It’s the age old question—should I buy a new car or a used car? On the surface it seems like an easy one, right? New is always better! Well, actually there are reasons why some may choose to go for a used car, and they’re not always just about money. For a lot of people, it’s a toss-up between value for money and reliability.
A good quality used car may end up giving you more bang for your buck. For example, a luxury car that is 10 years old may come with all the bells and whistles of its time, and due to depreciation may only cost about as much as a brand new hatchback. But there are obvious downsides when it comes to buying used cars, such as mechanical reliability, outdated technology and life-expectancy. This is why overall, we believe it’s better to buy a brand new car when possible. So, let’s take a deeper look at some of the benefits to buying brand new.
Reliability
The big one.
You’d be hard pressed to find somebody who hasn’t been stung by a dodgy used car. Even if you’re the most prudent buyer, and you always take with you your mate who knows everything about mechanics, it’s impossible to be 100% confident that there isn’t some underlying issue that has been well hidden.
Buying a brand new car completely negates this problem. Knowing that your car has come straight off the production line gives you a confidence that you won’t get if you buy a used car. No vehicle reaches the dealership lot without having passed stringent quality controls so there’s no chance of buying a lemon.
That’s a kind of peace of mind that money can’t buy.
Aftercare
Buying a brand new car gives you the opportunity to upgrade it as you see fit. It’s one thing to have brand spankin’ new wheels, it’s another thing to have them customised exactly to your liking.
New cars also come with warranties and some even come with roadside assistance, so in the unlikely event of a mechanical failure, you’re covered. This also covers you for recalls and other unforeseen expenses.
Safety Features
In the pursuit of making cars safer and safer, upgrades to safety features occur constantly. Every year there are upgrades to airbag and crumple zone technologies, as well as driver assistance features that help you avoid crashes in the first place.
Buying a used car will likely mean your car is not equipped with the level of safety that may one day save your life.
The most modern and up to date safety features are therefore worth every penny.
New Tech
Tech features are a real selling point for new cars. Each year, new features continue to enhance the driver experience. These kinds of features may include Android Auto and Apple Airplay, head up display, automatic tailgate, automatic parking and loads more. You don’t have to go back very far to a time when these features didn’t exist, so if you want a car that is loaded with all these fabulous toys and gadgets, you’re going to have to buy brand new.
If you visit your local Perth Mazda dealership and take a look at cars such as the Mazda 2, Mazda 3 or Mazda CX 5, you’ll see exactly what you’re missing out on if you opt for a used car.
Eco Friendliness
It has become a major factor in the way we determine what we buy, and few material purchases these days have as much of an emphasis on environmental conscientiousness as cars. The demand for low emissions and fuel efficient modes of transport has increased exponentially in the last decade, and as a result, manufacturers have been constantly improving engine technology to keep up.
Older cars had less emphasis on emissions reduction, and so your carbon footprint will inevitably be higher if you buy a used car. Add to that, higher ongoing fuel costs as older cars burn through more fuel than much more efficient new cars.
That New Car Feeling!
It may seem superficial but hey, there’s nothing wrong with simply enjoying your brand new car. The fact that nobody else has thrashed the engine, driven through scratchy bushes or picked their nose in your car counts for a lot. And of course there’s the smell. Who can resist that new car smell?
Understandably, a lot of the time it comes down to finances. Sometimes a brand new car is simply out of the question, and there’s not much anybody can do about that—although, dealerships offer pretty competitive financing rates these days so it’s always worth checking that out. But, for those who do have the option of buying brand new, we reckon that’s always the way to go.