The Advantages Of Buying A Brand-New Vs. Secondhand Car

3 min read By eCompareMo on June 20, 2016

So you’ve managed to secure financing for a new vehicle. However, you find yourself in the midst of another dilemma, and this time around you ask yourself: Is it better to buy a new or used car?

There has been a long-standing debate whether one is better than the other, especially for those on a tight budget. And while we’ve heard car owners in the Philippines raising countless arguments for both sides, it’s hard to decide once and for all who the clear winner is between the two. Whether you should get a pre-loved car or something straight out of the dealership actually depends on your personal needs, preferences, and, particularly, the factors discussed below.

Which is a wiser “investment”?

Financial experts often see vehicles as a liability more than an asset, especially that cars are prone to wear and tear the more you use it. But while a car already loses 20 percent of its value the moment it leaves a dealership, there are vehicles that age like fine wine.

According to online car marketplace Carmudi, “Old cars that have a certain history (mostly luxury cars) or cars that have been owned by a famous figure could have their prices appreciate, especially if they are still in good running condition.” If you’re planning to buy an old car, better make sure it begets more money the longer you possess it.
Winner: Old (vintage) car

Which costs less in the long run?

At first glance, used cars are cheaper than their zero-mileage siblings, and this stretches all the way from the tag price, cost of parts, and cost of insurance policy. But you should take into consideration that cars older than five years are more prone to wear and tear.

The money you could’ve used to mortgage your brand-new car might be spent on parts and repairs on a secondhand car. David Gluckman of Car and Driver offers a sound argument: “For other people, it’s not even the money that is the issue, but the downtime involved,” he says. “Even if you had time and money to spare on a secondhand car’s foibles, other people in your family might not be as fortunate. This is because they need the car for their own use to make their lives easier, safer, and more convenient.”
Winner: Brand-new car

Safety

Newer technologies make it possible for safety features like anti-lock braking system (ABS) and side impact airbags to be existent today, not to mention backup cameras and smart interior features. Since countries become more and more stringent in terms of car safety, manufacturers have to keep up with the times.

Gluckman furthered by saying that “other technologies that are not mandated, like blind-spot monitoring systems, side curtain airbags, adaptive cruise control, and brake assist are becoming more prevalent on less expensive vehicles as their associated costs come down.” Unfortunately, first-generation Mustangs don’t come with the safety features that the new Ford Fiesta offers.
Winner: Brand-new car

Rarity

Used cars, especially vintage ones, are sought out by collectors and casual drivers alike for a simple reason: they’re hard to find. Parts of these rare breeds may be hard to come by, but a little networking can go the distance. Owners of niche car models band together online or through car clubs not only to show love for their cars, but also to make repair and diagnostics easier by looking after each other’s backs.

“When you want to buy an unusual car, as I want to, you start with the forums,” Jalopnik’s Doug DeMuro writes. “This is because forums for unusual cars are a gold mine: they know every issue, every problem, and every fix.”
Winner: Used car

Convenience

Buying a used car can be a lengthy and costly process: you look for a trustworthy seller, transact through a lengthy exchange of messages and calls, inspect and test-drive the car, process your loan application. On the other hand, new car dealers will take care of all the legwork for you; all you need to do is sign some papers.

“Another thing I liked about getting a new car is that my dealer handled the legwork for this on my behalf (at no extra cost),” says Carlos Roig of financial blog Personal Finance Apprentice. “This can also be part of the ‘freebies’—they’ll shoulder the cost as a sales gimmick (if they don’t offer, you can try asking).”
Winner: Brand-new car