Why Buy Used Car? [10 Pros and 10 Cons]
I am someone that likes to buy new when purchasing higher-priced items, but at the same time if I can get a good deal for a lower price I am likely to seriously consider it. When it comes to cars, you may find a good new or used car, although each has its benefits and drawbacks.
Putting personal feelings aside, it is best to get a new car when you can pay a little more each month and really want many years of worry-free maintenance, and best to get a used car when you need a lower monthly bill and you can do research on the car and a thorough inspection yourself or by using a mechanic.
We’ll discuss are the benefits and drawbacks of a new and a used car. Both can work out well, but your circumstances are one of the biggest determining factors in which one you should choose. We’ll discuss which one might be best in different scenarios and how to come out on top.
Make a List
You want or need a car. Now it’s time to think about how much you can afford realistically each month and how much you want to spend on the total purchase price for your car.
One way to help you make your decision easier is to make a list of the things that are must-haves in your car and a list of wants. As you look at cars and check to see if the criteria on your list have been met or not. If you’ve been going without AC for years or you’re tired of your stick shift, make sure those are at the top of your list for your car.
Think about your driving experience. It’s a good idea to drive a couple of other cars if possible, to see what you liked and disliked, even before you go to a dealership. This will give you a stress-free environment to be aware of how different cars really feel as you drive them.
Make a list of what you want and what won’t work for you. Your comfort and safety should play an important part in your decision-making process since you’ll likely be using this car for years to come.
My Story-
I always wanted a Toyota Tundra and had been wanting to get one for years. I had a truck previously, but the Tundra had captured my heart. I drove it and loved it, but didn’t consider a couple of things.
After a few weeks, I noticed my back was feeling uncomfortable as I drove. I sat up tall and straight (probably for the first time in this truck) and realized my view was obstructed because I was too tall. I was hunching just a bit that whole time but didn’t realize it.
Your list should include what you need for comfort, body size, and safe control of the vehicle. Also consider reliability, if it is a convenient car for your needs, and if you plan on selling it in the future. I would make a little with needs and wants, as well as practical and monetary considerations.
Can I Afford it?
One of the first things to consider when looking at buying a car is what can you afford. I know that many people are practical when spending money on a new car and other are excited to get a car and overlook the true cost of ownership.
Dealerships and car salespersons are interested in making money and it’s your job to ignore their tactics and the limited-time sales and get the car you want for the price you can really feel afford.
A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 48 hours after going to a dealership to think about the purchase. If you’re letting emotions get in the way of your purchase, in a few days you could regret it. Waiting can pay off when you find a better deal just a week later, or you realize you really didn’t want that specific car.
Car Loan Calculator
When buying a car, you want your monthly payments to be about 10% of your gross income each month. So if you get a paycheck from work for $3000 dollars each month, you want to pay about $300 or less on your car loan each month.
Each person has different expenses so take into consideration all the other expenses and if you have extra cash at the end of the month.
After paying your car loan payment, think about what you’ll need for gas, insurance, and car maintenance.
Spending all your money each month will find you in debt quickly, so plan for the monthly payments and additional expenses that get you to save for unexpected expenses.
Regardless of how much you can afford, make sure to look up the average cost of ownership for your car per year. If you go to Kelly Blue Book you’ll find a 5-year cost of ownership for the type of car you want to buy.
For example, if you bought a 2019 Hyundai Sonata your 5-year cost of ownership would be about $40,000 even though the purchase might be about $25,000. While a BMW 2 series might cost about $28,000 and your 5-year cost of ownership would be about $52,000.
The BMW might be what you want but it may not be in your budget over time. Making a comparison of a few cars that will work for you and what their cost of ownership will be can give you a more accurate idea of what to expect you’ll need to put away for monthly expenses.
Save by Building Your Credit and Inspecting the Vehicle
One way to ensure you get a good deal is to build your credit history. Having good credit can make a difference in the overall monthly bill you pay and save you money over the course of your loan.
Don’t forget to have some money in savings if possible. A car is a necessity for many and some live paycheck to paycheck. They do the best they can.
That’s when it’s important to save in other ways to help you get by. Getting a low-interest rate because of your credit history can make all the difference for some.
If you do have bad credit and can build it up over several years, you can reapply for a loan and get a better rate.
Here’s some information from Experian about improving your credit score.
Another way to save is to do a thorough inspection of the car if it is used. Don’t skimp on this step and get a trusted mechanic to help because getting a bad car will cost much more.
