It’s no secret that buying a new car can be expensive, which is why many shoppers prefer to spend their money on an affordable used vehicle. However, finding a used car that’s 100% dependable can take a lot of legwork—unless, of course, you shop for a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle.
At Ed Morse Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Muscatine, we have an excellent selection of certified vehicles, so you can skip the hassle and buy with confidence knowing your new ride is still in excellent condition. If you’re considering buying CPO, here’s everything to know.
What Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean?
Some folks assume Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) is just a fancy term that gets slapped on any old used car as a sales tactic, but in fact, a used car must meet specific age and mileage requirements and go through a detailed 125-point inspection by our factory-trained service technicians to become certified.
All of our branded vehicles have the same requirements to become certified, so whether you’re looking for a brawny Ram truck, a ballistic Dodge muscle car, or a Chrysler minivan for the whole family, you can shop with confidence knowing you’re getting a solid used car that’ll last for miles and miles to come.
Guaranteed top-tier quality isn’t the only benefit of our CDJR CPO program. Other perks include:
- 7 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage
- 3 months or 3,000 miles of Maximum Care Coverage
- 3-month trial of SiriusXM®
- 24/7 sign-and-go roadside assistance
- CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™
- Flexible manufacturer financing
Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used Cars
| Certified Pre-Owned | Used |
| Pros: Guaranteed good condition Warranty coverage High resale value Usually low miles Newer comfort features and safety tech You may qualify for lower interest rates Cons: May be more expensive than other used cars Limited selection | Pros: Many used cars are high quality and dependable May be more affordable than CPO cars Plentiful selection Low rate of depreciation Cons: You may need an inspection to verify condition Mileage may be high Higher interest rates for loans |
The main benefit of shopping for a CPO car rather than a used car is that CPO vehicles come with a guaranteed manufacturer-approved seal of quality. There are plenty of excellent used cars on our lot and elsewhere, but you’ll have to do more legwork and research to confirm the quality for yourself. With a CPO, you don’t have to spend your precious time kicking the tires or having the car inspected by a third party. Certified Pre-Owned cars may also qualify for new car financing rates, which can significantly lower your monthly payment.
On the other hand, all the work that goes into certifying a car and the premium that certification puts on it means that a Certified Pre-Owned car may be a bit more expensive than the exact same model if it were just used; basically, you’re paying for the extra peace of mind. Certified Pre-Owned cars may also be a bit harder to find because they’re in high demand and they’re not as plentiful.
Certified Pre-Owned vs. New Cars
| Certified Pre-Owned | New |
| Pros: Condition is almost on par with new cars More affordable You still enjoy excellent warranty and benefits Any open recalls will already be taken care of Cons: May develop issues sooner Slightly higher interest rates than new cars Usually no lease option | Pros: Brand-new condition guarantees dependability The best warranty coverage available New cars often have the lowest interest rates on loans Comes with the latest technology Leasing available Cons: More expensive High rate of depreciation There’s always a small potential for factory defects or recalls |
The most obvious and important difference between CPO and new cars is that fact that a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle is still technically used. This means that it’s likely already been through the steepest loss of value that you’ll experience, so a CPO vehicle may be a better investment because you’re getting many of the perks of a new vehicle without the higher price tag.
Of course, shopping for a new car is still the best way to drive a vehicle through all of its most trouble-free years, and you won’t have to worry about how the previous owner cared for it. A new car may also be the best option if you’re the kind of owner who likes to get a new vehicle every couple of years, because you can lease it.
Shop Certified Pre-Owned Cars for Sale in Muscatine, IA
If a CPO Chrysler, Ram, or Jeep sounds like it’s up your alley, you can check out our Certified Pre-Owned inventory online to see what we have to offer, then schedule a test drive to experience the difference for yourself.
Any questions about our CPO program that we didn’t answer here? Contact us online or call us today at 563-281-5478.
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