Four Tips on Car Buying In 2008: New Car versus Used Car

A car purchase is a heady investment and things are changing in 2008!New car prices are not as clear cut as they were in recent years.

Driving Excitement or Fuel Economy

In 2008, new car buyers may keep a closer eye on the vehicle’s stated fuel economy rather than the ads for its driving excitement. Anyone who has experienced the pain as the gas pump knows the wind whipping through your hair once or twice while driving with the top down is not worth the added fuel cost. In some cases the most fuel economic cars are also the most expensive and you may have to consider buying used rather than new.

Depreciation in the Fast Lane

If you drive a 2008 new car off the lot right now, your car will depreciate by the time you see the car dealership in the rearview mirror. However, there are some car models that appreciate less rapidly than others. There are copious online resources which educate car buyers about the amount of depreciation they may expect from different models and makes. But, a highly skilled car sales person should also have this information at her or his finger tips.

Bells & Whistles or Safety

Truth be told, there is nary a 2008 new car on the market that isn’t equipped with extensive safety gear unheard of 10 or 20 years ago. The fact safety expectations and regulations have also changed is the reason why some new cars receive low safety ratings. It is imperative you know the kind of safety rating your target vehicle has received. This directly influences its future resale value and it also may have a significant impact on your car insurance payment. Overall this determines whether or not you can afford a new car versus a used car.

Maintenance Package and Overall Maintenance Costs