By Shawn

Here’s the thing – It’s no secret that the automotive market is experiencing an unprecedented lift in pricing right now. If you have a REALLY old car that you can’t stand to limp along any more, now may be the time to get the best value for it.

But then what do you replace it with?

Late model pre-owned cars are now going for scary-close amounts compared to their original MSRPs. That’s anything 0-3 years old that I’m talking about. I can’t in good faith say that paying sticker price for a 2020 Accord is a good idea. However, 4-6 year old models are more affordable, and if you find one with low or average miles and a good history, then you’re in business. Yes, it may be $3-5000 more than it was 18 months ago, but your $500 hoopty is now worth thousands so it all comes out in the wash.

The most important thing is to be a savvy shopper. Most dealerships are going to a one-price model, meaning they don’t haggle or deviate from the pricing they set forth online. But that may not be a bad thing. With one-price dealers becoming more common, dealerships are no longer building excess padding into their prices.

Find several examples of the model you’re looking for and pull CarFax’s and read dealership reviews. What does a clean CarFax and a 4.8 star rating for the selling dealer tell you? It means that you’ll get a car that you won’t have to invest much in for the next few years.

And most importantly, don’t confuse price with value. There’s an old saying for people that know cars: the cheapest one you can find ends up being the most expensive one you’ll buy. What that means is spend a bit more for a well vetted car so you limit your headaches and possible investment in the near future when it comes to repairs and maintenance.

If you have any questions about purchasing your next car, please email us. We’re here to help!