When the time comes to buy a new vehicle, many things factor into the purchase. What you will be using the vehicle for, space, maintenance, etc. But, when you finally decide what type of vehicle you want, your next choice is, do I buy new or used?

We all love new vehicles. We are proud of having something new and shiny. We love showing them to our friends, telling them what a great deal we got. We love getting into them knowing that they will start each time, knowing you wont have any routine maintenance for a long time to come. But, mostly we love the new car smell. There are many benefits to buying a new vehicle. Firstly, you know that you are getting in a vehicle that will start and run great. You wont have to check the dipstick, tire pressure, nothing, for a while at least. Your air conditioning will work coldy, your power steering wont make that funky squealing noise every time you turn the wheel. You know its running at its best. These are all the reasons why we buy new cars. Reliability.

But, that does not mean that used cars can are unreliable. If you are going shopping for a new vehicle, and are trying to save a bit of money, it would be in your best interest to take a look at a used vehicle or to. You could save many thousands of dollars. Take for instances someone look at a new 07 American made sedan. They buy it, and drive it off the lot. I am surprised people do not feel it when the value of the car drops a few thousand when they pull out of the dealership. Now, consider that same model, just an 06, slightly more driven, someone has already lost their money on it. You can swoop right in and get the savings.

Most people when they think of buying a used car, they think of high mileage, horrible maintenance issues waiting to happen. This is just not the case. Sometimes, other people buy a new car, they just can not afford it. So they have to trade it in on a used car. That is where you come in a benefit. Comparing again an 06 to an 07, it will be thousands less, the fees will be less, your down payment will be less. And if you have shopped around and found the cleanest, lowest mileage car, you will still be getting a new car. Granted, minus the new car smell, but your pockets will still be heavier in the end.

Most 2-3 year old used vehicle will more than likely even still have a factory warranty. Which, there again, you do not have to pay for. Also, your insurance, even though you will still have to have full coverage, will be slightly cheaper than if you bought new.

While buying a new car is something everyone always dreams of, if you want to save a little money, while upgrading to a newer vehicle, buying a 1-3 year old car has many benefits and will still give you the miles of smiles a new car would, but, once again, minus that new car smell. Course, part of that new car smell is formaldehyde!

Learn more about this author, Ryan Jenkins.
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