New Cars Vs. Used Cars

Q: I’m thinking it’s time for new wheels. Should I spring for a new vehicle or buy a pre-owned one? 

A: Choosing between new and pre-owned cars can be a complicated decision. To make your job a little easier, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of each purchase type below. 

Pros of new cars 

  • Status symbol. The allure of owning a new vehicle is obviously its attractiveness.

  • Fewer repairs. You can assume you won’t be dealing with major repairs or maintenance issues for a while.

  • Easier shopping. There’s no need to drag your prospective new car to the mechanic to check it out.

  • More financing options. You’ll be offered attractive incentives, like cash rebates from the carmaker and better interest rates from the lender.

  • Improved technology. Recent models have incredible technology, such as programmable settings, autonomous emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

  • Automaker’s guarantee. New cars come with warranty coverage, generally for their first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Cons of new cars

  • Price. Of course, a new car will cost more. But what makes it more painful is the fact that you can get a comparable vehicle for much less.

  • Depreciation. New cars go down in value as soon as they leave the lot, often by 20%. At the end of the first year of ownership, your new car can drop another 10%.

  • Higher premiums. Insurance companies charge more for newer vehicles.

Pros of used cars

  • Price tag. It’s not unusual to find a used car in decent condition with a price tag that’s 30% lower than a similar brand-new model.

  • Less depreciation. With the previous owner absorbing the initial depreciation on the car, your vehicle will only experience a minimal drop in price.

  • Lower insurance. With your car weighing in at a lower value, your monthly insurance premiums will be lower.

  • Lower interest. If you finance a used car, you’ll likely have a higher interest rate. However, since the loan amount is lower, you’ll save in total interest payments over the life of the loan.

  • Predictability. When buying a model that’s been around for a few years, you’ll have a wealth of research available on your car and can know what to expect.

Cons of used cars

  • Complicated purchase. With a used vehicle, you’ll want to get a vehicle history report and bring it to a mechanic for an inspection.

  • Fewer choices. When buying pre-owned, you don’t get to be picky about things like colors and features.

  • Risk. Even if you do your homework well, you run the risk of walking out with a lemon when you buy a pre-owned car.

Whether you choose to go new or previously owned, don’t forget to call, click, or stop by Cy-Fair FCU to learn more about our auto loans and discover some cost-saving tips from our Loan Representatives.

Cy-Fair FCU