| Buying new vs. used car is a question all auto | | | | cars, they are typically much weaker than what |
| buyers should ask these days. Buying and | | | | you would get from a new car. A VSC (Vehicle |
| operating a car is a major expense in itself. It's | | | | Service Contract) from AMPLIFY can ease that |
| well worth your time to seriously balance all the | | | | worry, and is almost always a better value than |
| costs and benefits against each other. | | | | the limited or extended warranty offered by the |
| According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the | | | | dealer. |
| average U.S. household spent 18.1 percent of its | | | | Reliability: Many new car buyers tout not having to |
| income on vehicle costs, second only to housing. | | | | worry about a major breakdown as a reason for |
| Given that nearly one out of every five bucks | | | | going new, but the truth is that some used |
| that you earn will go into your car, you're right to | | | | models may actually be far more reliable than |
| think long and hard about buying a new vs. used | | | | some new models. One thing is for certain, |
| car. | | | | though, and that's that the new car buyer knows |
| There are a myriad of issues to consider about | | | | exactly how the car has been treated. Protect |
| your purchase. | | | | yourself before you buy a used vehicle by having |
| Here are but a few: | | | | it professionally inspected. Amplify has partnered |
| Depreciation: This is a big issue for many car | | | | with Auto PI, a local company that performs |
| buyers. It's simple: The moment you drive a new | | | | onsite inspections to alert you to current, past |
| car off the lot, it immediately loses a chunk of its | | | | and potential problems before you buy. |
| value because it is no longer ""new."" Cars | | | | History: There are devotees of Consumer |
| generally lose 25 percent or even more of their | | | | Reports out there who would never dream of |
| value each year (although some models hold their | | | | buying a car without knowing that model's track |
| value better than others). When you buy used, | | | | record for repairs and defects. When you buy a |
| you let someone else take that depreciation hit. | | | | new model, however, you can only hope that it |
| And if you use a service like Locate-To-Order, | | | | will prove to be reliable. |
| purchasing a pre-owned car with exactly the | | | | Condition: The ""shiny chrome"" factor is a big one |
| features you want is as simple as filling out a | | | | for many new car buyers--nothing else can quite |
| preferences form! | | | | replace the feeling of knowing you're the original |
| Costs: Obviously, when you buy new, you pay | | | | owner of a new car in mint condition. Used car |
| more, and not just for the initial purchase, but also | | | | buyers have to settle for freshly detailed. |
| in higher insurance premiums, registration and | | | | And the answer is : There are pros and cons to |
| licensing fees. On the other hand, used car | | | | both sides of the argument, and ultimately you |
| owners have to consider the higher costs of | | | | must choose what makes you happy. Financially, it |
| keeping an older car running (such as replacing the | | | | often makes more sense to purchase a |
| brakes, muffler and battery), as well as the | | | | late-model (1-4 year old) pre-owned car instead |
| possibility of having to undertake a major repair | | | | of a new model. But, there's nothing quite like that |
| (like replacing the transmission). | | | | ""new car smell"" to brighten your morning |
| Warranty: The advantage is clearly in the new car | | | | commute. Either way, never purchase outside |
| camp here. Basic warranties are standard with | | | | your budget and always allow for those |
| new cars these days, and you can buy extended | | | | unexpected expenses owning a car seems to |
| warranties for an additional cost. While some | | | | bring. |
| dealers may offer a limited warranty on used | | | | |