When you decide it’s time to shop for a car, there’s a good chance you aren’t talking about a brand spanking new car and this could be for numerous reasons. However, when buying a brand new car you need to consider the cost of this new car, the tax and registration costs and eventually, the depreciation over time. For these reasons, and many others, many people decide to opt for a used car as an alternative to obtain a reliable car without breaking the bank.
So why should you opt for a used car instead of a new one? The reasons are plenty but we’ll go over just a few of the advantages for buying used over new; all of which can save you time and frustration when shopping for a car.
Less Risk for Recalls
You’re likely aware of the recalls a new car is likely to go through within a certain amount of time after purchase. When buying a used car from a dealer, depending on the year, you will likely be clear of any more recalls and if not, the dealer can handle those before you purchase it. When choosing to buy from a private party you will have to check in to any recalls that might be current with the vehicle and schedule to have it taken care of. However, you can easily research this information prior to going to view a car just to save time and hassle. That is something you can’t do with a new car!
Depreciation Value
Depending on the type of car you’re considering, the depreciation value might just change your mind when considering a new car. Some cars will depreciate as much as 50% in just three years after your purchase. This is something that affects each car owner differently; some care and some do not. However, buying a used car you aren’t worrying about this as it’s likely already lost the largest portion of value. This means you won’t lose a ton of money should you choose to do a trade-in or privately sell it later on.
Individual/Private Seller
When buying a new car, your negotiating skills are likely to become non-essential. However, when buying from an individual seller it really does help to have some negotiating skills; even more so if you have hard cash to offer. Should you opt for a used car at a dealership, just do a little research ahead of time to examine the black book wholesale value. Then when you visit the dealership, you’ll know what to negotiate, should it come to that, because you’ll have an idea of what they paid for the vehicle.
Full Inspection Prior to Purchase
When you buy a used car there are many things to be on the lookout for; one of which is any damage or costly repairs needed. It’s a common practice today for buyers to request a full inspection from the seller so that they can determine if any repairs are needed and factor those costs into their offer for the vehicle. You don’t have to settle for just any car when you’re looking for a good, reliable used car. You might actually be surprised to learn just how many luxurious cars are sold by private sellers so you can have the fancy features of a luxury car without spending the new price.
But whatever type of car you want, make sure you get it completely inspected by someone you can trust. Like the experts at RC Auto Specialists. You want that car to be in good running order. Contact us today for all you car repair needs!