Depending upon your budget, finding the best dealership with which to do business can be a daunting task. Because of the current supply chain and inflation issue, shopping used cars vs new cars can be a bit of a confusing situation. Currently, used cars are not that much cheaper than comparable new cars.
The market is constantly changing and depending on its state, you may either benefit or suffer from the supply-and-demand nature of our economy. Often, the dealership will deem a car one of their “certified pre-owned vehicles,” and while that title might make you feel a bit more secure, make sure to read the fine print.
Your first tool to use with car negotiation tips is to understand the useful lifespan of a car.
Ultimately, when deciding between new vs used vehicles, you want to choose the best dealership with great customer service.
Tips for Shopping Used Cars Vs New Cars
This phase of the automobile purchasing process is all about trust and research. There are many different factors to dissect before making your final call. Let’s take a look!
Check Online Reviews
If you’re able to find a relatively new vehicle with low mileage, it is within your best interest to do a quick online review search. Really, you should probably do your due diligence anyhow.
Verify the Claims
Take the time to research the actual mileage of the vehicle. You should also spend a good deal of time soliciting and researching car history services to find out what kind of accident or mechanical repair history the vehicle has been through.
Used Car Salespeople Aren’t The Enemy
These hard-working folks aren’t trying to swindle you into buying a lemon, despite popular belief. They simply want to provide great customer service to put you in the vehicle that you”ve described to them that fits your needs and your price point. Also open to discussing the lifespan of a car and important auto maintenance tips, the team at Bruner sincerely wants to help you purchase the best vehicle for your situation.
Used Cars
Before we get into the m minute details, here are some basic topics to consider when it comes to buying a used or certified pre-owned car:
- Mileage
- Remaining Warranty Time/Mileage
- Commonly Known Issues
- Recalls
- Current Condition of Non-Warranty Items
- Gas Mileage
- Personal Necessity
Mileage
This is pretty self-explanatory. You know how far your commute to school or work might be, so the amount of mileage on the odometer is of primary concern when it comes to considering a vehicle purchase. Taking your daily usage needs into consideration is a big part of purchasing a new or used vehicle.
Remaining Warranty Time & Mileage
When you purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle from a dealership, you will often be asked about buying an extended warranty. While this may seem like a ploy, it is not altogether a terrible idea.
Warranties of this ilk are often reasonable and extend far past the traditional Powertrain warranty. They will significantly increase the cost of the vehicle on the front end, but you will thank yourself in about 50,000 miles when your alternator goes out in the West Texas heat.
Commonly Known Issues
It’s not all that tough to hop on the internet and figure out what your potential purchase has endured. There are pay sites and other clickbait areas that can give you a vague idea of any said vehicle’s history.
Current Condition of Non-Warranty Items
So the vehicle that you’re interested in has all of 15,000 miles on it, but all of the quarter panels are dented and someone t-boned the passenger side a month ago. The previous owner didn’t bother getting it fixed; rather, they opted to sell it as-is and collect the deductible.
Recalls
This is another easy-peasy one. Simply search for “recalls for <insert whatever vehicle you’re researching here>,” and you’ll find out what recalls are due. Most of the time they are minor, but sometimes they are absolute deal-breakers!
Gas Mileage
An uncommonly popular topic in the United States today, gas mileage is a big deal due to inflation and a number of other geopolitical issues. Before you go and buy that giant SUV powered by unleaded gasoline, you should take into consideration the cost of fuel and the pledge from much of the global community to ween themselves from fossil fuels within the next generation.
Whether you agree with it or not, it’s a sound investment!
Personal Necessity
In the end, the vehicle you purchase, whether it is new or used is completely dependent upon your personal necessities. If you don’t need a $50,000 brand-spanking-new pickup truck, don’t buy it! Instead, come see us, and match up your needs with your wants.
There’s a good chance that you could decide on a reasonable crossover or four-door sedan; again, it all depends on your family’s specific needs – to which we are happy to cater.
Focus On Quality and Your Specific Needs
When shopping for used cars vs new cars, the single most important thing is to not fall “in love” with one specific vehicle. Great customer service coupled with salespeople who will offer straightforward car buying tips is the key to walking (or driving) away with the vehicle that you need.
If you’re in the Brownwood, Texas or Early, Texas area and you’re shopping for new cars vs used cars, contact us. Even if you’re not interested in something that we have on the lot, we can point you in the right direction.
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