| Whether to buy a new car or buy a used car is often | | | | enough to repel many potential car buyers back to the |
| times the first decision that needs to be arrived at | | | | new car side of the dealership. |
| before you can actively begin perusing purchasing your | | | | As you know, if you are looking at buying a used car, |
| next vehicle. | | | | you are probably looking at a car that is outside the |
| Let's take a look at some tips, pros, and cons when it | | | | factory warranty or at least would have very little |
| comes to making this decision. | | | | remaining. With no warranty you'll be on the hook to |
| First of all, having been in the automotive business for | | | | pay for any needed repairs out of your own pocket. |
| many years, I almost always lean toward finding a | | | | However, the biggest expense for most all cars today |
| good used car that fits what I am looking for. For me, I | | | | are the things that aren't covered by any |
| believe that used cars offer the best value for your | | | | manufacturer's warranty anyway; items such as |
| dollar. In most cases, you'll find used car departments | | | | brakes, tires, alignment, batteries, etc. |
| are much more used to and willing to negotiate the | | | | Of course nobody can guarantee that you won't |
| price that they have posted on the car. From a | | | | encounter a lemon. No matter what the make and |
| negotiating standpoint, most used cars won't have all | | | | model, no manufacturer can produce a vehicle that |
| of those superfluous dealer 'add-ons' stuck on the | | | | can withstand years of neglect and/or abuse. Always, |
| window either that will just never do. | | | | always, always give the used car a thorough |
| In the automotive market, used cars will most certainly | | | | inspection both by yourself and a qualified mechanic; |
| come with a lower initial price tag than a comparably | | | | doing this will catch most problems that may be |
| equipped new car. And not only will the price be lower, | | | | looming on the horizon. |
| you may also find that so is your cost to insure the | | | | When it comes to financing the purchase of a used |
| used car as well as the tags, and taxes. Depreciation | | | | car, you find that the going interest rates will typically |
| being what it is; means that with a car a couple of | | | | be higher than new car rates. This is definitely a piece |
| years old, the biggest depreciation hit has already | | | | of the puzzle you'll want to check out. There is no rule |
| occurred. And from a tangible perspective, you may | | | | of thumb as to what the difference in the interest rate |
| have a better chance of getting those upgrades you'd | | | | will be between the two because there are just too |
| like to have on the used car that you couldn't | | | | many determining variables involved such as; the |
| otherwise afford going with the new. | | | | economy, rebates and incentives involved on the new |
| Yet, with all of this, buying a used car isn't for | | | | car side, your credit, length of financing, and even the |
| everyone. Finding a used vehicle that fits one's entire | | | | type of used car you're looking at. Be sure to crunch |
| car buying criteria can be a tough exercise in balancing | | | | the numbers for both sides. |
| what you want with the value versus risk inherent | | | | With used cars, insurance can save you some money |
| when it comes to used cars. | | | | as well because you'll typically pay less for your |
| Not so many years ago, reliability was a major | | | | insurance on a like model from a few years past. The |
| concern when purchasing a used car... and rightfully so. | | | | reason is simple; less cost of replacement for the |
| Today however, reliability problems are a fraction of | | | | insurance company and used cars are generally not |
| what they used to be. Today's vehicles, when properly | | | | high on the stolen lists. |
| maintained will easily go for 100,000 miles and it's not | | | | And finally, (the latest) safety features could be a |
| uncommon for vehicles to be motoring along as they | | | | concern if you're looking at used car (particularly if |
| approach 200,000 miles or more. And with all of the | | | | you're going back a few model years). |
| information now available online, the risk factor is again | | | | All in all, if the touch, feel, and smell of a new car, isn't a |
| reduced even a bit more. | | | | top priority for you, I think you'll find that a well thought |
| Even though more reliable today, buying a used car for | | | | out used car purchase you can get more car and |
| people means buying a car that is probably out of its | | | | features and still be within your budget. |
| original bumper to bumper warranty. This alone, is | | | | |