Should I Buy a New or Used Car? (2023)

FAQs

Is it better to buy a new car right now than used? ›

New cars come with the latest safety features and are very likely to be reliable, though they can come with a higher price tag and higher insurance costs. Used cars are generally cheaper because the high depreciation of their early years is already behind them and you may not need as much insurance coverage.

Buying a used vehicle is a great way to get behind the wheel without shelling out as much as you would for a new vehicle. You will be met with less vehicle depreciation and spend less on insurance and registration while still having peace of mind that your vehicle is in good condition.

The most significant disadvantage of buying a new car is the high cost. Even with a low or zero percent loan interest rate, a full value new a car could cost you $400-$600 a month, depending on the make and model you choose.

Disadvantages of Buying New

The price of a new car is typically much more expensive than if you bought the vehicle used. Be prepared to pay much more in sales tax. New vehicles are said to lose up to 20 percent of their value as soon as you drive off the lot.

Prices could drop up 5% for new vehicles and 10% to 20% for used vehicles in 2023, according to a report in November from J.P. Morgan. The basis for the prediction is that demand has stabilized and vehicle inventory is improving.

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

When should you buy a car financially? ›

End of the year, month and model year. In terms of the best time of the year, October, November and December are safe bets. Car dealerships have sales quotas, which typically break down into yearly, quarterly and monthly sales goals. All three goals begin to come together late in the year.

It's a fact – newer cars are safer than older cars. Advanced technologies and improved structural designs make newer cars a safer choice for your family. NHTSA data shows that fatality rates increase among those driving older vehicles.

Experts typically recommend spending no more than 20 percent of take-home pay on a car. That should include the cost of car payments, fuel, insurance and more. Determining affordability requires balancing your vehicle needs and budget.

If you're buying from a private seller, US News & World Report suggests offering the owner an amount toward the lower end of the range, "backed up with information about the car's condition and how much money you'll have to put into it for repairs." If they don't want to come down on their asking price at all, ask them ...

Cars lose the most value in the first year, and depreciation continues for about five years. A car can lose up to 20% of its value in the first year, and over the first five years fall to around 40% from the original price. That means it loses about 15% of the value each year after the first year.

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.

In the U.S., the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index — which measures the prices dealerships pay for used cars at auctions — hit a high of 257.7 in January 2022 and has since fallen to 222.5 in January 2023. Overall, J.P. Morgan Research predicts used car prices will decline by roughly 10% in 2023.

If you're shopping for a used car, the early months of the year — January and February — are a good time to ship. You may see more vehicles on the market then as people sell their old vehicles after buying new ones over the holidays. That increased supply can lower prices, making it a good time to buy.

A brand new car offers peace of mind and a sense of security. There's no need to worry about hidden flaws, plus the car will typically come with a three-year, 36,000 mile warranty. It's Easier: Buying a new car is easier than buying a used car. Just determine the make and model you want and start shopping.

Is a 10 year old car too old? ›

When buying a used car that's 10-years-old or older, your primary concerns are purchase price and reliability. Don't pay more than that 10-year-old car is worth. And, pick a car with a solid reputation for dependability. No car is really too old if you follow those rules.

What is Considered High-Mileage? Typically, putting 13,000 to 14,000 miles on your car per year is viewed as “average.” A car that is driven more than that is considered high-mileage. With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles.

The general rule, though, is that anything under 200 miles is acceptable for a new car. That allows enough capacity for transport from the shipping port or between dealerships if the car is sent to a new showroom. It's also unlikely that the car would suffer any technical issues with fewer than 200 miles.

Con: You forego a warranty

New cars frequently have a three-year or 36,000-mile manufacturer's warranty, and it's often possible to extend that warranty at a modest cost. With a used car, you don't get that same protection -- if a major issue arises, it's on you to fork over repair costs.

Always plan to get a vehicle history report. This is great as a first step - it immediately lets you know whether or not you're chasing a dead end. Carfax is a go-to resource for checking a VHR - all you need is the car's vehicle identification number (VIN). In some cases, just the license plate will do.

