WHY DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO BUY A USED CAR ?

When some people picture a used car, they think of a yellow clunker sitting in the corner of an auto lot with rusted rims, chipped paint, and a “for sale: $2,000” sign on the front windshield. They may imagine a caricature of a car salesman with a plaid suit, hat, and mustache standing in the car lot, attempting to sell naive customers crappy cars at high prices.

This image, however, is for the most part inaccurate. Sure, there are lemons out there, but many used car lots are filled with certified vehicles, and cars that look like new. If you go the used car route, as opposed to buying new, you can actually reap a variety of benefits. Check out our list of some of these used car pros.

Better Price

It’s nice to ride in a car that no one has ever owned before, with that new car smell and feel. But, that scent, brand new upholstery without a single flaw, and single digit mileage doesn’t come cheap. The price gap between new and used vehicles was around $20,000 as of earlier this year, according to Cars.com.

The interest rates on new cars do tend to be slightly lower than they are on used cars, however. Bankrate reports the average 48-month rates on new cars at 4%, while used car rates are slightly higher — at 4.99%. In spite of the higher rates, in most cases, you still end up with a much smaller total bill when you opt for a used vehicle.

Depreciation Benefits

Not only do new cars lose a large portion of their value immediately, they are also precious to new car owners who feel a gut punch when normal wear and tear inevitably happens. Some new cars lose as much as 40% of their value during the first year. “With a used car, there’s no depreciation hit the second you roll off the lot. There’s also less mental depreciation, no need to worry about the first parking-lot ding or rock chip in the paint because chances are the car’s previous owner or owners took care of those for you,” Car and Driver reports.

When a car depreciates so quickly, this also heightens the need for GAP coverage (optional insurance coverage to cover the difference between the amount of your loan and your car’s actual value), which is another added expense.

Potentially Avoiding New Car Fees

If you buy a car at the dealership — new or used — you’re probably going to have fees (like taxes and DMV fees) tacked on regardless to the condition of the vehicle. You may also see random other fees, like processing, preparation, and advertising fees, which can add up to a hundreds of dollars. If you buy a used car from a private party, however, you can avoid some of these random fees.

Variety (You can buy any make or model year)

Do you have your eye on a 2005 Jeep Wrangler? Maybe a 1979 Mustang Turbo is the car for you? If you’re looking for a specific, older model, odds are you’re not going to find it in new condition.

If you buy a used car, as opposed to a new car, you have a much wider selection of inventory to choose from and you’re not limited to models that were released over the past year or two as you would be when buying new. You have a virtually endless supply of inventory to choose from.