Buying New vs. Used: Which Is Better?

Lots of St. Louis drivers have found themselves debating about buying a new vs. used car. Are there advantages to buying used cars vs. new? Why buy a new car vs. a used car that’s significantly less expensive? To help you determine which is better for you, we’ve put together the buying new vs. used cars analysis below.

Buying a New vs. Used Car – Total Cost

Many St Louis car shoppers have sometimes found after running a buying a new vs. used car cost analysis, that buying used won’t save them the most money. Others have found definite economic advantages in buying used cars vs. new. There are several cost factors other than the sticker price. Here are a few of them:

• Upfront cost – Used cars usually have a lower purchase price than their new counterparts.
• Interest rates – Loans on used cars generally have higher interest rates than those on new cars. So, payments may not be that much lower than a new car.
• Gas mileage – Newer cars generally have better gas mileage as automakers seek to improve fuel efficiency, making them well-suited for the typical St Charles commute. A car’s performance will also decline over time, decreasing fuel efficiency in used vehicles.
• Repairs – Newer cars normally need fewer repairs than used cars and are covered under a warranty.

Buying New vs. Used Cars – Resale Value

Resale value and depreciation are other important factors for Jefferson County drrivers to weigh in a buying new vs. used car comparison. One of the advantages of buying used cars vs. new is that new cars lose their value much more quickly than used cars. You’re far less likely to find yourself owing more on the car than what it’s worth if you bought it used.

Why Buy a New Car vs. Used – Warranty Coverage

New cars are always covered by warranty, which is one of the advantages of buying new vs. used cars. However, used cars can also be covered under certain circumstances. Here are the differences:

• New cars – New cars always come with a warranty.
• Used cars – Usually only late models are still under warranty and may not have much time remaining on the warranty, depending on how old the car is.
• Certified pre-owned cars – Certified pre-owned cars are used, but they also come with an extended warranty that is tacked on after the original warranty expires.

Come See the New and Used Cars at Suntrup Nissan

We’ll connect you with just the right car for you. We stand behind every automobile on our lot, whether it’s new or used. Why not come down and take a test drive? If you’d like to learn more, check out some of our other buying tips, like what is good mileage for a used car and how car financing works. We’re just a short trip away from St Charles, so stop in or give us a call today!