According to Edmunds data, December has the year's highest discount off MSRP — 6.1% on average — and the highest incentives. Automakers and dealerships want to close the year with strong sales. They also want to get rid of the prior model-year cars that are taking up space, so they're motivated.

Basically, the rule goes that you provide a down payment of 20% of the balance, sign a loan for a four-year period, and pay no more than 10% of your monthly income on car expenses. These expenses include any money you put towards your new vehicle, including gas, insurance, and loan payments.

The 20/3/8 car buying rule says you should put 20% down, pay off your car loan in three years (36 months), and spend no more than 8% of your pretax income on car payments. As we go into depth to determine how realistic this rule is, you may consider whether it can actually help you budget for your next car.

In general, lenders look for borrowers in the prime range or better, so you will need a score of 661 or higher to qualify for most conventional car loans.

How much car can I afford on 30k salary? ›

Follow the 35% rule

Whether you're paying cash, leasing, or financing a car, your upper spending limit really shouldn't be a penny more than 35% of your gross annual income. That means if you make $36,000 a year, the car price shouldn't exceed $12,600. Make $60,000, and the car price should fall below $21,000.

How much car can I afford if I make $50,000? While it depends on factors like your credit score, loan terms, down payment and any potential trade-in value, you may find that a vehicle in the $20,000 to $35,000 range will fit your budget.

To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000. Significantly more or fewer miles could indicate a problem or trouble in the future.

Negotiating the price of a used car at a dealer should depend on the car's condition, market value, and how much you're willing to pay. Negotiating a used car price begins with your first impression, so strike a balance between friendly and confident.

Americans planning to shop for a new car in 2023 might find slightly better prices than during the past two years, though auto industry analysts say it is likely better to wait until the fall. Since mid-2021, car buyers have been frustrated by rising prices, skimpy selection and long waits for deliveries.

Due to the lack of new-car inventory, the average used car now costs more than a new one.

End of the year, month and model year. In terms of the best time of the year, October, November and December are safe bets. Car dealerships have sales quotas, which typically break down into yearly, quarterly and monthly sales goals. All three goals begin to come together late in the year.

Well, cars these days are made to last much longer than those produced even a few decades ago. This is because car parts are now constructed to withstand more wear than in the past. That also means fewer repairs and lower overall maintenance costs.

In retaining “like new” quality and inheriting a slower depreciation rate, the best used car age for buying is 2-3 years. In fact, Americans are saving up to $14,000 on a 3-year-old vehicle. For example, a car that may have cost you $30,000 when new would cost around $16,000 after just 3 years.

We know these safety features help save lives. As someone who values your life and the life of your passengers, you should probably get a new car every 8-10 years.

Is it better to pay cash for a car or finance? ›

Paying cash for your car may be your best option if the interest rate you earn on your savings is lower than the after-tax cost of borrowing. However, keep in mind that while you do free up your monthly budget by eliminating a car payment, you may also have depleted your emergency savings to do so.

Based on recent industry data, the prices that car dealers pay wholesale for used cars dropped 14.9% during 2022, which means consumers should also start seeing lower prices on the lot. Money expert Clark Howard also predicts the conditions will continue to improve gradually each month throughout 2023.

Used car prices back on the rise

Prices for used and new vehicles surged last year as a result of a semiconductor shortage as well as other COVID-19-induced disruptions in the global supply chain. Although there were fewer cars being produced, consumer demand remained strong, driving prices higher.

Follow the 35% rule

Whether you're paying cash, leasing, or financing a car, your upper spending limit really shouldn't be a penny more than 35% of your gross annual income. That means if you make $36,000 a year, the car price shouldn't exceed $12,600. Make $60,000, and the car price should fall below $21,000.

72-Month Car Loan Rates Are Typically High

To compensate for the added risk, they often charge higher annual percentage rate (APR) or interest rates. There's no benefit to paying more money in interest, and it's considered by some to be wasted money.

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.