell it, it’s no longer a brand new car, and that difference translates into dollars. It would be reasonable to assume that the value of a car would decline steadily over its useful life, but that’s not how it works. A car’s few months and years see a disproportionate loss of value. Ultimately, the price levels off and its value is determined solely by its condition - but it still has some value.
The potential unknown factors are the largest disadvantage of getting a used car. Why did its old 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 been wrecked and repaired, or has it experienced flood damage? Ascertaining the answers to these questions is much easier now that it has ever been. A Carfax report tells you the car’s history, and many dealers offer them at their expense. Has it been involved in any wrecks? How many owners has it had? The information age has made it much easier to compile this information by tracing a car’s vehicle id number.
A used car probably won’t last as long as new car, and that’s a second disadvantage. It will require repair and maintenance earlier. This, of course, depends a great deal on the age of the used car. The manufacturer’s warranty may still apply if the car is still relatively new. In fact, most used car dealers sell ‘certified used cars’. This means that they have inspected the car, done any necessary maintenance and repairs, and determined that it meets certain quality standards. Certified vehicles often come with a warranty, so you won’t have to worry about major repairs for a while. Whether or not there’s a warranty, you should have your own mechanic evaluate a car before you buy it. Compare the condition of the car to its price. A lower price is the reward for accepting a car with some problems. There’s a limit, obviously. If a car is on its last leg, it’s not worth money to anyone - except the junkyard.
Everybody knows the bad news about new cars - they cost a lot. There’s a lot of good news too. First, engineering is improving, so a car made today will last longer than a car built even a few years ago. Also, if a new model that you like has just been released, 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.
In the end, 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.
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