subject: New Vs. Used - What's Better? [print this page] New Vs. Used - What's Better?New Vs. Used - What's Better?
Whenever you hear the words "used car" you probably think what I used to: a 15 year old car that's rusting out the bottom with a sales man in a plaid jacket and striped tie trying to sell it to you for a ridiculous amount. This image is often associated with used cars, and couldn't be farther from the truth. In most cases when you purchase a used car you'll end up getting more value for your buck thus making it not only a great new car for you and your family, but a steal too!
So when it comes down to it, is it better to buy a new car or a used car? The decision is sometimes hard, but like anything can be solved with a few simple questions and a pro/con list.
New Car
Pros
No kilometers on it brand spanking new!
You get to pick your features, colour, etc.
Cons
High price (big investment)
Often high interest rates if financed
Used Car
Pros
Lower price (buy a car one year old and you will save approximately 25%)
Features that you may not have thought to pay for will be included
You can purchase a warranty for much less than you would on a new car
CarProof reports (You know the car's history)
Shorter wait time (your car won't have to be shipped from China or Japan)
More options to fit your budget (as used cars are priced less, you have many more options to fit a lower budget)
Cons
Some usage (the car will have been used before and may not have been cared for in the same way you care for it)
You don't get to pick the colour (say you find a car you love that has all the features you want, but isn't the colour you wanted. Would you still buy the car? I know I would.)
When buying a car new or used there are a lot of factors to consider. Overall, the decision comes down to how you weigh the factors. When I look for a car I don't worry about having the newest or the most high tech features, I want the features I want and need at a price that will fit my budget. Whether that ends of being a new car or a used car, the decision is based entirely on me.
