Buying A New Car Vs. A Used Car
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A brand new automobile is a wonderful thing. There are no dents, no spots where the paint was scratched by the garage door, no smell of something that was spilled months ago - it’s unspoiled inside and out. Should you splurge and purchase a car brand new from the dealership showroom, or is a used car a better deal? There are benefits and drawbacks to each choice.
The clear advantage to buying a used car is that the cost is much nicer. In fact, the minute you drive a new car off the lot, it loses a big chunk 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 wanted to sell it, it’s no longer a brand new car, and that difference translates into dollars. It would be reasonable to think that the value of a car would decline slowly over its useful life, but that’s not how it works. A car’s few months and years see a larger drop in value than later years. Eventually, 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 drawback of purchasing a second-hand car. Why did its previous owner sell it? Is it a lemon? Was it maintained properly? Did it get all recommended oil changes and maintenance? Has it been in an accident, or has it had water damage? Fortunately it’s much simpler to ascertain the answer to these questions that it ever has 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 traced by their vin numbers and now that computer records have improved, it’s much easier to compile this information.
A used car probably won’t last as long as new car, and that’s a second drawback. It will require repair and maintenance sooner. This, of course, depends a great deal on the age of the used car. If a car is still fairly new, it may still be under the manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, many car dealers sell ‘certified vehicles’. Certified vehicles have been inspected, had any necessary repairs and maintenance performed and have been deemed to meet certain quality guidelines. 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 price tag to the condition. If you accept a car with some problems, you should get it for a lower price. Of course, there is a limit. If a car is on its last leg, it’s not worth money to anyone - except the junkyard.
New cars are costly - that’s the bad news. There’s a lot of good news too. First, engineering is improving, so a car built 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, you won’t be able to find a used one. Infiniti’s G37 Convertible is a good example. If you can find a used one, it’s probably at a premium price for a used car. You might be better off just to buy it new.
Ultimately, used or new is an individual choice. It will probably depend a lot on the type of car you’re looking for. Either way, do your research and consider both before making a decision.
Written by Hannah Valez Used Ford Dallas, Used Cars Duluth or Used Infiniti Dealer
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