There are a lot of questions involved in the process of buying a car, but the first one is probably: Should you buy new or used auto? There are plenty of good vehicles out there either way. To help you choose, we’ve present you the list of reasons outlining the advantages of both variants.
The Case for Buying New
- For some people, buying a used car isn't an option: they want a brand-new shiny car. They dream of selecting the right color and the features in it. There's definitely a pride of ownership and peace of mind in being a vehicle's first owner. Other odds in their favor are:
- It’s Not Used - A new car comes with a clean history, for sure hasn’t been in any accidents, hasn’t been mistreated, doesn’t smell funny, has no wear or damage.
- Reduced maintenance expense & Warranty coverage: A new vehicle won't need maintenance for the first several thousand miles and then many manufacturers even cover the cost of those routine maintenance items for a certain amount of time or mileage.
- Lemon laws: If you encounter problems with your new car, you have legal recourse through state lemon laws: if you can prove that your new car is a lemon (a new car that is found to be defective only after it has been bought), you could receive a replacement vehicle or get your money back.
- Roadside assistance: Many dealers provide new cars with some level of free roadside assistance while the vehicle remains under warranty.
- Made to Order - You can find a new car just the way you want it, or at least leave the task of searching for one with the right combination of options, interior and exterior colors to the dealer.
- Latest Gizmos - The newer the car is, likely the more modern the geeky tech, gadgets, multimedia and navigation interfaces come with it.
- Higher Fuel Efficiency & Lower Emissions - cars are largely getting more fuel efficient, even while simultaneously getting more powerful.
- New Cars May Offer a Longer Relationship
Buying a new car may be your best decision if you plan to keep it at least from four to six years.
The Case for Buying Used
Buying a used car surely has its drawbacks, the biggest of which is:
- Buying Someone Else’s Problems
Buying used car potentially means buying someone else’s headaches. Whether it’s a squeaky noise under the dash, a tear on the driver’s seat, worn brakes, a dying alternator, or something more serious - buying a used auto can lead to added expenses or nagging nuisances.
But if you're not set firmly on idea of buying a new car, used vehicles have their own appeal, too:
- Price - If we compare a used and a new car of the same make and model - the used one is going to be considerably less expensive.
- Just like new: Another trend that makes buying used a better option is the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. The idea started with luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz and has become a popular alternative for car buyers.
- Depreciation - Cars lose value with each passing month and mile, but the steepest decline happens with new cars right away; some models can lose 40 percent or more of their value in the first year. With a used car, there’s no worries about that.
- Insurance Rates - insurance rates will be affected by the age of the car, causing the used vehicle to be less expensive.
- Choice - In case you want a model, option package, or even wheel design that’s no longer made - there's a good option for you to buy a used vehicle.
While there are equally good reasons to buy to used vehicles, for many the best option is buying new. Just listen to your hear while making a choice and, of course, weight down all the options and think about which matter to you the most – which are more important down the road – the looks, the price, the warranty, the fuel economy, the insurance, the gadgets or the feeling of owning a car that suits you. The choice is totally up to you!
