When you are having issues with your car, one of the thoughts that may come to mind is that it may be time to replace it. For some people this may not be an option, but with the vehicle market being the way it is not, even if your vehicle is having issues you may still be able to sell it or use it as a considerable down-payment for your next vehicle purchase.
Before you decide to buy a new vehicle though you should still consider something about the purchase and your current car.
1.) Are There Any Issues With Your Car?
Before selling your car or taking your vehicle to any dealership for a trade in, you should always have your car reviewed with an experienced mechanic. This is important for 2 reasons:
- Having a list of issues from the mechanic means that the dealership won’t swindle you into reducing the price of your car because of issues that may not exist
- You Want to be able to describe any issues that the vehicle may have at the time of sale if you choose not to repair them.
Some dealerships (Especially used car dealerships) may not be as trustworthy as other dealerships. They may try to ding you off the price of your vehicle/trade-in for any small issues they find. Yes, they may have a cost for repairing the vehicle before reselling it, but at least being knowledgeable about the true cost of the repair would be much more worthwhile especially if you are trying to sell your car.
On top of that, common courtesy is to be transparent about any issues that vehicle may have especially when selling your vehicle to a private party. Some buyers may not be as savvy as others. As you would expect from others, being honest in a sale would be much more appreciated and you won’t have to face repercussions for being dishonest during a sale.
2.) What Is Your Vehicle Worth?
With the internet on hand, you can generally get a good idea of your vehicle’s worth even without professional appraisal. One of the things to consider is what is the worth of the car based on its condition. It would be wise to compare the price of the vehicle before a repair and what it would be after the repair.
If you take a look, you may see that the price for a vehicle sells for substantially more if you make the repair and you may be more profitable on a sale if that is the case. On the contrary, you may also want to consider the opposite. If the repair itself does not substantially increase the worth of the vehicle, you may not be as tempted to get it.
3.)How Does It Feel When You Drive Your car?
Sometimes the issues we are having with our car are simply out of boredom. When we are comfortable, we tend to make problems for ourselves even though there isn’t any problem in the first place. That’s why it is important to take a step back and really consider how well your vehicle is performing. If you notice that your car is not too old, still performs well, and is reliable, then it may not be for the best to invest in a new vehicle as that may become a financial burden on you, especially if the vehicle you are currently driving is already paid off.
To ease your mind off some of those issues, generally simple repairs or maintenance on your vehicle will be a quick solution for any problems you may be experiencing.
4.) What Do You Use Your Car For?
Are you using the car for work? Do you use your car to commute? Is this a family car or your personal car? These are all questions you should ask yourself before buying a new car or selling your current car.
If you are commuting regularly and are noticing issues with your vehicle or perhaps its not performing as well as it should be, then a new car may be a good option. Generally newer cars tend to offer better City and Highway mileage. Purchasing a New Vehicle can also reduce the cost of insurance since there is less liability on the vehicle having issues after purchasing.
Depending on the vehicle you are looking to purchase it also may be a drastic change from what you are currently driving. If you are used to a spacious car and then decide to get a smaller sedan, you may come to regret the decision especially if you have family who often joins you on the rides.
5.) What Are You Looking For In A New Car?
Every person has wants and needs when purchasing a new car. Similar to What You Use Your Car For, You should also consider your requirements for a new car. Depending on the age of your current vehicle, it may already meet a lot of the requirements that you currently have. Purchasing a new car then may not be as worth it. If you think you can notice a significant difference in performance (Even after maintenance or repairs on your car), then buying a new car may be the right choice. In the even that the car meets most if not all your requirements though, taking the car to a mechanic near you may be a better choice.
For all your Automotive Repair and Service Needs in Whittier, Ca!
Our Team of Professional Automotive Specialists are here to help you with any of your Auto Repair and Service Needs. For a quick quote on your next Vehicle Repair, Whether it’s a Truck, SUV, Motorhome, Hybrid or Diesel Vehicle, rest assured knowing that we will go above and beyond to make sure you are taken care of!
For more information on how we can help you Give Us a Call or Drop By Our Repair Shop Today!