Buying a Used Car vs a New Car

Should you buy a used car or a new car? This is the decision facing you every time you go car shopping for the next vehicle you’ll drive.

There are specific reasons to choose either option, giving you plenty of great ways to enjoy the drive and know that you’ve got the vehicle you want to enjoy. Sometimes, your situation dictates whether or not you should buy a new or pre-owned vehicle, but if you have options, you’ll want to know the advantages of each one. Thankfully, that’s what we’re here to tell you right now.

Why Should You Buy a New Car?

What are some advantages of buying a new car instead of a used car when you want your next ride? Let’s take a look:

Order it Your Way

While your local car dealership isn’t Burger King, you can “have it your way” when you order a new car. Whether that means the dealer looks for a suitable model from another location or you get to collect it from the factory, you’ll have what you want in your car.

No One Else has Owned It

There is a special feeling in driving a car that no one else has owned. It’s like you get to unwrap a new toy and play with it first. You may want to experience this feeling in your next vehicle. Of course, along with this feeling, you won’t have to deal with accident reports or poor service records.

You’ll Have the Full Warranty

The best warranty for any vehicle is when you buy a new car and not a used car. This means you have a bumper-to-bumper warranty for a specified period. You can have a pre-owned vehicle with a contract, but it doesn’t compare to a new-car warranty’s complete protection.

New Cars have Modern Equipment

Car technology is moving fast that you need to buy new if you want the latest tech and equipment. The various infotainment systems, wireless charging tech, and navigation interfaces are modern and advanced in new vehicles but not in those from previous model years.

Advanced Safety Features You Desire

Like the technology used in the connectivity equipment of a new vehicle, you’ll also have the latest safety technology to keep you out of trouble on the road. Older cars might protect you in a crash, but new vehicles are equipped to help you avoid the collision altogether. These items include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. There was a time when a rearview camera was optional; now, it’s standard on new vehicles.

New Vehicles are Much More Efficient

All engines are cleaner and offer lower emissions in new cars. This progress is part of the most recent development of car technology and the desire to have cleaner-burning machines. The market is filled with more hybrid and EV models than ever before, making it easy to have the fuel-sipping, the clean-burning car you want to drive.

The Financing Rates are Much Better for New Cars

Compare the interest rate you’ll pay for new cars versus used cars, and you’ll find the latest models offer much lower rates. Dealers can often add rebates and discounts to the overall deal while also giving you a lower interest rate. You can also lease a new car, which is not offered for pre-owned models.

You Might Find Included Maintenance Programs

Many automakers and dealers want to help make you a loyal customer, and part of that is showing they are invested in your new car purchase. They do this with maintenance programs that allow you to visit the dealership for scheduled service during the initial driving time. This helps you get your car going the right way and with a good service record.

The Sales Team Does the Searching for You

If you know which brand you want to drive, you can request the sales team at your local dealership to perform the search for you and get the vehicle you want to their location. You won’t have this benefit with a used car where you’ve got to do all of the searchings that you can unload when you want to buy a new car.

Why Should You Buy a Used Car?

Sometimes, the right option for you is to drive a pre-owned vehicle. There are a few advantages to driving a used car over what you find for a new car. Some of those options are:

Used Cars are Typically More Affordable

Although we’ve been through a situation recently where used car prices skyrocketed, these cars are much more affordable most of the time. The lower cost allows many buyers to enjoy a higher trim level or higher-class car than they would otherwise choose when shopping new.

Depreciation is Already Experienced

Many cars at least three years old or older have lost at least 40 percent of their original value. This is one reason many people will shop for used cars when they want to have a vehicle that will hold its value during their time of ownership.

Used Cars are Cheaper to Insure

Although the financing rate is higher for a used car, insurance rates are often lower than new models. This means you can pay less each month to keep your vehicle protected. If you pay cash for your car, sometimes you can lower this amount even more because you don’t have to pay for comprehensive insurance unless you want to. When you finance a new car, you must pay for comprehensive insurance.

There are a Lot More Options for Used Cars

New car models are only for the current model year, with a few remaining from the previous model year. This isn’t the case when you shop for used cars. You’ll have every model year and every vehicle still on the road to choose from for your next ride. Cast a wide net and find the right used car to drive.

Now that you know some of the advantages of buying a used car or a new car, which direction will you go with your car shopping experience?