subject: New v used – the advantages are not always clear cut [print this page] New v used the advantages are not always clear cut
Deciding whether to buy a new or used car isn't today the clear-cut decision it might once have been. In many cases, choosing a well cared-for used car over a brand new one may well represent better value in the long term.
This is largely because manufacturing standards, while continually improving, sometimes reach a plateau from where they can be enhanced no further. So once a model has been proven, and on the market for a few years, there will be little to distinguish one year's model from another's in spite of the manufacturers' best efforts to persuade buyers otherwise.
The most important reason why a new car might not represent such good value as a one or two-year-old model is depreciation. As soon as any brand new car is driven off a dealer's forecourt, it will lose a good proportion of its value some surveys have estimated this depreciation can commonly be a quarter of its original price. And in extreme cases, the loss is even greater, with large, luxury saloons the worst affected.
Because the second-hand car market in recent years has become so crowded, it could in some circumstances pay an owner to hold on to an old car which is still running perfectly well, because the older it gets, the slower the depreciation. This is, of course, providing that the running costs do not start to rise as wear and tear begins to take its toll, meaning that the car needs to spend more time in a garage being repaired and maintained.
Anyone who likes to bargain hunt when shopping for cars will be able to exercise their skills when buying a car that is practically new or that looks brand new. Many people are often afraid to just jump into buying a used car because they think that something might be wrong with it or something is currently wrong with it that the seller won't mention because they just want to sell it.
Because of this, it is always wise to spend a little money up front to get the vehicle checked out for any hidden mechanical issues. This can have the benefit of verifying the past history of the car, so putting your mind to ease.
After a number of years, the rate of a vehicle's depreciation will slow down and stay about the same as long as the car is still in decent shape. Meanwhile, provided that car is maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations, it could still be good for several more years' rewarding use. However, this is a question which will only be answered over time.
A used Land Rover or used Range Rover will always represent good value, because they are built to last. See a great range of these used cars and vehicles at Land Rover and Range Rover dealerships.
