Used Cars

The automobile remains a basic necessity in our highly mobile society. But inflated costs for raw materials and labor, coupled with the additional expense of meeting government anti-pollution and safety requirements, have made the prices of new cars skyrocket beyond the reach of many Americans. It is no wonder that used cars outsell new cars by three to two.

Unless you're rolling in cash, you are probably wise to drive a used car. A good alterative is a used . From an economic perspective, you are better off because it can save you thousands of dollars. Taking better care of your current car usually makes much more sense than trading it in for a new car.

The cost of repairs will never exceed the cost of a new car. Changing your oil, replacing brakes, belts and hoses are nothing compared to monthly payments on a new car. Even a costly repair like rebuilding an engine if necessary is cheaper than all but the cheapest used cars. However, when faced with major repairs even the most frugal car owners will begin to wonder if it is time to get a newer car.

If you've paid off your car, it is still in great shape and needs only a few modest repairs, there's no need to throw it away. Enjoy your freedom from car payments. Enjoy lower annual taxes, insurance rates and license fees on your old car. Some older cars actually get better gas mileage than the newer cars.

Today’s vehicles last longer. A few years ago car owners were afraid to keep a car after it had 100,000 miles. The average life of a car today is 150,000 miles although many go even beyond that.