What could be better than. It’s picture perfect inside and out – no dings, no places where the paint was patched up, it even smells new. Is a pre-owned car a better deal, or should you treat yourself and buy a car brand new at your local car dealer? Each option has pros and cons.

Used cars carry much easier to afford price tags. In fact, the minute you drive a new car off the lot, it loses much of its value. On the second day you own a new car, it’s still new. It still has a lot of miles left, no scratches and it still smells new. But it’s no longer a brand new car to the next guy, and that alone is worth money. It would be reasonable to imagine that the value of a car would decline slowly over its useful life, but that isn’t so. It loses proportionately more value during its first few months and years. Finally, the price levels off and its value depends entirely on its condition – but it still has some value.

The potential unknown factors are the largest down side of buying a pre-owned car. Why did its previous owner sell it? Is it a lemon? How well was it cared for? Was the recommended maintenance done in a timely manner? Has it been in an accident, or has it experienced water damage? Luckily it’s much easier to determine the answer to these questions that it ever has been. Many used car dealers offer up a Carfax report, which tells you the car’s history. Has it been involved in any accidents? How many owners has it had? Cars can be traced by their vehicle id numbers and now that computer records have evolved, it’s much easier to compile this information.

A shorter useful life is another disadvantage to getting a used car. It will need repair and maintenance sooner. The age of a used car plays a big role in this factor. Some previously owned cars are still new enough to be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, many car dealerships sell ‘certified used cars’. This means that they have inspected the car, done any necessary maintenance and repairs, and determined that it meets certain quality guidelines. Certified vehicles usually come with a warranty, so you won’t have to worry about major repairs for a while. If a used car does not come with a warranty, the key is to have your mechanic look it over before you buy it. Compare the price tag to the condition. A lower price is the reward for accepting a car with some problems. There’s a limit, of course. A car that’s about to expire isn’t worth any money at all – except to the junkyard.

New cars are costly – that’s the bad news. There are some benefits too. First, engineering is improving, so a car built today will last longer than a car built even a few years ago. And you may not be able to find a used car in the model you like if it has just come out. Infiniti’s G37 Convertible is a good example. If you can find a used one, it’s probably at a premium price for a used car. You might be better off just to buy it new.

Ultimately, choosing a new or a used car is an individual choice. The type of car you’re looking for and your purpose in buying it will probably determine which way you go. Whichever route you choose, do your homework and consider both options before you make your choice.

Written by Hannah Valez Used Trucks in Orange County, Used Cars Las Vegas or Used Infiniti Dealer

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