The economic downturn may give those looking to buy a used car an inadvertent boost, according to new government data that says used models are more affordable than they’ve been in at least a year.<\/p>\n
According to the Consumer Price Index, used car prices are about 2 percent cheaper than they were in February, and 12 percent cheaper than if a buyer had made the same car buy in March 2008.<\/p>\n
Although gas prices are up somewhat from February, and may hit $2.36 a gallon by the summertime, used car buyers can counteract that by purchasing more fuel efficient cars which can go further on the same tank of gas.<\/p>\n
Drivers can also take advantage of the fact that $4 prices for a gallon of gas are highly doubtful for the near future, as prices are down to nearly half of what they were a year ago.<\/p>\n
Those who are on a tight budget may be able to take advantage of utility and energy costs that are somewhat cheaper than they were a year ago, and are likely to improve as the weather turns warmer.<\/p>\n