Should You Buy A New or Used Car? Answer the Questions Below
There are around two million vehicles sold per year nation-wide and you’ve decided that this year, you’re going to buy one of them. That’s the easiest decision to make because there are a lot of questions to ask when buying a car.
Besides choosing a brand from big winners like Ford, Toyota, or Honda, you’ve got to decide if you want a new or used car.
Both options have pros and cons. When pitting new car vs used car, ask yourself the following four questions.
1) What’s Your Budget?
How much money are you willing to spend on your new purchase? Both used and new cars have their own unique expenses.
New cars sometimes cost more to insure. Plus, they begin depreciating in value as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Buying used has its benefits. Used cars are cheaper up front but might cost more in repairs.
2) What Features Do You Want?
As you’re shopping around for a car, you probably have a list of features you’re looking for. These features might be safety related, like rearview cameras, or just something you want, like a great entertainment system.
No matter what you desire, there are some features you might only find on new cars. If your budget won’t allow a new purchase, see if you can find something comparable in an older model.
Don’t be stubborn. You might end up compromising on a finding a feature you want to get a better deal in the end.
3) Can You Manage Repairs?
Every car will have it’s typical repair needs. Tires blow out, oil needs to be changed, batteries die, etc.
Used cars could need more upkeep than a new car. You might find yourself in the repair shop more often than you’d like, especially on older models with a lot of wear and tear.
Newer models have their issues too. With brand new models, sometimes recalls are issued and you’ll have to go back to the dealer.
Used cars have the benefit of having this kink worked out. New cars might have warranties on their parts that save you money.
4) How Does it Make You Feel?
At the end of the day, you’re going to be the one paying for it and driving it. Consider your lifestyle and how the car makes you feel before you sign on the dotted line.
If you have a long commute, that fancy entertainment console feature makes it more bearable. You can save money by choosing a model without it, but it wouldn’t make you happy.
On the other hand, don’t purchase something out of your price range. Driving a flashy red sports car doesn’t diminish the feeling of being crushed by debts you can’t pay.
New or Used Car? You Decide!
You’ve got a lot to consider before purchasing a new or used car. We hope you found this information useful and will ask yourself these questions before you drive off the lot.
Do you have the perfect car in your sights but don’t know how you can get it? Give us a call today and we’ll help you put your dream in your driveway!