Used Car, New Life: What to Expect When You Drive Pre-Owned

So you’re headed to a used car dealership in search of a new set of wheels. Well, technically, an “old” set of wheels, since you’re purchasing pre-owned. You might already be familiar with driving a new vehicle, but if owning a used car is a new experience, you may have some questions:

• What do you need to know about maintenance?
• What are the benefits of having a used car?
• How far will my money go?
• Is buying used the right decision? (Hint: if you purchase one of our thoroughly inspected models, it is!)

In this blog, we’ll cover some of the most important things to be aware of when shopping for a used car. We want you to drive off into your new car experience with confidence and knowledge to enjoy a safe, dependable ride.

The Information Is Out There

One of the best things about buying a used car (and there are several) is that you don’t have to be a guinea pig for a vehicle. When you buy a brand-new vehicle, you’re essentially a test subject. You and the handful of others who bought that vehicle are about to go learn its pros and cons, in real time — whether you like it or not.

Meanwhile, when you buy a used vehicle, you can find tons of information on the model from drivers who previously owned it. From articles to online forums to YouTube videos, you can get real-world accounts of how the vehicle performs.

Having access to this wealth of information about your vehicle means that you can get the best possible experience out of it. You can find tricks and hacks for making the most of comfort and convenience features. You can read reviews on how well select features work in real time.

You can also hear from drivers who use their vehicle in different ways, from those living in snowy climates to those who go off-roading. If you use your vehicle in a specific way, other than normal daily driving on pavement, it’s nice to hear testimonies from others who use their model the same way.

You can also find data on how often select maintenance needs to happen if you drive in winter conditions, sit in stop-and-go traffic, and other criteria. Owner’s manuals and manufacturer-recommended information are always great. But nothing beats hearing from real humans who spent years driving the very model you just bought. You simply can’t get that with a new car.

Maintenance Matters (A Little) More

We’ll preface this section by saying that maintenance always matters, whether your car is new or used. However, as a car advances in age, certain services need to take place more frequently.

Oil changes likely need to happen more frequently, as well as other fluid top-offs like coolant and brake fluid. You might need to have your tires rotated and inspected more often, and have your brakes inspected at set intervals.

One of our technicians can set you up on the ideal maintenance schedule for your exact make and model. Most of these services are low-cost, and staying on top of them can help you enjoy what feels like brand-new performance out of your used vehicle.

We also recommend that used car shoppers consider purchasing Certified Pre-Owned. This will give you the benefit of an extended warranty on the used vehicle you are purchasing, so if something goes wrong, you are covered.

Many used car buyers like extended warranties that come with this program because they relieve them of having to guess how much to set aside each month for repairs. These warranties sometimes come with other perks, like 24/7 roadside assistance, which ensures you can get a flat tire fixed, lockout assistance or a tow to the nearest mechanic when the unexpected happens.

Depreciation Is In the Rearview

The depreciation of your vehicle won’t happen on your watch (or your dime) when you buy used. Generally, new cars lose 10 percent of their value the moment someone drives them off the dealer lot. Depreciation continues at an average rate of 20 percent over the next two years. By year five, most cars have lost 50 percent of their value.

A well-maintained vehicle can last for 10 to 15 years. So if you buy a vehicle that’s three to five years old, you can still enjoy many high-performing years behind the wheel, without paying the premium of a new vehicle, only to see most of that premium go down the drain in depreciation.

If you plan on reselling your vehicle one day, you could find that you make a much greater profit than someone who sells a car they bought brand-new. It’s one reason so many people choose to lease rather than buy new — they can enjoy a new car, without committing to a long path-to-ownership loan.

You Can Get a Discount On Car Insurance

This might surprise you, but if you buy a used car, your car insurance company might inform you that your insurance premium has gone down. That almost never happens, right? Well, it can when you buy a pre-owned vehicle, because the cost to replace it in a total loss is much lower than the cost to replace a new vehicle. Insurance companies take that into consideration when calculating your premium.

The important thing is to make sure that you don’t buy a car so old that it lacks modern safety features. These can include backup cameras, anti-theft systems, automatic braking, and anti-lock brakes. Since these features reduce the chances of a collision, or can reduce the severity of damages following a collision, car insurance companies tend to give discounts to drivers who have them.

For reference, starting in 2018, every new vehicle sold in the U.S. had to have a standard rearview camera. Many manufacturers have committed to making automatic emergency brakes standard on all vehicles made starting in 2022.

Find Your Used Vehicle at DePaula

Visit us and score yourself a deal on an excellent pre-owned vehicle. We take pride in pairing drivers with used vehicles that deliver value and are in great condition.

You’ll love the option to find hundreds of online reviews about the used car that catches your eye, giving you insights into the model from people who’ve driven it themselves. Skipping the depreciation years is always a perk, too. Those car insurance discounts will also make getting your new-to-you vehicle worth it.

As for maintenance, we have dedicated service teams across our different locations who will ensure you get the tune-ups you need on time, to keep your model running smoothly. With our team, your used car will be ready to tackle all of your adventures with confidence.

We’re rolling in models from top names, every day, and in every body style. From SUVs and trucks to sedans and minivans, we have a range of models to suit drivers from every walk of life. Plus, we thoroughly inspect every vehicle and give you a transparent report on its history and condition.

We’re confident that the used model you’re after is at one of our friendly, well-stocked dealerships. So visit a DePaula Auto Group location today!