So, it’s time to start looking for your next vehicle purchase. Perhaps you have been out of the car-buying market for several years, or maybe you are on the lookout for a second vehicle. Either way you’ve probably realized that in the current economy, finding a new vehicle is proving to be more difficult than you originally anticipated.

With fluctuating prices, increasing interest rates, and low new car inventory, it can definitely feel as if your options are limited. 

At Stephen Wade Auto Center on Auto Mall Drive, we help you navigate every vehicle purchase you make in Washington County. We understand that new vehicles are hard to come by. Used cars and Certified Pre-Owned cars are excellent options for anyone asking: "How do I buy a vehicle near me?"

Here are four reasons why you should choose to buy a used car. 

Depreciation

Traditionally speaking, new cars lose more value than used cars.

Depreciation is simply the reduction in value that occurs for any given object--in this case, a car, truck, or SUV. With automobiles, depreciation occurs the moment you drive your newly purchased vehicle off the lot. According to CarsDirect: "It is possible for a new car to lose around 10% to 20% of its value within the first year of ownership." This is because as soon as a new vehicle leaves a dealership, it becomes a used vehicle.

While some people are comfortable with trading the potential of depreciation for the specific features they have been searching for, many more choose to purchase a used car to avoid the impact on their wallet. By doing a little research—or even stopping by one of our locations for advice—you can find a myriad of used vehicles known to hold their value long after you leave our driveway.

We encourage you also to consider a certified used car. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are "late model, low-mileage vehicles that have been inspected and reconditioned to new-car levels according to the manufacturer's standards." These vehicles come with additional warranties, making them a great way to avoid new car depreciation while retaining new car benefits.

And, because of our thirteen different brands--including Mercedes, Sprinter, Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan, Ram, Cadillac, Fiat, Honda, Jeep, Mazda, Chevrolet, and Dodge—in one location, you can have your pick of brand-specific certified pre-owned cars. Yet, even with the perks of a used car, prices may still feel a bit higher than they were a few years ago. Don't worry; when you buy pre-owned, you can potentially position yourself for better trade-in results later.

With a bit of patience and the help of an automotive professional, it is possible to find something to meet your family's needs. From safety to comfort to luxury, the used car management teams here at Stephen Wade Auto Center search the country to find our high-quality used inventory.

Then, to ensure that quality, we inspect every used car as soon as it gets to our dealerships. You can rest assured that our multi-point inspections mean that each and every vehicle here at our seven dealerships meets the Stephen Wade Auto Center standard of quality.

Options

Here at Stephen Wade, you have options.

Stephen Wade Auto Center has the largest used car inventory in Southern Utah. You can't go wrong. Whether your zip code is 84770, 84780, 84790, or anywhere else in Washington County, you have options for cheap used cars near you. You can check out our inventory of over 800 used cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans by stopping by one of our seven dealerships on Auto Mall Drive or going to our website stephenwade.com.

Yes, we have all been enduring what seems like the never-ending chip shortage saga of the last few years. And with supply chain concerns still plaguing our every shopping experience, the new car industry has been hit particularly hard. Since 2020 the available supply of new vehicles has dropped 62%. When you buy a used car, you can take back control of your choices. You can avoid the hassle, frustration, and stress of finding a new vehicle.

Waiting

You don't have to wait in the new car line when you buy a used car. 

Every day at Stephen Wade Auto Center, we have conversations with customers frustrated with the long wait times for a new vehicle. We couldn't agree more—we are too. All over the country, people have been searching for months for that brand-new truck, hybrid SUV, or electric car that just is not available. We often encounter hard-working people, like yourself, who have put down a deposit at another dealership only to find themselves waiting for six, nine, or even twelve months for their car, truck, or SUV. 

Many of our customers are not just looking for a vehicle; they are looking for an explanation. The truth is, no one anticipated the last few years, and only a few people were prepared correctly. Companies often use a process called short-cycle manufacturing which means they build on demand and limit their costs by not holding a surplus of product in reserve. They make just enough to sell. While this production method has been common for years, this practice became problematic as demand for new vehicles increased. Supply could not keep up, and new SUVs, cars, trucks, and minivans began selling before they were even built. This increased demand then put pressure on the companies that supplied parts for those new vehicles—such as speakers, drive-line components, and even windshields. Demand increased, supply decreased, and suddenly our pipeline came to a shuddering halt. 

But what does that have to do with your need for a car today?

A 2010 used SUV, a 2019 used truck, or even a 2020 used car suffers no such manufacturing restrictions. Here at Stephen Wade, we have chosen to focus on ensuring a used inventory ready for the needs of our customers. 

Don't wait for an on-order vehicle that has yet to be built when you can drive away today in a high-quality, lightly used car. Avoid the line and buy a pre-owned vehicle here in Washington County.

Get rid of the stress of a high-mileage trade-in that you have been driving for the last decade and head over to Auto Mall drive to find the best inventory of used cars in St. George, Utah.

As you know, we pride ourselves on helping you drive away with a vehicle today. It matters to us that you feel secure in your transportation. Let the trained sales professionals at Stephen Wade Auto Center help you find a used car option that meets your family's needs. 

Make a Difference

You can help us make a difference in St. George. 

During the month of December, when you purchase a vehicle at any of our seven locations, a portion of that purchase goes to help those in need within our community. We have over 500 homeless or near homeless children in Southern Utah. Stephen Wade Auto Center aims to end homelessness by contributing a portion of every used vehicle purchase made in December to various organizations in the St. George area.   

With the help of the Wade Family Foundation, the Stephen Wade dealerships on Auto Mall Drive are focused on giving back. Through employer-encouraged service hours, fundraising endeavors, and community participation, our sales, and service professionals are devoted to the great people of Southern Utah. We know that it is through your continued patronage that we can give back. 

So whether you order and wait for a new vehicle, drive away today with a used car, or stop by to donate to our Wish Tree, your Stephen Wade family is ready to greet you at the door and help you in any way we can.

Don’t forget, you’ve got it made at Stephen Wade.