The smart money buys used, says Autoquake.com

Autoquake.com, UK online used car retailer, reveals how much better off new car buyers would be switching to a used car. As the first 59-plate cars are delivered to customers, savvy shoppers can save a small fortune or buy a bigger, better car for the same money on the used market.

The best-selling new car so far this year has been the Ford Fiesta 1.25i Zetec 5dr with a list price price of £13,195. Buyers with the same budget visiting Autoquake.com could choose a roomier, more powerful and more economical car – the Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI BlueMotion Match 5dr. The 24,000-mile, 08-plate example Autoquake.com has in stock costs £12,820, saving £375 over the new Fiesta.

“Everybody loves the idea of a brand new car,” said Autoquake.com CEO, Garry Hobson, “but when you can buy a much better car for the same money on the used market, it’s clear where the smart money goes.

“As soon as a new car is driven out of the showroom, it starts to lose value,” added Hobson. “If you buy used, this depreciation works for you, not against you. It’s possible to save thousands buying used after the first owner has taken the hit.”

Savvy car buyers could save a small fortune just by doing without that new car smell. A two-year old Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec 5dr on Autoquake.com costs just £7,021. The 07-plate, 9000-mile example of the previous-shape Fiesta is little more than half the cost of the new car. That’s a saving of over £6000.

It’s not just supermini buyers who would be better off buying used. The BMW 3 Series compact executive is also in the top 10 new cars of 2009. A 320d SE has a list price of £26,680. For that money on Autoquake.com, buyers could upgrade to a limo. The online car supermarket has a 53,000-mile, 57-plate BMW 730Ld SE auto in stock, priced at £24,400. That’s more than £2000 less than the cost of a new BMW 3 Series for a larger, quicker more luxurious car

Buying a used BMW 3 Series instead of new could easily save a five figure sum. Autoquake.com has a 75,000-mile, 06-plate BMW 320d SE in stock, priced at £10,194. That’s more than £16,000 less than a new car which, number plate aside, would look all but identical.