The thought of driving a new car is enticing, but new cars aren’t cheap and buyers need to exercise financial awareness before committing to a new car purchase. There is however great value to be found in the used car market and depending on what car you have your eyes on, opting for a used car will not only solve your need for mobility but often makes more financial sense too. Here are 2 major reasons you should consider buying a used car…
Cars, especially new cars, exert a strange and powerful force on humans. They have the power to cripple our common sense and manipulate our decision-making process. Before you know it, you could be driving your dream car off a showroom floor, forgetting, perhaps just for a moment, that you can’t afford it. Does this sound like you?
New car prices have risen sharply, so much so that many buyers are unable to afford the new car of their choice and are forced to shop down.
For those willing to forego buying a new car, the used car market has much to offer buyers in terms of value but due to the high demand for quality used cars, used car prices have also risen as a result.
Even so, choosing to buy a used car is a sensible choice and here are 2 major reasons why!
Two Major Reasons to Consider Buying a Used Car
1. Affordability
Affordability is the main reason to consider buying a used car, but it’s by no means the only factor. A used car is considerably cheaper than a new car because (in most cases) the brunt of depreciation has already been absorbed by the previous owner.
Here’s a nice example; to buy a brand new, base spec Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSi Life costs R362 200, but if you opt to buy a used VW T-Cross, you can jump into a low mileage, 2-3-year-old top-spec T-Cross R-Line for under R300k. That’s a big financial win!
More than this, it will also be cheaper to finance and insure a used car (due to the lower purchase price) and in some cases you may even benefit from the carry-over warranty and maintenance plan.
There is a perception that used cars are of sub-standard quality, and in some cases this might be true, but the reality is that there are thousands of quality used cars on the market and if you take the time to find the right car for you, you can save a lot of money!
Also keep in mind that very often the value of optional extras are not accurately reflected in used car prices, so you may actually get more than you bargained for.
If you’re unsure about what car you’re able to afford, our Car Affordability Calculator and our Car Finance Calculator are handy tools to help you make the best car buying decision possible.
Top Tip: Find a used car that’s 2-3 years old with low mileage for the best value.
2. More Choice
The used car market opens up a wide range of options to the used car buyer. Couldn’t afford that glitzy SUV you’ve always wanted? Well, now you possibly can. Just take your time and shop around…
The fact that used cars are cheaper than new cars gives buyers much more choice and freedom. At Cars.co.za, we have well over 70 000 used vehicles to choose from, anywhere in South Africa.
Our new Used Car Search Tool with “Quick Search” functionality will allow you to find the car you are looking for — fast!
Need advice on what car to buy? We have an experienced and dedicated team who are ready to offer the best car buying advice. Feel free to ask us questions on Facebook or X and we will gladly assist you.
Also see: How to Buy a Car in South Africa
