It wasn’t always like that, though. The used car once had an owner and a garage to call his own. He sang along to songs on the radio, took weekend road trips, and even visited the kids’ soccer games. But over time, those songs were left unsung, road trips untraveled, kids’ soccer games unvisited.
You see, his owner got older, and as owners get older, so too do their children. Once the reliable family vehicle, that used car was replaced by a bigger, stronger, and newer SUV that could keep up with the family’s busier life. So, the used car sat in the garage, through rainstorms and cold nights and foggy mornings, unable to make a peep.
Then, on a bright September morning, he heard the familiar jingle and jangle of keys. His owner flipped open the garage door, slid into the driver’s seat, and turned the ignition. That used car, through his excitement, revved his engine and purred to life. He coasted around the neighborhood cul-de-sac and rumbled down the highway—all the way to the used car lot.
And there he waited, dreaming the grandest of dreams every night when the dealership’s lights dimmed low. He’d dream of new garages to sleep in, new cul-de-sacs to circle, new songs to sing along with.
But mostly, his dreams were of all the things he’d say to anyone who patted him on the hood and looked through his window. He’d holler from the mountaintops all the benefits of buying a used car like him, and he’d do so every second of every day until he found a new family.
- He’d try the salesman approach: “Did you know that used cars like me depreciate far less than a new car? It’s true! With a new car, you lose up to 50% of your money in the first year of ownership. Sounds like a bogus investment, if you ask me. Used cars are a far better value, especially considering most late-model used cars come with all the bells and whistles.”
- He’d try relating to the shopper: “Yeah, I know how you feel—you can never tell what you’re getting in a used car from a dealership. But sometimes you just have to trust your gut and ask your dealer for a car history report. Some car dealerships even offer a warranty or guarantees of quality on any used vehicle you purchase, if that makes it any easier.”
- He’d try the short-and-sweet talk: “Why buy used cars? Cheap. High in quality. Safe. Lots of choices. Smart”
- He’d try emphasizing the low costs: “With a used car, you won’t be overspending. Not only is the sale price lower, but you’ll also pay less for car insurance, vehicle registration, and even future repairs. Plus, you can always try to pay $0 down on car loan if you’re in a bind.”
- He’d try approaching it practically: “Because vehicles are better than ever, the last generation of used cars have been known to last for up to 200,000 miles without needing any major repairs or engine work. It’d take years to drive one of these babies into the ground.”
Until one day, he heard a familiar sound of clinking and clanking and jingling and jangling. There, in his side-view mirror, he saw the twinkle from a set of keys. Had his dreams come true? Was this the day he’d set off on his new adventure?
A woman slid into his driver’s seat and turned the ignition. So, he did the only thing he could think of: he revved his engine and purred to life, just as he used to with his last owner. As they drove off the lot, she flipped on the radio, and that used car sang all the way home to live happily ever after with his new family.
The moral of the story: there’s a perfect used car out there for everyone—even you. So, go out and adopt one today.
