In the matter of making a decision when purchasing a new vehicle, there are a number of choices to be made by the discriminating consumer. Should I by brand new, or used? Should I spring for extra accessories such as power windows and air conditioning, or bypass these conveniences to save a few dollars? Here is a brief guide to making such decisions.

It is common knowledge that a brand new car decreases in monetary value the second you drive it off the lot. The question you need to ask yourself is: are you buying the car for its monetary value, or are you making this investment to ensure that you have safe and reliable transportation in your travels? Whether you buy a vehicle new or used, it will inevitably decrease in value as time (and mileage) passes. Are you buying a vehicle with the intention of trading it in one day for another, or do you plan on driving it until the wheels fall off? If you do plan on trading in eventually, a new or slightly used car is the best choice.

Buying used vehicles can be risky business. Even with various resources available for finding out about a vehicle's history, there is always the possibility that repairs were made (either mechanical or cosmetic) which were paid for out of the previous owner's pocket, done in their back yard, etc. Services such as Carfax ARE useful tools when shopping for a used car, and should be used as such. But keep in mind that there is no true way of ever knowing every little detail of a car's life prior to it showing up on a used car lot. When shopping for used cars, I would highly recommend bringing along a mechanic, or even a friend with at least basic knowledge of auto care and maintenance. If this is not possible, don't be afraid to ask the dealer or owner if you can take the vehicle to your mechanic for a thorough evaluation before you make the purchase. If they have nothing to hide and are confident that the car they are selling is in good shape, this shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, all of this worry and hassle will be avoided if you purchase a brand new car. Whether you decide to buy new or used, there are many other important aspects to consider. What kind of warranty is offered? Many used car dealerships will only warranty a car long enough to meet state requirements. If the warranty is for six months and your engine seizes during the seventh month, you just might be completely out of luck and have to pay for the repair yourself or buy yet another car. Most new car dealerships

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