Whether you’re a car lover or just like the best in which to get around, it can be difficult not to have your head turned by flashy new vehicle releases that not only look the part but also boast modern additions fit for a spaceship. From windscreen projections to intelligent infotainment, it’s certainly no surprise that your standard model with a tape player and basic controls suddenly looks so tired.
But does this mean that you should jump right into the latest new release? We don’t think so. In fact, the speed of tech advancements right now, and the price tags attached to most of them, means that even car owners who used to buy the best as soon as it launched are feeling the benefits of waiting a year or more. And here’s why you might well want to join them.
High prices that aren’t necessarily worthwhile
With the average price tag of new release vehicles currently coming in above the $45,000 mark for the first time, the latest launch is almost guaranteed to leave your bank empty. Yet, when you consider the high depreciation rates of most vehicles the moment you drive them out of the garage, it’s very difficult to justify that expense. By comparison, waiting a few months to buy second hand could see you knocking a fair few grand off that asking price, especially if you seek companies that provide cash for used cars that you can put directly towards this purpose. This, paired with generally lower insurance rates on second hand offerings, could in-time save you a small fortune.
The potential for recalls
Most evident in Tesla’s infamous need to recall 158,000 vehicles, new releases also come with the risk of either accident or inconvenience should faults occur. Unfortunately, statistics show that the use of complex tech is increasing the prevalence of recalls in a lot of cases. This isn’t a reality you want to face after spending such a huge amount of money and is something you can avoid by simply waiting at least a few months until potential faults have been identified, rectified, and improved upon.
Unknown reliability
In rough relation to faults, etc., entirely new vehicle launches are also unknown entities, especially when it comes to reliability. Of course, ample testing should mean that everything’s built to last, but the prevalence of recalls alone suggests that isn’t always the case. What’s more, vehicles that are now typically built with style over substance too often fail to stand the test of time in the same way as, say, the Honda Civic, which is famed for being bombproof. As well as further undermining the expense of this investment, this can see you struggling to enjoy a vehicle that lasts and means it’s worth resisting until that car has proven itself as a viable option for your future on the road.
The glitz and glam of new vehicles holds undeniable appeal, but make sure those sparkles don’t blind you by considering these practical benefits of waiting at least a little while before you upgrade your car.
