Who Are Used Vehicles the Best Choice For?

Here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we have customers come to us all the time who are just starting their search for their next vehicle, and they feel overwhelmed by all of the options available to them. As you’re looking at everything out there, including new, used, and even Certified Pre-Owned models, you’re probably wondering which ones would best meet your needs. Before you ever look at some specific makes and models that could work well for you, it’s a good idea to figure out if a used model might be the right option for what you’re looking for. Let’s take a look at what each of these choices has to offer and see who would benefit most from choosing a used vehicle rather than one of the other options.

Brand-New Vehicles

A new model is exactly what it sounds like: fresh from the factory to the dealership and then on to you, the customer. When you choose a new vehicle, you get peace of mind from knowing that it’s never had a previous owner who might not have taken good care of it. Brand-new models also come with factory warranty protection from the original manufacturer and are generally in the best condition possible. These will also be the most expensive models as you’re looking at what’s available, which is the biggest drawback for many people, and they lose much of their value in the first few years.

Used Models

In contrast to a brand-new option, a used vehicle is one that’s had a previous owner, or that was driven on a lease for several years. Since there’s a previous owner involved, you can never be 100% certain of what someone else might’ve done to the vehicle. Choosing a reputable dealership can help with this, as you can be certain that the used car was thoroughly inspected to ensure it’s in the best condition possible. You have a ton of freedom when shopping for used models since you’ll find vehicles from a wide range of manufacturers and years, plus various features and options associated with the models.

Used vehicles are a great choice for many of our customers because they’re typically the most budget-friendly option when shopping for a vehicle. Since much of the depreciation on a car occurs within the first five years, a used model is also likely to retain more of its value as you own it. Depending on the age of the vehicle, it could even still have some of the original manufacturer’s warranties covering its engine or the full vehicle. This will depend on a wide range of factors, so take a good look at any specific model you like and what its original warranty coverage included.

Certified Pre-Owned

A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle is a middle ground between a brand-new model and a used option. CPO vehicles have to pass extensive inspection requirements and come with additional warranty coverage from the original manufacturer. This makes them more expensive than comparable used models, and the price can get pretty close to what you’ll pay for a new vehicle without quite as much peace of mind. If warranty protection is your top concern, then a new model is probably your best choice. For those more worried about a strict budget, a used vehicle is a better option. You can find a great late-model used car not offered as a CPO vehicle while still being in excellent condition and saving you money.

Who Should Choose a Used Vehicle?

First and foremost, a used vehicle is a great choice for anyone looking to save money while shopping for a car. There’s no denying that, in general, used models are the most budget-friendly option, and you can save a lot of money going with a great used car rather than a brand-new vehicle. It’s important that you shop with a dealership you can trust to get a used model that’s in great shape and has been inspected to ensure everything looks good.

We often recommend used models for anyone shopping for a first vehicle or when customers come to us looking for a car for a teen driver. Let’s be honest: new drivers tend to make mistakes in their first few years of driving, from bumping the curb with a tire to falling behind on getting oil changes, and it’s better to make those mistakes with something as inexpensive as possible. You still want to choose a great used model, since the last thing you want is for a teenager to be stranded by the side of the road, but saving money is always a good idea with a new driver who’s getting their first taste of car ownership.

Used models are also a great choice if you’re interested in learning more about automotive care and performing service yourself rather than always relying on a shop. Making your own repairs can potentially void a manufacturer warranty, but if you have a car that’s eight years old and no longer has warranty coverage, you’re free to learn and practice with your vehicle without too many consequences. In fact, we have customers who end up with a great used model that’s in the same great shape after a few years of at-home service as it was when they bought it from us!

We also suggest a used model for anyone interested in a CPO vehicle but concerned about the added expense of a “certified” vehicle. A used late-model option in great shape, especially one with a vehicle history report and from a good dealership, can provide you with just as much reliability as any CPO model while also costing you less. CPO models typically still lose value due to initial depreciation, while most used vehicles have already gone through that process. This makes a used vehicle a better investment overall since you’re more likely to retain more of the value of what you pay compared to other options.

What to Look For in a Used Model?

We’ve said it a few times already, but it is worth repeating: the most important thing to look for with a used vehicle is the quality of the seller. A dealership that you can trust is a better option than buying a car from a private seller across town. Private sellers aren’t held to legal standards or consequences for possible deception, while reputable dealerships not only have federal and state guidelines and regulations that we have to follow, but we also care about our reputation. A private seller doesn’t care if you’re happy or not with your vehicle; they just want to get rid of their old car. For us, seeing that you’re happy is important because we want to help our customers and see you come back for many years.

Beyond that, when looking at a used model, you should always check its quality and condition, including looking for a vehicle history report. This will give you a good idea of anything it might’ve been through with a previous owner, but don’t be shy about giving a used car a good inspection and checking it inside and out. Perhaps most importantly: go for a test drive, a real test drive that includes navigating parking lots, driving on city streets, and even getting on the freeway. You want to know how well it handles and feels in all of the conditions you’re going to use it in for the next few years (or longer), so don’t be shy about really taking it through the paces. It can feel strange to go for a 30-minute test drive, but that’s nothing compared to the hundreds (or thousands) of hours you’ll spend driving your vehicle.

Consider Used When Looking for a Car

While there are different types of vehicle purchases designed for various types of drivers and their budgets, buying used should certainly be considered while on your search for a car. Those who want both an affordable and reliable car without paying a new car price should look into a used car. We welcome you to visit us here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep, and let us show you how much value you can get from purchasing a used vehicle.