Chevrolets have long been a part of American popular culture, and with good reason: Chevy is one of the most recognizable and trusted brands among American drivers. If you’ve already decided to start the hunt for you next car at local Chevy dealers, the real question is this: Should you be looking at new Chevy dealers, or used Chevy dealers? Here are the pros and cons of both options:
New Chevy Dealers
Some of the reasons to buy a new Chevy apply to all new cars: greater customization options, a full warranty, fewer mechanical risks and lower repair costs. One of the biggest reasons to head to a local new Chevy dealer specifically is that fuel efficiency has skyrocketed in Chevy vehicles over the last 10 years.
The downside of buying a new car, of course, is that it’s more expensive. And since some model years have more problems than others, you don’t have the benefit of comparing years and picking the least problematic one.
Used Chevy Dealers
Obviously, used cars come with some unknown risks. But if you’re buying from a reputable Chevy dealership, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll get a car that’s a complete dud. It’s important to conduct a thorough inspection and ask about previous maintenance and repairs, if that information is available.
But used cars are often a much smarter financial decision than new ones, and you may be surprised by some of the reasons. Of course, the starting price of a used car is lower than a new one. But you may also be able to get a higher percentage of that investment back if you ever decide to sell the car, as well. Here’s why: The value of new cars drop as soon as they’re driven off the lot, even though their physical appearance and mechanical soundness have barely changed at all. Used cars still depreciate, of course, but not nearly as steeply. So by buying a used car just a few model years old, you can get all the up-to-date features and save thousands of dollars.
Do you have any tips on choosing new or used Chevy dealers? Join the discussion in the comments.