For as long as cars have been on the road, there’s been an ongoing debate about whether it’s better to buy a new car or buy a used car. Both sides of the argument had valid points, and people held steadfast to their beliefs. With the huge downturn in the US economy over the last few years, more and more people have come to realize that the used car people were right all along. It truly does make more sense to buy a used car. We’ve put together this list of 5 reasons that really swing the argument in favor of buying used:

1) Avoid depreciation - Everyone knows that a new car loses some of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot – but did you realize just how much it loses? Most new cars typically lose 20% of their value when you drive them off the lot, along with an additional 10% of value lost over the first year. Think about it – that’s a 30% loss over just the first year. Many buyers end up “under water” on their loans because they buy the car with a small down payment, and after depreciation is factored in, they actually owe more for the car than it’s actually worth. When you buy a used car, you’re skipping that 30% first-year depreciation – which means you’re getting more value for what you’re spending.

2) More bang for your buck - You’ll almost always be able to buy a better car with more options if you buy used. You’ve got a certain amount of money that you can spend on your car, so why settle for the base model of a medium range new car with no options? If you buy used, you’ll be able to afford a nicer model with more options, some of which could have cost you thousands of dollars more on a new car.

3) Quality is always better - In the past, cars were more disposable and didn’t last as long, so buying a used car wasn’t always a good choice. Today’s cars are built to last much longer, and with proper care, you could buy a 2 or 3 year old car and drive it for 8-10 years.

4) Reduce insurance cost - One of the most important factors in determining the cost of your car insurance is the value of your car. Since used cars are worth less than new cars, your insurance will almost always be cheaper. Many people drop elements of their insurance as a car ages, so you’ll be able to save even more money sooner than if you’d bought the same car new.

5) New car smell is temporary - Sure, we all like that “new car smell” – but is it really worth spending thousands of dollars more just for a smell? In 5 or 6 months, you probably won’t know the difference – the smell will be gone, your kids will have tracked mud into the back seat, you’ll have spilled your coffee on the floor… Sure, you’ll still be careful with a used car, but if it’s a few years old with a bit more character, you’ll be less likely to stress out over little things and you’ll get more enjoyment out of your car.

Don’t take our word for it though – do your own research. Remember to look at the total cost of ownership, not just your monthly payment. You’ve got to consider insurance, gas, and maintenance as part of your monthly car budget, and you have to look at your financing options so you know what you’re paying for the long haul. Once you really look at the numbers, you’ll see why so many Americans are swinging over to the side of the used car champions. If you’d like some help deciding what’s best for you, or if you’re ready to buy, please give us a call at 931-906-0002. We’ve got the best selection of used cars in Clarksville, and we work hard every day to provide the best car buying experience our customers will ever have.