4 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy a Used Car

When you’ve finally decided to upgrade that old clunker in your driveway or just add another vehicle to your family’s fleet, the first decision you have to consider is if you want to shop new or used. There are advantages and disadvantages to either route, and the decision is completely up to you. To help make the decision easier, here are four reasons you shouldn’t consider shopping for used cars.

1. You Don’t Like To Save Money

While most people don’t like the idea of paying full price for something, you might be one who insists on tossing every penny at a purchase. It’s pretty obvious that brand new cars will have much higher price tags than used cars will have.

Used cars don’t just have lower sticker prices, but they’ll help you save on things like taxes, insurance, and more. Of course, if you have money to spend, opt for the full-price that comes with a new vehicle.

2. You Don’t Mind Depreciation

There’s an old rumor that suggests that a new car loses nearly 20-percent of its value the moment it’s driven off of the lot. The idea is that a new car will probably depreciate another 10-percent in the first year. That means a $25,000 car will lose close to $7,500 over the first twelve months you own it. While the specific depreciation depends on the make and model of your vehicle, the loss of value is a reality of owning a new car.

No worries, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind depreciation, this reality won’t bother you. Sure, a used car has already had its biggest depreciation happen and will retain its value longer, but it doesn’t have that new car smell you love so much.

3. You Don’t Need Comprehensive Data To Make a Decision

While brand new vehicles often have pre-written reviews and predictions, there’s not a great deal of information about them available. You can hope that the estimates and promises ring true, even though no one knows that kinds of actual problems will come up down the road.

There’s just too much data available on used cars to even deal with; who has the time to explore in-depth reviews, consumer reports, blogs, and videos detailing every make, model, and year available. The time you save researching your next car is better spent counting all of the money you spent on the new option.

4. You Don’t Care About Value

Some people worry way too much about stretching their dollars. Drivers who shop for used cars can often fit higher-level trims, numerous upgrades, and larger down payments into their budget. When you consider that manufacturers don’t make significant upgrades every year, a used car can increase how much you get for the money without losing any of the features you love.

When you’re already spending full price on a car, getting a great value just doesn’t seem as important. Sure, maybe you can’t get the luxury vehicle you’ve dreamed up, but you can proudly say that you’re the car’s first owner.