New Car Versus Used Car; Which One Should You Buy?

This is a question that I, as a car salesman, get daily. Everyone is sort of confused about which one to buy. The main thing customers are concerned about is getting a good deal.

Let me say this; Consider pricing between the new vehicle you want compared to used car pricing of the same model. I will use the GMC Envoy because this is one that I sell.

A new GMC Envoy with leather interior will cost about $34000 pretty well equipped. Now with rebates and discounts lets say you can buy one for $31000-this is just an example. Include your tax, tag, title fees and your payment will be approx. $550-$600, this is also an approx. figure. This payment will change according to your rate determined by your credit. Now lets say you plan on trading this vehicle in 2 years and you did 60 month financing. At the end of the 2nd year, you probably will still owe about $26000. I am guessing at these figures, but I have been selling for 10 years so probably real close to being accurate.

Now, take this same well equipped GMC Envoy in a used model. You can buy last years model with 18000 miles for approx. $22000 with a payment in the $400 to $450 range. You also plan on trading this one in 2 years. In 2 years you owe approx. $16000-$17000.

Now, when the used car manager appraises these 2 vehicles you will get a better idea of how things work. The used one will have a few more miles because of the miles on it when you purchased it. The extra miles may cost you $1000 dollars. The new one may appraise for $14000 leaving you a negative equity of $12000. The used one may appraise for $13000 leaving you a negative equity of $4000-$5000. Now you can see the value of buying a used car over new. I have had plenty of customers that purchased a new car that are having trouble trading because of the large negative equity whereas the one that purchased the used vehicle can trade because they are in a better position for the bank. Now, if you put money down when you purchased the used one, you are even in better condition.

I am not saying every new car purchase is bad, but you stand a better chance with a good used car. We also do not know exactly how much a car will depreciate in these 2 years, but this is my experience in past years. So, look at a good used car and compare pricing while you are at the lot.

Used Car Prices and how they are determined!