Certified Pre-Owned Car Dealer

A blue sign says 'Pre-Owned Vehicles,' is shown on the lot of a Certified Pre-Owned car dealer.

When you are looking to buy your next vehicle, few options offer a better value overall than going with a pre-owned or used model. With a used vehicle, you are able to skip out on a lot of the initial depreciation that cars experience, plus they have a lower price tag to start, which means you spend less and retain more of your investment in your car. You might be tempted to consider a Certified Pre-Owned car dealer, which can be an interesting choice, but as you are looking at what is available, it is important that you consider all of your options.

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) models have their benefits, but they are not without their drawbacks, and they are not the best option for every driver. While a CPO does offer some warranty coverage, it lacks as much duration as a new-vehicle warranty, making that a better choice for optimal peace of mind. The added price on a CPO model also means you lose out on one of the biggest benefits you enjoy with a used vehicle. Let us take a look at used and CPO vehicles and consider which option is best for you.

What Is a Used Vehicle?

Basically, any vehicle that has had a previous owner is a used model. This means that if you buy your neighbor’s old Dodge Charger, that is a used car. Similarly, if you go to a dealership to buy a Chrysler Pacifica that is not the current year’s model, chances are it is also a used vehicle. You can determine if a vehicle is used by checking the title of the specific model, which will show that it has had prior owners. This is different from a new car, which will have very little mileage and is being purchased from a manufacturer through an authorized dealer, like if you bought the latest Chrysler Pacifica from our dealership.

Not all sellers of used cars are the same. If you buy from a dealership, you are probably going to get more peace of mind about the quality of the used vehicle you are buying than if you buy it in a private sale. This is because a dealership is more concerned about its reputation than some person across town who you found on social media. In addition to this, dealerships have to follow state and federal laws and regulations on how we practice business in order to protect customers – private sellers have no such obligation to you. Similarly, not all used vehicles are the same, and one common option at some dealers is a CPO model.

A row or cars are shown parked at a Certified Pre-Owned car dealer.

What Is a CPO Vehicle?

When automakers first started promoting their CPO programs, many buyers initially thought this was all part of some marketing ploy. These skeptics thought that “Certified Pre-Owned” was just a fancy way of saying, “used car.” However, while CPO vehicles are used in the sense that they have had a prior owner, they are also part of a program sponsored by an automaker, like Chrysler.

In order to be considered for Chrysler’s CPO program, a vehicle must be of recent manufacture with a limited number of miles on the odometer. This is to make sure that they are in excellent condition. In addition, you can only buy a CPO vehicle from an authorized dealership, and it has to pass an extensive inspection before it can be offered as Certified Pre-Owned.

One of the biggest advantages of a CPO model is that it comes with the protection of an extended factory warranty. This warranty comes from the manufacturer and is designed to give you the peace of mind that you may not get when you buy some other used cars. Of course, this warranty coverage comes with a price, and this is part of the reason that CPO models cost more than other used vehicles. You could have two identical used models in the exact same condition, but if one has been certified and is sold as CPO, then it is going to be more expensive even though the other used option is just as good.

A salesperson is shaking hands with a customer.

Is a CPO Model the Right Choice for You?

There is no denying that CPO models from Chrysler and Jeep have a fair amount of value to them, but that does not mean they are absolutely the right choice for every driver. As we said before, one of the biggest drawbacks with choosing a CPO vehicle is that the price is going to be higher than a comparable model sold as used. In fact, some dealerships prefer to skip the certification process on models that could qualify for it due to their excellent condition in order to offer those vehicles at the best value for their customers.

In other words, you can choose a late-model used vehicle, one from the last couple of years, in excellent condition and not offered as CPO in order to save the most money. You are still getting a fantastic vehicle backed by a dealership that puts your needs first but at a price that is more in line with what you expect from a used vehicle. Depending on the age and condition of the vehicle, it could also still have original manufacturer warranty coverage that lasts for a certain period of time and mileage, even when sold as used.

Speaking of warranties, the warranty coverage on CPO models is one of the biggest reasons people choose these vehicles over other used options. These cars usually have two Chrysler warranties: a powertrain limited warranty and a maximum care warranty that covers most vehicle components. While the maximum care warranty from Chrysler and similar brands are excellent, the powertrain coverage can sound a bit better than it really is.

Looking at the powertrain warranty on a CPO Chrysler, for example, it says “7 years/100,000 miles” of coverage. The important thing to note, however, is that this starts when the vehicle was originally sold as new, not when it is sold as a CPO model. In other words, if you look at a CPO Chrysler from four years ago with 70,000 miles on it, then you really only get 3 years or 30,000 miles of warranty coverage on the powertrain. A brand-new Chrysler, by comparison, comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, both of which give you a lot more coverage than with a CPO vehicle.

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Get Your Next Vehicle at The Faricy Boys

The Faricy Boys is your best choice for your next new or used Chrysler or Jeep. We offer a vast inventory of exceptional vehicles for you to choose from, including numerous models in different trims and configurations. This is because we are one of the largest auto dealers in Colorado Springs, with over 75 years in the business.

We pride ourselves on having a staff that is friendly and knowledgeable, with salespeople who are dedicated to giving you the best experience you have ever had at an auto dealership. Our sales team will work with you to find a model that fits your needs, while our financing experts will help you find a lease or loan that fits your budget. Our guiding philosophy is to always put customer service first, ensuring that when you drive away from our dealership in your new or used vehicle, you are completely satisfied. The same approach goes for our service center; whether you need a routine oil change or a major repair, our team of trained technicians will give your vehicle the attention it needs to keep you on the road. Come visit us at The Faricy Boys today, and let us show you how easy it can be to shop for your next new or used vehicle.