Sticker Price

Most new vehicles lose almost ten percent of their initial value the minute they drive off the new car lot. By their third birthday, many new cars have depreciated by as much as forty percent from their original sale price. Exceptional levels of initial quality help Cadillac, GMC, Buick, and Chevrolet vehicles maintain their value better than almost any other brands on the market today. This fact helps make a case for buying new (you will get more when you trade your General Motors vehicle in), but in a way, also checks a box in the used car buying category. You may pay a little more upfront when buying a pre-owned GM but, you will also get more if and when you decide to sell later on down the road.

Cost to Own

Every vehicle's cost to own depends on its mileage, age - and in the case of a used vehicle - its condition. Both new and used cars incur many similar maintenance costs like oil changes, tune-ups, and windshield wiper blade replacements. Second-hand owners are more likely to get hit with replacement costs for items like brakes, tires, and fluid changes. New car buyers also fare better when it comes to major repairs. Along with the lower risk of a new vehicle needing extensive repairs, there's also a good chance that the vehicle's original warranty will cover the work. Every new GM vehicle, for example, comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000 mile power train limited warranty. Buying used holds a significant edge when it comes to insurance, however. Not only do the rates go down as your car depreciates, but you may be able to drop your comprehensive coverage, at some point, and save a little more, as well. Also, don't forget the taxes. Taxes can be quite substantial, depending on where you live and how much you pay for your next new or used car purchase.

Have It Your Way

When you take the used car route, you may spend weeks or even months trying to find a vehicle that fits your budget and lifestyle. Forget about getting a particular color. Depending on how much money you have to spend, purchasing a new car means getting it customized just the way you want. You get to avoid the late nights and lost weekends of searching online, then driving to dealerships to find they just sold your dream car to someone else, earlier that day. On the flip side, some shoppers find that buying used offers them the opportunity to own a vehicle that is otherwise financially out of reach. They want the amenities that come standard on most high-end cars, or need a large SUV as opposed to a subcompact, but don't have the budget. Pre-owned vehicles typically offer more "bang for the buck" than their fresh off the assembly-line counterparts.

Safety

For the most part, recent advances in driver-assist technologies and active safety features continue to make all vehicles safer with every new model year. As an industry leader in automobile safety, many GM vehicles have standard features that other manufacturers consider add-ons.

Like most decisions in life, buying new vs. pre-owned comes down to need, budget, and taste. One thing for sure, however, whether you're looking for a factory-fresh Buick Enclave, or a gently used GMC Acadia, General Motors makes the world's highest quality, safest, and most reliable cars, trucks, and SUVs.