Used or Certified Pre-Owned: Which Is Best for You?

Shopping for your next vehicle can feel a bit overwhelming; you have so many different decisions to make, and it is a significant investment, so it’s easy to feel like there are too many things to juggle at once. We find the easiest way to approach it is by taking things one step at a time and making a few big decisions first, then focusing on the smaller things like features you need or certain models that catch your eye. As you’re looking at used cars for sale near Troy, one of the biggest decisions you should start with is whether you want a vehicle that is used or Certified Pre-Owned (CPO). There are certain things that these two types of rides have in common, but also some big differences between them, so considering all of your options ahead of time can make things a lot easier once you’re at a dealership and trying to choose between several models that could each work well for you. Let’s take a closer look at what these vehicles have to offer and figure out if a used or CPO model is the right choice.

Car Shopping Basics: New vs Used vs CPO

The first thing we should do is make sure we’re all on the same page for what these different terms mean when looking at vehicles, then we’ll get into more specifics on them. So, first of all, new vehicles refer to cars, trucks, and SUVs that have not been sold or driven on a lease before and instead are coming to you directly from a factory via the dealership you shop at. In contrast with this, used vehicles have been driven by a previous owner or someone enjoying the vehicle while leasing it. These cars can come from a wide range of different previous years though more recent model years tend to have less use on them and modern features.

You might see the term “pre-owned” instead of “used,” which is just a fancy way of saying the same thing, so both pre-owned and used vehicles are the same. Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, however, are not the same and there are certain criteria a vehicle must satisfy for it to be sold as a CPO model. This criteria is established by the manufacturer of that vehicle, so they won’t necessarily be the same between two different brands—like a CPO Ford vs a CPO Chevy—but you’ll find a lot of similarities between them. CPO vehicles have also had a previous owner or were driven on a lease, but they have to meet these requirements set by the manufacturer to be offered as CPO, whereas used models have no such criteria to meet.

Benefits and Drawbacks of a Used Vehicle

Now that we know what each of these terms means, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from used vehicles and CPO models. The biggest, undeniable benefit of a used vehicle is that it is offered at a lower price than a new car, truck, or SUV of equivalent quality. So if you like the looks and performance of a Ford F-150 but the sticker price on a new model is outside of your budget, then a pre-owned F-150 could provide you with the same impressive capability and great features at a price that works for you. The exact difference in price depends on a wide range of factors, but overall, you can expect to pay less for a used vehicle.

Similarly, choosing a used vehicle means you get to skip a lot of the initial depreciation on a car, truck, or SUV. All products lose some value as they’re used; for vehicles, a lot of this loss of value happens in the first year, with substantial depreciation for the next year or two after. Beyond that point, depreciation continues but at a much slower rate. This means that when you buy a vehicle that’s a few years old, the lower price you’re paying is typically closer to what its value will still be after you drive it for several years (assuming you take good care of it). So, a used car tends to retain more of its value compared to a new vehicle after a few years of driving around Troy.

The biggest drawback with a used vehicle is the uncertainty that comes with a car that has a previous owner or driver. Even if you have a vehicle history report and can see that the vehicle is in good shape, there’s still no way to know with 100% certainty everything that happened with a previous owner. Choosing a reputable car dealership with great vehicles in stock can help with this since you know the used models you’re looking at are in excellent shape. But there is always the uncertainty of not knowing; plus, once the new vehicle warranty ends on a used car, that’s typically the end of manufacturer coverage on it.

Benefits and Drawbacks of a CPO Model

CPO vehicles have some of the same benefits and drawbacks as other used models, but there are also some unique factors to consider. A CPO vehicle should generally cost less than a new model since it has also had a previous driver, but that price might be a bit higher than other used vehicles. Similarly, you still have the uncertainty of what a previous driver might have done with a vehicle when looking at CPO models. The major contrast to these things, however, is in the certification process for a CPO vehicle and the additional protection it comes with.

For a vehicle to be offered as a CPO model, it has to meet certain standards set by the company that first made it. A CPO Chevy, for example, has to be from within the last six model years, and it cannot have more than 75,000 miles on it. Anything older than that or driven more can’t be sold as a CPO Chevy. In addition to this, the vehicle has to pass an extensive 172-point vehicle inspection, including a reconditioning process and road test as needed to ensure it’s in the best shape possible. This means you have some peace of mind from knowing that a CPO Chevy is in good shape, even if you can’t know what a previous owner did every moment on the road.

The other major advantage of a CPO vehicle is that you get added protection and benefits after you buy one. For example, a CPO Chevy comes with a six-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty backed by Chevrolet. This gives you tremendous confidence in your ride and protection that you won’t find on standard used models that haven’t been certified by a Chevy dealership. Chevy CPO vehicles also come with two included maintenance visits within two years, 24/7 roadside assistance while you drive around Troy and beyond, a three-day/150-mile exchange policy, and more. You’ll find similar benefits with CPO models from other brands too, giving you an experience beyond what used vehicles offer and closer to what you get with a new car.

Are Used or CPO Vehicles Best for Troy Drivers?

Ultimately, this comes down to what your budget looks like and what you want in terms of benefits and coverage for your vehicle. If you’re on a very tight budget and need to make every dollar stretch as far as possible, then a conventional used vehicle could be the best choice to ensure you get everything you need. On the other hand, if your budget allows for it, then the benefits of a CPO model are hard to argue with, and it provides you with enhanced peace of mind and greater confidence while driving your vehicle. This is something only you can decide on, but our amazing teams of helpful people at our DePaula dealerships are ready to answer any questions you still have and can help you choose the right vehicle with everything you need. No matter what kind of used model is perfect for you, shopping with people who are committed to helping you with everything you need makes all the difference. Contact us at DePaula today to find the right vehicle with the right people.