Brand-new or Used
Choosing between a brand-new car and a good used car is an age-old dilemma. While a new car offers assurance regarding quality and mechanical condition, it often comes with a hefty price tag.
For us, opting for a good used car makes more financial sense. The rapid depreciation of a new car’s value upon purchase is a significant factor. However, navigating the used car market poses challenges, particularly in assessing the vehicle’s quality and ensuring a fair price-to-quality ratio.
To gauge the quality of a used car, we undertook two key measures:
- Familiarization with the car:
- Acquiring in-depth knowledge of the vehicle, especially in its mechanics. Researching, learning, and understanding the crucial mechanical aspects is essential for an overland journey and to know what you are buying.
- Identifying what specific features and components demand attention, which might indicate additional (maintenance) costs.
- Professional Inspection:
- Seeking a purchase inspection from a (specialized) garage. While this incurs a moderate cost, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment. These inspections provide insights into the car’s overall condition, highlighting the quality of vital and conspicuous components.
In addition to these steps, we considered various aspects while keeping in mind potential future expenditures on the vehicle:
- Kilometers driven:
- Assessing the mileage and evaluating whether the existing engine can sustain your planned driving distance. Anticipating whether a mid-journey engine replacement might become necessary.
- Engine, Gears, Brakes, Differentials, and Clutch:
- Evaluating the condition of these critical components and determining whether replacements are imminent.
- Body and Suspension Quality:
- Checking for signs of rust and examining the suspension system for optimal performance.
- Ownership History:
- Scrutinizing the number of previous owners. Preferably, buying from the first owner can provide insights into the vehicle’s history. Examining the maintenance booklet and inquiring about the car’s usage, especially if it underwent heavy off-roading.
By addressing these factors, we aimed to make a well-informed decision that aligned with our overland journey requirements and financial considerations.