There is a lot to consider when buying a vehicle, and while your specific needs might make some of these decisions easy, the question of whether to buy new or used is always a little more complicated. Both offer advantages, and there is no one answer for everyone. That's why Schumacher Chevrolet of Little Falls has put together this guide to explain the major advantages of each, helping you to make your decision.
Advantages Of Buying A New Chevrolet
It's New
This one is admittedly pretty obvious, but it still needs to be said. With a new vehicle, you never have to worry about how it was treated by a previous owner, whether it was in an accident, or how much life is left in parts like brake pads and tires. The paint and interior upholstery are all in perfect condition, and the navigation system doesn't already have all of your least favorite restaurants saved.
Spec It Yourself
Depending on which model you're looking at, there can be quite a big difference between trim levels, option packages, and even available engines. Buying new means that you have the option to make all of these decisions yourself. If you're picky about optional equipment, color and wheel options, or want a high-performance variant of a given model, that's going to be easier with a new vehicle.
Warranty
While used car warranties exist, especially for certified pre-owned vehicles, the best and cheapest warranties always come with new vehicles. Chevrolet's 3-year / 36,000-miles warranty is bumper to bumper, including even the tires. For many buyers, the peace of mind that comes with a new vehicle warranty is the only reason they need to buy new.
Latest Technology
Technology moves fast, and sometimes even a vehicle that's only a few years old won't offer things like smartphone integration, LED exterior lighting, or adaptive cruise control. A new vehicle means new technology, and more features aimed at making your time behind the wheel more enjoyable. This is also true of safety technology, both in terms of technology that keeps you from being injured in a crash and of technology that keeps you from getting into a crash in the first place.
Benefits Of Buying A Used Vehicle
Price
This is the big advantage of used vehicles. Even if nothing about a given vehicle has changed, a used example of that model will always be significantly less expensive than a new one. For many people, this allows them to buy models or trims that would be beyond their price range when new. And with the peace of mind that comes with buying a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet, this becomes a very attractive option.
Depreciation
Every new car loses value over time, but this is especially true right when you first buy it. The biggest drop in value happens during the first year of ownership, but this only applies to new cars. This is a problem that affects luxury brands more than it does Chevrolet, but there is no escaping depreciation. Buying used means you let someone else take that hit, and if you decide to sell it after a year, the value won't have depreciated nearly as much.
Insurance
There are a lot of factors that go into insurance costs, and sometimes there are more significant factors than whether or not the vehicle was purchased new. But generally speaking, insurance rates for used vehicles will be lower than new examples of the same vehicles.
Vehicle Selection
While a new vehicle can be customized, this isn't always as big an advantage as it seems. Assuming the vehicle in question has been in production for a few years, the used market will have an extensive selection, and it might be easier than you think to grab exactly what you want and save some money in the process. Moreover, if a color or option you liked has been discontinued, a used vehicle may be the only way that you can still get it.