With our shaky economy and uncertain jobs future many people are asking themselves... "Do I really need a new car now?"
The answer depends totally on your financial situation and whether or not you feel secure in making such a large investment. Sometimes a good pre-owned car can be a better option; maybe you can do some repairs to your current car and get another few years out of it.
Unfortunately for many the recession has left their credit in less than perfect condition causing additional obstacles when searching for a car, but there are solutions; the key is to take action but make intelligent choices and stay within your budget. Buying a car on credit can be difficult if you have had a poor payment history in the past but it CAN be done.
The facts show people are buying fewer cars today than they were just a few years back but each month auto sales are improving and we are slowly getting back to the pre-recession levels. That's the good news. Many people are rethinking their priorities when it comes to their cars often choosing fewer luxury options, looking for better fuel economy or perhaps "Certified Pre-Owned".
The truth is most of us having a need for reliable transportation and reliable transportation costs money; how much depends on you. Buying a ten year old car today is an entirely different animal from the previous ten years. Think about the technological differences between a 1990 model Honda Accord and a 2000 Accord. Many people however are opting to keep their old cars longer or buying inexpensive pre-owned cars where they can pay cash and avoid car payments entirely.
Whatever your decision the internet provides great resources to help; whether it is a car repair forum, reviews of the best and most reliable cars or online parts wholesalers that can get parts for virtually any make and model.
If you are buying an older car be sure to perform a thorough vehicle history check so you buy with confidence. Extended warranty coverage can be purchased even if your factory warranty has expired or if your car has high miles. It costs nothing to get a quote and can be a life saver if you are facing a major repair.