Are you looking for a new car, but aren’t
sure where to start? You’ve gone through your finances and set a budget
for what you can afford. You’ve spent a lot of time asking yourself what
kind of car is right for you, and what features you’re looking for. You
may have even browsed through our extensive new car
inventory here at Hodge Toyota.
But if all you’ve paid attention to so far are
new vehicles, then you’ve been missing out on a huge section of the
market: used vehicles and certified pre-owned cars. Why should you
consider buying a used or certified pre-owned vehicle (CPO)? As it turns
out, there are many reasons to buy used or CPO. Most people know they can buy a used
vehicle for less than a new one costs, but that’s only scratching the surface.
A wider selection of cars with more options decreased environmental impact, and long-term savings are just a few reasons to
buy used. In this article, we’ll cover some of the lesser-known benefits
of buying a used or CPO car, while highlighting the differences between them.
Keep reading to find out more.
Benefits of Buying a Used Car
Is buying used as good as buying new?
Depending on your priorities, it might be better. Here are some reasons
why buying a used Toyota might be best for you.
Choose From a Wider Selection with More
Options
For most people, a car is a deeply personal
possession. The vehicle you drive says a lot about your personality, whether
you have a big Hummer or a Toyota Camry. Because of this, choosing a new car to
define yourself by is a big decision. But if you confine your choices to
current-year models, your selection will be severely limited. Car manufacturers
can only make so many new vehicles every year. Not only is there a limited
number of vehicle models to choose from, but there are also limited features
available among current-year cars.
On the other hand, looking at used vehicles
will dramatically increase your options. Instead of settling for
whatever’s available this year, you get to choose from all
the best cars of the last few years. Even better, when you’re
open to considering used models, you’re much more likely to find a car with the
features that matter to you. Whether you want a certain kind of sound
system or folding rear-view mirrors, you can find it with a wide enough
selection.
Enjoy Lower Costs, Up-Front and Long-Term
As we mentioned at the beginning of this
article, most people know that up-front purchase prices are
lower for used vehicles. But did you know that it’s also cheaper to
insure a used car than it is to get insurance on a new one?
And that’s not all. When you finance a used
vehicle, you can also pay it off much sooner than you’d be able to
pay off a new one. If you’re the kind of person who’s watchful of their finances and
avoids debt, that could be significant for you. Perhaps the most exciting
part about buying a used vehicle instead of a new one is that you can
often afford a better car if you’re willing to get one that’s a couple of
years old.
Brand-new cars are famous for losing value
quickly, so in a few years, a car that was very expensive when new might be
just within your price range. This can make it easier to afford higher-end
features that matter to you, like upgraded seats or video players.
Help the Environment
Besides being incredibly cool, cars are one of
the greatest conveniences of our modern world. But even though we all benefit
from cars every day, the auto industry isn’t exactly eco-friendly. The
manufacturing process for new vehicles is especially problematic, as it
contributes greatly to the world’s waste.
Because of this, buying a used car is
basically a form of recycling. Instead of getting a brand-new vehicle from
this year’s production line, you’ll be reusing a car that someone else had.
This allows you to share that car’s environmental impact with its previous
owner, and it also keeps it from being sent to a landfill.
Of course, none of this is to say you should
feel guilty for investing in a new car. The auto industry is continually making
improvements to be more environmentally responsible, and new models
are still going to be made,
anyway. But if you love helping the environment, buying a used car is just one
more way that you can help make the world a better place.
Benefits of Buying a Certified
Pre-Owned Car
We’ve just outlined some of the reasons that
buying a used car is such a great idea. But when you choose a certified
pre-owned car, you can get all the advantages of buying used with added benefits.
We’ll discuss what those added benefits are next.
Extended Warranties
Did you know that many used cars are still
covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty? It’s true—if you buy a
car that’s just a year or two old or doesn’t have many miles on it, it could
still be under warranty. However, with certified pre-owned vehicles,
dealers typically take this a step farther by adding an extended warranty.
Depending on the CPO program, the car may come with a comprehensive
one-year or 12,000-mile warranty.
These extended warranties will typically
cover everything except normal wear and tear items, such as tires and
windshield wipers. This can add a layer of security to a transaction if
the buyer feels apprehensive about buying a used car. While we’re on this
point, it’s worth noting that this is one of the reasons it’s
safer to get a used car from a dealer than from an individual. A dealer
like Hodge Toyota will stand behind the cars they well, whereas an individual
may not. And when you buy a certified pre-owned vehicle, you get to enjoy
even more protection.
Rigorous Inspections
In addition to a great warranty, CPO vehicles
come with yet another advantage: they undergo thorough inspections before being
sold. Besides making it less likely that you’ll ever need the extended warranty
in the first place, these inspections help ensure that you drive off the lot in
a car that’s safe and reliable.
Certified pre-owned cars usually undergo 100
points of inspection or more, conducted by expert auto technicians. Of course,
the number of inspection points is less important than the actual thoroughness
of the inspection. Fortunately, technicians who work for CPO programs are
typically trained in inspecting the vehicles of specific automakers. This makes
them extremely specialized for recognizing problems that may be specific to
certain manufacturers.
A CPO inspection involves examining the car’s
suspension, transmission, and engine performance. Technicians will also check
the car’s tire tread and brake pad wear. The most comprehensive CPO
programs may even include roadside assistance, trip interruption protection,
and even loaner vehicle coverage. Naturally, features like these vary
from one vehicle and CPO program to another.
Enjoy Better Peace of Mind
When you weigh your options between choosing a used car and
a certified pre-owned vehicle, ask yourself this question: Can you put a price
on peace of mind? The reality is, it’s not hard to find a used car that’s
reliable and safe. Most vehicles are designed to last a long time, and if a
used car ends up on a respected dealer’s lot, it will probably serve you well.
But when you get a certified
pre-owned Toyota, you get the additional reassurance that a group of
highly qualified technicians examined your car. Not only that, but
with many CPO programs, you’ll even get an extended warranty, sometimes
with roadside assistance.
It’s a peace of mind that money can’t buy.
Buying a certified pre-owned car lets you save
money, help the environment, and get more options to choose from. It also
relieves any anxiety you might have about buying a used car with an unknown
history. No matter what kind of vehicle you’re looking for, many people will
agree that certified pre-owned is the way to go.
Buying CPO and Used Vehicles at Hodge Toyota
Buying a brand-new car is exciting, but it
isn’t your only option. Considering certified pre-owned and used vehicles
will dramatically expand your buying options. And as you’ve seen,
getting a used car has many advantages of its own. When buying a car
at Hodge Toyota, you’re getting more than just a car. You’re also getting the
security and peace of mind from working with a trustworthy dealer with a
strong reputation. Whether you have questions about used and CPO vehicles
or you’re ready to take home a car today, visit Hodge Toyota to get started.