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Is It Better to Buy a New or Used Car?

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This is the age-old question that Des Moines drivers often ask. Even if you have previously bought a car, you might again find yourself asking “Is it better to buy a new or used car,” when it’s time for an upgrade. While no one type of vehicle is necessarily better than the other, one will probably fit into your lifestyle better. See what the differences really are in our new vs. used car guide below and then even consider new vs. used luxury cars as well as new vs. used Acura!

New vs. Used Cars: What are the Differences? 

Both types of cars have their own pros and cons, but depending on what your priorities are, you will lend towards new vs. used cars near Waterloo. Consider these pros and cons below:

New Car Advantages

  • Newest Technology: When you go for a brand new vehicle in the area, you are getting access to the latest and greatest technology. If you’re considering new vs. used Acura, you would realize that you can immediately enjoy updates after a major redesign in one of the new Acura models.
  • Better Fuel-Efficiency: Many automakers are constantly trying to improve fuel-efficiency ratings in their models. When you are browsing a new vehicle selection, you’ll see fewer models equipped with V6 and V8 engines while there are more with turbocharged motors for that boosted gas mileage. However, you might find a pre-owned electric vehicle to offer this same perk at a lower price tag.
  • Full Warranty Coverage: Most new vehicles come protected by bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties that cover most of the car’s components for a certain amount of years and miles. 

New Car Disadvantages

  • More Expensive: New cars cost more to purchase than used and certified pre-owned vehicles, and you can expect to be taxed on the price you pay. Once the vehicle’s warranty coverage expires, you’ll likely find that your car’s state-of-the-art technology is expensive to repair and maintain. 

Used Car Advantages

  • More Cost-Effective: Whether you’re on a budget or you’re trying to get a good deal near Cedar Rapids, a used car will save you money from the purchase to auto insurance and even taxes.
  • Slower Depreciation: The value of a new car starts to drop the moment you leave the dealership. In fact, a large portion of a car’s value is lost in the first few years of its lifespan. However, used cars have already taken this initial depreciation hit, so they continue to lose value but at a much slower rate.
  • Less Chance for Negative Equity: Negative equity is when you owe more on your car loan than what the car’s worth. If the car is lost or irreparably damaged, you may get stuck paying on the auto loan despite not being able to use it anymore. When you finance a used car, you’ll probably have a smaller car loan, so it’s less likely that you’ll end up “upside down” on the loan. 

Used Car Disadvantages

  • Higher-Priced Financing: Lenders tend to charge higher interest rates on used-car loans, which means you will have higher monthly payments. However, the price of the vehicle will be lower, so the loan term will also be shorter. At Acura of Johnston, our finance team will work with you to find the right plan for your budget!

New vs. Used Luxury Car 

What about if you’re looking at new vs. used luxury cars near Omaha, NE? Generally, the pros and cons that you’ve just seen are still true and you have a great selection especially if you go to Acura of Johnston. When you’re looking at new vs. used Acura vehicles for sale in Johnston, you will find that our dealership has new, certified pre-owned, and used Acura available. 

Perhaps, you want a serious upgrade, so you go for a brand new model. However, if you’re new to luxury vehicles and want to try one out, you will see that we have a huge used selection, including like-new certified pre-owned Acura vehicles and other pre-owned models from various brands like Acura, Lexus, Tesla, and more! No matter what your preferences are, you don’t want to miss out on our selection at Acura of Johnston.

Find Your Next Vehicle at Acura of Johnston Today! 

After learning more about new vs. used cars, it’s time to find your next vehicle in Johnston. Browse our inventory today and then learn why else you should buy from us in addition to our vast selection. Acura of Johnston will ship your car to you even if you live outside of Iowa!

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