Whether you’re looking for a new or used car, the choices can be bewildering. Car ownership is most satisfying when you’ve defined your ideal car, and then you walk into the dealership and there it is. There are all kinds of arguments in favor of both new and used cars, and it’s a good idea to talk to a number of people as well as auto dealers to get an idea of the parameters of choice.
Used cars are a good bargain
When you buy a certified used car, you’re getting very good value. Certified means that the car has undergone stringent tests and checks by the manufacturer, who guarantees its performance.
Another advantage of buying a used car is that prices are declining, going from an average of $16,025 in 2014 to less than $15,000 in 2016, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. Seasoned car buyers feel that buying a used car that is a few years old means that any bugs or problems in that model have been identified and fixed.
New technology enhances safety on the road
At the other end of the spectrum are new cars with all kinds of safety-enhancing technology like night vision and blind spot detection. In fact, Gen Y car buyers, who made up 27.7% of the total number in 2015, were willing to spend as much as $3,703 extra on technology for their new vehicles.
With the new technology, car ownership and driving are much safer and easier. Whether you’re buying a used certified car or a new model with all the latest technology, it’s important to remember that car ownership is both a privilege and a responsibility.
Making a choice
What’s the best way to buy a car? With dealer inventories available online, it’s become easier than ever to find the exact make, model and color you want. It’s always a good idea to test drive a few of your top choices before making up your mind. As many as 84% of car buyer prefer to buy a car in person.
Talking to friends and colleagues, getting advice from dealers and if you’re lucky enough to have a good one, your auto mechanic, is useful. Many people consider the dealership a place to learn about the new features and technology that are making driving safer.
We’re all still heavily reliant on our cars and according to Autodata, new auto sales reached 16.5 million in 2014. The leading luxury auto brands Cadillac, sold 263,697 vehicles globally in 2014. Car ownership around the world continued to increase as General Motors sold nearly ten million vehicles around the world in 2014.
