While we’re mired in economic uncertainty, many folks are deciding to buy used cars rather than new. While there are plenty of great things about buying new – new car smell, anyone? – there is a lot to be said about buying used. With increasing numbers of people buying used, the used car part market is booming.
Drivers are looking to cut costs, and the way that they’re doing it is to repair their own vehicles. Car repair work can be incredibly expensive, with most of the cost isn’t in the parts themselves. Labor is an expensive aspect of car repair.
In the early 2000s, car sales ranged about 16 million units per year. Now that we’re in the “Great Recession,” new car sales peak at about 10 million per year. This means more and more people are driving older and used cars.
Another thing to consider is that people who used to seek out a dealership for repair may no longer have a dealership to visit. During the auto bailouts, part of the agreement was for some dealerships to cease business. This is one of the reasons these days there are fewer car dealership around, in addition to the shuttering of dealerships that simply could not compete.
Technology has made leaps and bounds in recent years, so cars do tend to function better and last longer. Cars last longer than they ever have before. Once you need a car repair, you often have to decide whether you’re going to buy a new part or a used or rebuilt part. If you’re replacing a transmission, engine or fuel pump, and you have the option to try used or rebuilt. It’s one thing to buy a sweater at the thrift store, but should you really go for a used engine in your car?
One of the best reasons to buy new is because you get a longer warranty. On the other hand, used parts can come with warranties as well. They also have the benefit of being cheaper – sometimes much cheaper – than their new counterparts.
Buying a used car and then maintaining it with used parts is one of the many ways you can save money. When you’re experiencing tough economic times, there are many ways to save money, and this is just one of them. Be sure to educate yourself to be sure you’re making safe choices, but also so you can make smart choices.
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Tags: Automotive, automotive parts, used car parts, used cars
