Posted Thursday, Nov 25, 2021
Without a doubt, the idea of purchasing a shiny new vehicle is a captivating prospect. However, many aspiring shoppers often overlook the cons of buying a new vehicle. There is one glaring factor that differentiates a used car dealership from a new one, that factor being a substantial increase in depreciation with a new vehicle. Depreciation of a vehicle is, simply put, when the value of the vehicle itself declines, which in some cases, can be rapid. A brand new car loses approximately 10% of its total value the moment it is driven off the dealership lot. That 10% of the value for a brand new vehicle is nothing to gawk at. Furthermore, a vehicle will lose roughly 60% of its original value, only after being owned for five years by a single owner. But you can skip the depreciation by buying a used car.
When looking for a used vehicle that is even half a decade old, you will still find a considerable amount of similarities, both in performance and general feature sets, all for a fraction of their original prices. There are no conceivable ways to avoid the depreciation of a new car, only merely preventing it through means of routine oil checks and limiting the amount of annual mileage. This ultimately means that used cars and their respective dealerships hold a prominent position in the modern-day automotive industry because the depreciation on the cars has already happened; the new buyer will not be subject to the money loss. With all of that said, we at All Star Motors want to teach you a little more about buying used, so let’s get into it.
Pre-Owned and Powerful
As mentioned, just because a vehicle is pre-owned does not always mean it is obsolete. In fact, a pre-owned vehicle can open opportunities for an even greater vehicle. For example, if you are looking to purchase a muscle car such as a Dodge Charger SXT, you can save an exuberant amount of money by turning your attention over to the used market. The 2020 Dodge Charger SXT comes standard with a 3.6L V6 engine, which has been a part of the lineup as far back as 2011. Meaning, you can purchase a used Charger SXT anywhere from 2011 to 2019 and get the same performance as a brand new model.
Ultimately, this is an extraordinary feat, considering you will be achieving the same performance on a wide range of choices while paying merely a fraction of the cost compared to a new 2020 Dodge Charger. Additionally, while shopping for a vehicle such as a Dodge Charger in the used market, you may find higher tier trims such as the GT, RT, and RT Scat Pack at lower prices than even the base model of the 2020 variant.
Finding a higher-tier trim than the base model, regardless of its used status, will net you a variety of new features and even immensely more powerful engine choices. One such engine is the 5.7L V8 that produces 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque and is also paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. This 5.7L V8 is a prominent upgrade for the Dodge Charger and can be found used for cheaper than new Chargers with standard power. Overall, buying used allows you to get better performance at a lower cost.
The hood of a white 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat from a used car dealership is shown from above.
Mutual Features
Performance is not the only thing that many used SUVs/Vans/Trucks have in common with their newer counterparts. In fact, the same goes for a host of modern-day entertainment features, many of which go as far back as five or more years ago. Looking at a used 2016 Hyundai Sonata for reference, we see a user-friendly infotainment center, much like the 2020 Sonata albeit with the exception of a 7-inch screen rather than an 8-inch one. For the price difference between a used 2016 Sonata and a new 2020 variant, the one-inch difference simply does not even matter.
A USB port is present on both the 2016 Sonata and 2020 variant, along with integrated Bluetooth connectivity. Thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth, you can wirelessly connect your smartphone to your Sonata and wirelessly stream audio or phone calls over your speakers. Functions for your smartphone are further enhanced by the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which comes standard on all trims for the 2016 Sonata, much like its newest counterpart. Both CarPlay and Auto have become highly sought after features in the past few years for aspiring shoppers hoping to get the latest and greatest features with their vehicle. These software suites grant you access to your phonebook, navigation, media playback, and a dedicated app store, all through your included infotainment center.
Additionally, both the 2016 and 2020 Sonata include a rear-view camera that assists you with additional visibility while backing out of a parking space or driveway. Although there have been some advancements regarding safety features in the last few years and newer vehicles are likely to contain them, there is still a generous amount of safety features for the 2016 Sonata.
The available safety features that were available for the 2016 Sonata included rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, the latter of which being extremely helpful during highway travel. Forward collision warning also being available and would assist you in applying the brakes to prevent any accidents. Rear cross-traffic alert was another option that provides you with visual and auditory alerts when backing out of a parking space if it detects any oncoming traffic. Lastly, owners of the 2016 Sonata could opt for adaptive cruise control, which dynamically adjusts the speed of your vehicle depending on the distance to the driver in front of you. Overall, like performance, you can get much more in terms of features when you buy used, and it comes at a lower price.
A blue 2016 Hyundai Sonata is driving on a highway under a modern bridge.
Finding Your Ideal Used Car Dealership
In general, purchasing a vehicle used is the best option. You will avoid depreciation, and get more for your money. It is a no brainer. However, there are a lot of potential stress factors that can come into play when doing your research for your next vehicle. Sometimes you may have questions that you can’t seem to find answers for and are not sure if you are getting the best deal. But at our used car dealership, we aim to remedy those problems. Whether you are looking for a sedan, truck, van, or an SUV, we have got you covered with an exceptional catalog of offerings.
With the help of our dedicated and knowledgeable sales staff, we can help you find your next vehicle in a hassle-free process where you will get the services you require. We also offer a list of CPO vehicles and have an on-site finance center where you can get approved to help pay for your next vehicle. Our on-site service center provides high-quality services ranging from brake repair to oil changes, and our professional mechanics will provide you with top-notch service.
We are All Star Motors in Victorville, CA, and we work hard to provide the greater area with reliable and competitively priced automobiles. So if you are ready to find a great deal on a great used car, or have any questions you need answered, give us a call or a visit. We look forward to meeting you!