ALT-1 Buying a new Car
Continually we hear others saying, "Don't buy a new car."
Yet each and every person would like at least one brand spanking new vehicles in their lifetime and there is no denying it. It is not merely a status symbol to desire a new car. There are many valid reasons for wanting to buy new and to be fair many times it is pure jealousy that prompts others to poohoo the whole idea.
It can be argued that the depreciation is rapid on a new car. That the minute it is driven out of the yard the worth falls by some five to ten thousand dollars. There is no denying that! It is all true but, and it is a big but, each one of those fast depreciating cars will come with a warranty period far better than the pre owned car. Many will come with five years manufacturing warranty plus roadside assistance that give the owner a full sense of security in the knowledge that even if something did go wrong with their lovely new car it is fully covered.
Over a five year period the greatest depreciation comes in that first twelve months then the value generally will hold for the next four years and sometimes more. Being as that cost though appearing large initially, if spread over the five years is usually less than the cost of maintaining an older car, this initial loss is not so bad.
Looking at the benefits of buying a new car we can add the latest safety features. Available now in any good new car are extra side curtain airbags that are proven to reduce the chances of brain injury in a side impact crash. Many of the road stability features will not be available in an older car. Every year safety features are improving and saving lives on the roads.
As people near retiring age it is a good move to get into a new vehicle just as you try to renew all household appliances before retiring renewing the car gives at least five years of trouble free motoring. The lemons are rare now days and if you do your homework before even stepping into a car-yard you will know what to avoid.
Research for buying cars is much the same as any other researching. Going through the newspaper for sale advertisements will indict which still young cars are being dumped fastest. Avoid these at all costs. The cars most loved will be scarce in the twelve month old age bracket. Likely even scarce in the two year old group.
What does stand out when combing the papers is which cars are sold of in abundance. Certain makes and or models dominate the ads and often with far more drop away from the new price than other makes. This indicates that the market isn't enjoying the vehicle at all and buying a new one would b a mistake.
In general a five year old car should still only be around ten thousand less than new price if it has been a good reliable vehicle. Cars that hold that value pattern are worthy of testing to buy new. Once armed with knowledge from your research then hit the yards and test drive. Under no circumstance buy a new car without driving the demo model. Sometimes you only have to sit in a car to realise little things like your peripheral vision is blocked by the side pillar or there is so little leg space that a long trip would be unbearable, but some things won't be noticed unless you actually drive.
In doing the research you will have armed yourself with a good knowledge of price and be in a great position to discuss price without being pushed around blindly by the seller. If you are paying cash you should be able to get an even better discount do just ask, expect it!
There are so many great things with a new car, from the reversing sensors to the esp to the seat-belt warning signals. But best of all its the shiny new paintwork and the smell only a new cars emits and the heads that turn when you drive passed!
Oh yes, its worth it at least once in lifetime!
