Used Car Buyer's Guide

Are you in the market for a new ride? You might be asking, “Is it better to buy a new or used car?” There’s no right or wrong answer; it depends on your driving goals and budget. A lot of drivers prefer new cars, but others like the many benefits that buying a used car affords. How do new and used cars compare to one another? Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover has you covered with the following comparison. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of new and used cars, as well as what you should look for when buying a used car. 

What’s the Difference Between New & Used Cars? 

New Car Benefits

• Newest Technology: If you want a car with the latest technology, a new car might be your best bet. You can find a used car with a lot of exciting technology features, but it’ll likely be a newer model that’s more expensive than older used car options. 
• Greater Fuel-Efficiency: If you’re like many Birmingham drivers, you probably want a car that’s fuel-efficient. Generally, new cars are more efficient than older cars, but you can still find a used car with good gas mileage. 
• Full Warranty Coverage: New cars are protected under a manufacturer’s warranty. You can get a used car that’s protected under warranty as well, such as a certified pre-owned vehicle. Usually, CPO vehicles are more expensive than normal used cars. 

What to Consider About New Cars 

• More Expensive: New cars cost more than used and certified pre-owned vehicles. Plus, when the warranty coverage runs out, a lot of drivers find that their brand-new vehicles with the latest technologies are expensive to service. 

Used Car Benefits

• More Cost-Effective: Buying a pre-owned vehicle might be a great option for you if you’re looking to save money. Pre-owned cars are less expensive than brand-new vehicles. 
• Slower Depreciation: The moment a new car is driven off the dealership, it begins to depreciate in value. Used cars don’t depreciate as quickly, because they’ve already taken an initial depreciation hit. 
• Less Chance for Negative Equity: When you have “negative equity,” you owe more on your car than what it’s worth. If your car is ever totaled and isn’t driveable, you’ll still owe on a car that you can’t drive. 

What to Consider About Used Cars 

• Higher-Priced Financing: Used cars tend to come with higher interest rates, which can lead to higher monthly payments. On the other hand, making higher payments will shorten your loan term. 

What is Good Mileage for Used Cars?

When you think of “low-mileage used cars,” you probably think of a vehicle that’s newer and has 50,000 miles or less on its odometer. While that is generally a good representation of a low-mileage car, there are a lot of factors to consider when you’re shopping for a used car that’ll serve you well on Vestavia Hills roads: 

• Miles vs. Age: On average, drivers drive about 12,000 miles per year. If a car is one year old and has 40,000 miles on it, it has obviously been driven more frequently than a three-year-old car with 27,000 miles on it. 
• Year of Manufacture: Newer cars from the last ten years or so are generally more desirable than older vehicles. With proper maintenance, you might get over 200,000 miles out of a car. 
• Maintenance: Routine maintenance can be the difference between a worthwhile used car and a used car that you should avoid. Used cars that don’t have a documented service history are riskier buys than those with a service record. 

Other Tips and Tricks for Buying Used

• Model Generation: Every model has one or more generations. Check reputable sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.com to compare reviews and information. 
• Vehicle History Report: Always check the vehicle history report for a used model you’re considering. There, you can review any repair reports, collisions, police records, and DMV records.
• Location: Mechanically speaking, milder climates are easier on cars than warmer or colder climates. On the vehicle history report, you can learn more about where the car was previously driven. 
• Foreign Luxury Car Brands: While foreign luxury cars can be stylish and fun to drive, it can be difficult finding a service center that specializes in those brands. To make servicing simpler, you can always go for a certified pre-owned vehicle from a more mainstream brand that’s protected under warranty and is late-model. 

What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

One of the perks of used car buying is the variety of options. However, this can also be a source of stress for a lot of shoppers, because they just don’t know where to begin or what to look for. Fortunately, Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover is a reputable new and used car dealer in Hoover. We hand-pick our pre-owned cars for quality. In any case, you’ll want to take the following steps to avoid unnecessary headaches later: 

• Make a Budget: First, create a budget. If you have a car you’d like to trade in, you can use the value of the car to put down your new-to-you vehicle, plus whatever you have saved. Figure out how much you can afford to pay monthly. 
• Choose the Car for You: What kind of car do you need? And, what sort of features are you looking for? Make a list of your “must-haves” and use it to narrow down your options, based on your budget. 
• Test Drive & Inspect a Model: Finding the best possible used car for you can be a process. Test drive your desired car to see how it runs. If you can, take the car to a certified mechanic to see if it’s in good enough shape to purchase. 
• Finance Your Car: Once you have the green light, start the financing process. Sales tax and registration fees should be factored into your budget. Again, you can trade in your current car to reduce the cost of your down payment. 

What to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Asking questions is the best way to learn more about a used car, and to determine whether it’s a good fit for you. The following questions can help you gauge the reliability of the car: 

• Do the amenities and features work like they’re supposed to?
• What is the ownership history?
• What is the vehicle’s mileage?
• Are there any current recalls on the vehicle?
• How was the vehicle priced?
• Can I take the car to a mechanic for an inspection?
• Do you have the title in hand?
• Is the car as is, or is it under warranty?
• Does this vehicle affect your insurance premiums?
• Is there a history of maintenance?
• Is the vehicle history report available?

Steps After Buying a Used Car

After you buy a used car, there are additional steps you need to take to make sure all of your bases are covered, including: 

• Insure Your Car: You can’t drive off the lot without insurance. If you know which car you’re buying, you can call ahead to your insurance company to update your policy. Or, you can call while you’re at the dealership. 
• Transfer the Title & Register the Car: When you buy from a dealership like Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover, they’ll handle the title transfer and registration on your behalf. You can do everything right from the dealership. 
• Choose a Mechanic You Trust: It can be a challenge to find a mechanic who you can trust. Fortunately, Vestavia Hills-area drivers don’t need to venture far. The service center at Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover is state-of-the-art and equipped to service any make or model. 
• Schedule Service: Hopefully, the used car you’re buying has a well-documented service history, but it may need a few small repairs like an oil change. Schedule a service appointment at Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover to have your car serviced. 
• Review the Owner’s Manual: Review your owner’s manual to learn more about your new-to-you car’s features. 
• Check for Recalls: Keep an eye out for recall notifications on your car. If there’s an open recall on your vehicle, you can take it to a dealership that specializes in your car’s make and have the service completed at no extra cost. 
• Consider an Extended Warranty: If you’re planning to keep your car for several years, consider an extended warranty. This will help cover a wide variety of repairs that’ll keep your vehicle in good condition for longer. 

Test Drive a Used Car for Sale at Hendrick Chevrolet Hoover Today! 

Do you have your eye on a specific used model in our pre-owned inventory? Take it for a spin around Hoover today! Contact us online or call us at (205) 383-1619 to schedule a test drive with a used car near Vestavia Hills and Bessemer. To save even more on your used car, browse our pre-owned vehicle specials.