This video can give you a view of what you need to look for when buying a car.
This was the first video. The following are videos 2-5 that and are will show you what to do next. The ChrisFix website also includes this handy checklist to help you during the inspection process. (Checklist)
Pros and Cons of Owning a Used and a New Car
After you’ve determined the amount of money you can spend each month on a car you can determine if it allows you to buy a new car or a used one. There are advantages to buying either type, but you’ll need to determine what your overall goals are and will your car help you achieve them.
To better determine your goals take a look at the pros and cons of buying new and used cars.
Used Car Pros
- Warranty (Sometimes)
- Vintage Style (Sometimes)
- Lower Monthly payments
- Can be very reliable and last a long time with regular maintenance
- Less depreciation generally speaking
- Better insurance rates
- Lower cost over time
- Reusing materials to help with the environment
- The repair cost may be less with older cars
New Car Pros
- Warranty
- New Technology
- Save on gas mileage (sometimes)
- Can get low-interest rates
- Discounts on last year’s model
- Customize it to your specifications
- Can buy it without needing to do much research
- Tend to have more safety features
- People might notice you more
- Spend less on maintenance
- More reliable
Used Car Cons
- Higher interest rate when financing
- More time & money on repairs are possible
- Spend more on gas (in general)
- Spend more time doing research and inspection or taking it to a mechanic before purchase
- May pollute more
New Car Cons
- Depreciates quickly
- Higher insurance rates
- Higher cost over time (This is generally true but the opposite can be true also, a used car can cost more over time)
- Cost more initially
- Uses more resources that may harm the environment
- More expensive to repair newer car
After you’ve determined the amount of money you can spend each month on a car, you can determine if it allows you to buy a new car or a used one. There are advantages to buying either type, but you’ll need to determine what your overall goals are and will your car help you achieve them.
If you’re not sure which type of vehicle to choose, a new or used one, then try watching this video to get a better idea of how the two types of vehicles generally compare with each other.
How Does it Feel
One way to determine if it meets your overall goals is to take it for a test drive. You’ll want to make sure you fit well inside the driver’s side and can clearly see out the windows and can use all the controls easily. Don’t be afraid to test drive different cars at several dealerships over the course of as long as you need to feel confident in your decision.
Make it clear what your objectives are to yourself and the dealership or used car owners. Don’t feel any pressure from the seller of the vehicle, but at the same time be friendly and considerate of their time. Your goal is not to buy a car at first, but to test and evaluate. After considering it for as long as you need, then you can make a decision.
If the car is sold, there are thousands of other great cars out there that can likely fulfill your goals and help you to feel good about your decision.
Think about how your used or new car will feel. Here are some ideas:
New Car –
You’re sitting in your new car and it feels so good to not worry about repairs, expensive maintenance, and higher gas use. You love that new car smell and how your car feels when you drive it. You’re motivated to keep it looking good ( at least for a while) and feel alive when driving. You’ve got a new car that has a high resell value, so you feel good about the future. .
Used Car –
You’re sitting in your used car and it feels so good to have a reliable and good-working car. You’ve gone out of your way to choose a car that you’ve always wanted and now can afford.
You love you can save money and have a little extra for the latter. You are motivated to keep up maintenance and feel lucky to have a stylish car. Your used car is practical and fun.
Being comfortable and being able to safely drive the car is an important factor that will stay with you as long as you own the car. Don’t overlook annoying or inconvenient aspects of the car and just try to live with it. Safety and comfort are important wherever you’re at, whether at work, at home, or in your car.
We may not like to admit it but when we invest a lot of time and money into something, we get attached. Sometimes we buy a car because it feels so good to drive, or we’ve always wanted this type of car, but the car also needs to help us achieve all of our other goals too.
Thinking about how your car feels as you test drive it and think about it may help you find exactly what you’re looking for, but be careful not to let your emotions get in the way of making a smart choice. You can have the best of both worlds.
If the car feels right, now decide if it meets all the other requirements on your list. If not, decide on the most important factors from a feeling and practical point of view and see if you can make a compromise. No car will be perfect, but you should not make too many compromises either.
Conclusion
Getting a car that is right for you will help you in the long run, whether it’s a new or used car. While getting a new car comes with lots of monetary responsibility, it is a safe bet when buying a car. Used cars can reduce your monthly payments and get a good car, but you may get some problems along with this choice.
