It can be hard to shop for a car without getting sucked into the usual debates. For example, you've probably heard a lot of debate around used cars versus new cars. That’s okay -- we're here to clear up a few things.

First and foremost, let's settle the score, shall we? Each type of car category has its own merits and weaknesses. If you don't believe us, then we would be more than happy to compare and contrast the two for you in this guide.

Starting with new cars, there's a lot to love -- we've been trained through smart marketing to value new cars. We associate them with success, since you usually have to have a steady income in order to qualify for a new car loan, so much more than what you would need to have for a used car loan. You get the joy of knowing that no one has driven your car significantly except you -- there's one owner, and one owner only. For some people, that’s more important than saving money. If you're the type of person that you want to know that there’s no significant repair work that needs to be done, then you might want to go with the new car. It'll usually have the best warranty, but that doesn't mean that your used car won't have any warranty at all.

You see, when we look at the used car scene, you'll find that many used cars are actually now called certified pre-owned. This means that they have been owned by someone else, but the dealership has taken the time to check the vehicle over according to a specific set of specifications. Wow, try saying that three times fast!

On a more serious note, used cars are just as good, especially if you're very budget conscious. You can find some used cars cheap enough to be purchased with cash, which means that you wouldn't even need to seek financing. However, with used cars there are problems that lurk underneath the hood in many cases. That's why it's so important to make sure that you're actually checking out a car before you buy it -- it really makes a lot more sense that way.

Still not sure which one to get for your next car? Well, if budget is a big deal for you, you might want to go with the used car set. However, if you think you can qualify for one of those cash offers on a new car and other incentives, then you might check what's available on that side too. That's all there is to it!