If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, you’ve got a few options in front of you. You could head to your local dealership and look for something new and flashy, though it might end up costing a bit more than you had hoped. You could also see if anyone you know is looking to sell their car, or find another private seller, but then you may be subject to any number of hidden flaws or problems down the line. No matter which direction you turn there can be an intimidating amount of possible pitfalls to dissuade you from your choice, but there’s one option that can sidestep most of those pitfalls and deliver the benefits of both other aforementioned options: used car dealerships.
Affordability
You’ve heard the statistic before: the moment you drive a new car off the lot, it loses about 10% of its overall value. That might not sound like much, but with the price of most new models, 10% is still a fairly large amount of money to be essentially tossing out the window without a second thought. Depreciation rates are higher for cars than nearly anything else, so if you’re set on buying brand new, then you better be sure it’s worth the added cost. When you choose to buy used you’re letting the original owner take the brunt of that depreciation cost, and taking advantage of the car’s devaluation rather than falling victim to it. If price is a determining factor, there’s no doubt that buying a used vehicle is the way to go.
Variety
Used car dealerships will have a wider variety of options than franchised dealerships nine times out of ten, and unless a large number of people happen to be privately selling their cars near you at the same time then they’ll have more options than searching online will net you as well. Franchised dealers are of course limited by the brands that they offer, while a used car dealership can have any number of different vehicles. That’s not to say they’re guaranteed to have a copious catalogue of options or that you’re sure to find exactly what you need every time, but if you remember to check a few used car dealers the next time you’re hunting for a new vehicle then you’re sure to be met with a wealth of possible choices.
Warranties
Probably the biggest reason that people sometimes have reservations about buying used is a fear of buying a vehicle with an abundance of issues. When buying from a private seller this is definitely a valid concern, but the warranties offered by dealerships should be enough to assuage any worries you might have. Dealerships that sell used cars inspect and maintain their inventory before they sell it and, because they know people worry about added risk, their warranties are almost unanimously longer and less expensive. If you’re getting a good deal on a warranty, it stands to reason that the dealership offering it to you is relatively confident in their maintenance of the vehicle, and the cost of that warranty is representative of their stake in your vehicle’s performance. While many private sellers aim to get rid of their vehicles for as much cash as possible and by whatever means necessary, a used car dealership is invested in helping you find a vehicle that’s right for you, and also making sure that vehicle has been properly maintained— because as long as your warranty lasts, they’re still responsible.
Bargaining
Love it or hate it, bargaining is a part of the process of buying a car. Whether you’re buying new or used, from a dealership or private seller, negotiating a price is just the way it works. The main advantage that used car dealerships have in this category is flexibility. The prices of used cars are measurably more malleable than that of new ones, and so even if you prefer to skip the haggling, the potential discount you could earn through your persistence is much higher when shopping used. This might be easier or harder with a private seller, depending on who you’re dealing with. People are unique and unpredictable, so it’s difficult to make any blanket statements about private sellers as a whole without misrepresenting a substantial percentage of them, but at least it’s clear that used car dealers are the most stable option.
Paperwork
It’s safe to say most of us spend a generous part of our lives doing what we can to escape monotony. It may seem silly to say, but the value of having someone else deal with the tedious pile of paperwork that comes with buying and registering a vehicle should never be dismissed. Sure, any dealership you visit will provide these services, but that certainly isn’t the case when it comes to private sellers. If the benefits of a private deal outweigh the drawbacks then, by all means, the decision is yours, but if you’re thinking about taking a private seller up on their offer remember to keep in mind the extra work involved. In all fairness, there could be one or two mythical, bigfoot-esque people wandering rural America who habitually volunteer to help fill out paperwork whenever someone buys one of their cars, but we’re willing to bet most private sellers won’t go quite that far for their customer.
Used Car Dealership – For Your New (to You) Next Vehicle
There’s no question that the most affordable option when looking for cars is to shop used. At the same time, with the benefits from both the vehicle’s maintenance and a warranty, buying from a dealership is undoubtedly the safest route available. Used car dealerships offer all the benefits of buying used without the risks or potential pitfalls that come with private sellers. With affordability and purchase security in mind, it’s pretty obvious how advantageous they can be for the average consumer, and the plethora of other conveniences they supply only drive that point further home.The next time you’re in need of a new vehicle, try your luck with a couple used car dealerships; you won’t be disappointed.
