Some used cars and certified pre-owned (CPO) cars can be leased. With a lease, you can get lower payments, fewer maintenance worries, and cheaper taxes. Contact the dealer to see if the car you’re interested in is available for lease.

Yes—for a number of reasons. New cars have better resale value, credit scores are typically higher for new-car buyers, and people with lower scores tend to default on loans more often. Also, some dealerships simply want you to buy a new car, so they may incent you to do so.

Financing a used car through a dealership is easy—and you can even start the process online, right here on CarGurus. Tell us some details, get your pre-qualification, then shop online with real rates. Once you find your dream car, head to the dealer with confidence and tell them you’re pre-qualified on CarGurus. When buying privately, you’ll need to secure financing on your own. Many banks offer private party auto loans—contact your financial institution for more info.