The worldwide shortage of new cars is giving rise to an old debate: Which is better, buying a new car or a used car? At a time when it's hard to find a used car and even harder to find a new one, the debate now has an extra dimension: What kind of car can you even get? At BMW of Chico, we offer a variety of new BMW models and a good selection of used vehicles, including BMW, so we offer some thoughts to help you decide what works best.
Arguments in favor of new cars
When you buy a new car from our new car inventory, you're guaranteed that you're the first owner, so you know the car is essentially flawless. Then you can make try to make sure your new car, truck or SUV stays as close to perfect as possible. A new car has brand-new technology and most repairs are covered by a new car warranty for three years or more.
Arguments against buying a new car
The moment you drive a new vehicle to your Northern California home, a big chunk of the car's value vanishes. During the first year, your new car will lose more of its value than at any other time of its life. Because new cars are the most expensive kind you can buy, your car loan payments will cost more and so will your monthly insurance costs. With California's state sales tax above 7%, a new car also costs more in taxes.
Arguments in favor of buying a used car
Depreciation actually helps you when you buy from our used car inventory because it means that car has already been through the biggest drop in value, and it's now at a discount. When you buy a recent model used car, you often pay less to get the same features you'd get with a new car because those tend to stay the same for a few years.
Arguments against buying a used car
Simply because parts on a car wear out, a used car will nearly always cost more for repairs, and a used car isn't usually covered by a warranty, so most repairs are out of your pocket. If you're not sure what's right for you, make the 90-minute drive from Sacramento, CA to Chico and let's talk it over. We'll help you find the right approach and then help you find the right new or used car at BMW of Chico.