::Barloworld ::Used cars
Used cars make for a fascinating market. New cars fall in set segments at set prices that have structure and make sense. You usually get what you pay for and budget runabouts are cheap and cheerful, but not terribly fulfilling to drive. At the other end of the scale, the most expensive cars are exponentially so, and can cost 20 or 30 times as much as the cheapies.
However, the used market looks quite different. Luxury cars tend to shed value much faster than reliable, inexpensive shopping cars. The latter retain their values rather well and with most people falling in the “middle class” sector, these cars will always be in demand on the pre-owned market and there will always be plenty of people queuing up for them and keep their prices up.
That very expensive luxury model with the electronic dampers, electric everything and computers galore is not so popular, ten years down the line. By that time, its price has dropped massively, placing it squarely amongst much more basic and less glamorous family transport. It might be a couple of years older, but it is nevertheless a big temptation for the used car buyer. Shall I take my chances and own a prestige badge and ride in the lap of luxury? Or shall I make a sensible choice and choose the newer, plebeian best-seller at the same price?
Many people opt for the once-expensive brand name, resigning themselves to the higher fuel, maintenance and repair bills in exchange for the low price of admission. This can work out very well, if the buying decision is informed and if the car is in very good condition, with no expensive vitals about to fail. However, buying blind and being presented with a R50 000 gearbox repair bill is often the cruel undoing of the optimistic purchaser.
Used cars are an interesting collection of choices and lines that were once clear between classes of car are often blurred on the pre-owned market. Be sure to weigh all the options and make an informed decision.
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