When it comes to buying a car, there's no shortage of options. You have to look at model, make, color, interior, extra features and, perhaps most importantly, year. You might be surprised to learn, however, newer isn't always better. While you're shopping around, here's just a few reasons why you should buy a used car:
1. You have more options
Experts say there are about 350 new models of vehicles offered each year. Compound that by a few years and your choice of vehicle goes from a few hundred to tens of thousands. If you want a pickup truck but hate the new grills on the current model, you can go back a year. If you want a retro Volkswagen, you can find one. If you prefer old-school four-wheel drive to the new automatic systems, or if you like the feel of a manual more than an automatic, you can find it. While thousands of options might seem intimidating at first, it actually gives you much more freedom in terms of picking the perfect vehicle for you.
2. You can look up its history
One of the most attractive qualities of an older vehicle is that you can look up nearly everything about it. You can find safety ratings, what kind of recalls it went through, what other people thought about it and, in some cases, exactly what kind of history one particular car has. Services like CARFAX and AutoCheck will help you analyze the overall cost, worth and history of a vehicle you're looking to purchase. Knowledge is empowering, and can ultimately save you thousands, which brings us to our next point.
3. They're reliable
As your grandpa would probably say, “they just don't make them like they used to.” Now, that certainly doesn't mean every used car is better than the shiny, new one, but it does hold true for certain makes and models. Cars made in the past two decades were meant to drive 200,000 miles, compared to a previous 100,000. That means even with a used vehicle, you can expect to drive it for years to come.
4. They cost less overall
In the end, you're going to spend a lot less on a used vehicle than you would on a newer one. Brand new models are marked up, while older vehicles will depreciate less. You can buy a fancier, two-year-old car than the brand new one you've been eyeing. Your insurance and registration will be lower. As long as you're not driving a classic car, your repair and mechanic costs will also be cheaper.
5. You can upgrade used cars with smart tech
And finally, one of the best reasons why you should buy a used car: You can purchase your own smart car accessories to "upgrade" the car without having to spend tens of thousands on a new vehicle:
- A quality smart GPS car charger will allow you to plug in your electronics and find your car in a crowded place
- A smart vehicle health monitor will help you keep tabs on what's going on under the hood — which will also save you money in terms of repairs.
- If your used car doesn't come with a car backup camera, you can easily add one of your own to make backing out smoother and safer.
- No Bluetooth sound system? Make hands free calls and effortlessly stream music with a car audio adapter.
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