New vs. Used: The Car Buying Debate

You’re ready for some new wheels, but should you buy new or used? There are passionate arguments on both sides, so you have to take your needs, wants, and budget into account while making this important decision. Below are the pros of buying a new car and buying a used car. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which is the best choice for you.  Remember - all cars can come with “new car smell,” not just the new ones!

Brand New

You’ve been eyeing that brand new model that your favorite automaker has just released. Should you buy it? New cars offer the following advantages:

• You’re getting the latest and greatest technology and features that are on the market today.  Even though that technology is changing rapidly, you’ll at least be current for a bit.
   
• Reliability. That new car is going to purr like a kitten (or whirr along, if you are in search of a hybrid!), and you’re not going to have to worry about maintenance or repairs for a few years.  Those expenses may be worth the higher sticker cost.  A bonus is if the car dealer offers free maintenance for a few years!
   
• If you’re one of those people who keep their car until it dies, depreciation won’t be an issue.  You’ll get every last ounce of value out of that vehicle that you possibly can.
   
• New cars often come with more financing options and better interest rates. If you have good credit and you can get good financing, you’ll pay less over the life of the car.  Having good credit may also mean a smaller down payment (or none at all)!
   
• You know the car’s history– it doesn’t have any!  You won’t have to worry about prior collisions, incidents, or accidents.

Gently Used

You’re ready to get your next vehicle, but you don’t need all of the bells and whistles of a brand new car.  Why a used car is for you:

• Depreciation won’t be a problem for you! New cars depreciate fast. A good part of the value (20 – 30%) of the car disappears the moment you drive off the lot. If you like to trade in your car for a newer model every few years, don’t buy new. You’ll throw a lot of money into lost value.
   
• Lower costs. You’ll pay lower car insurance rates, lower fees to register your car, and your car payments will likely be much lower than on a new vehicle!
   
• If you buy a car with low mileage, you’ll be able to defer repair and maintenance costs for nearly as long as a new car. You may also be able to inherit part of the free maintenance package that originally came with the car!

Ultimately, you need to know what you’re comfortable with.

Free Help From Auto Advisors

Once you find a car you like, text or call one of our Auto Advisors! They are here to help you (for FREE) and they can eliminate showroom and lot visits, high pressure sales tactics and an expensive trip to the dealership finance office.

Get Preapproved for your Auto Loan

It’s smart to know what price range fits best with your budget before you step on a car lot or talk to a salesperson.  Save time and know exactly where you stand by getting preapproved for your auto loan in advance! Merrimack Valley Credit Union and Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, are trusted lenders and can often compete with (or offer a better rate than) a dealership!

Category: Car Ownership