Driving down the open road with a playlist full of hits, a cooler packed with snacks, and your best travel mates in tow… is there anything better than a summer road trip?
Whether you’re cruising cross-country or exploring your home state, every road runner needs a reliable vehicle to take them to their destination. And while you may not think of a second-hand car or van as a road trip-ready machine, these vehicles might surprise you.
Here, we break down how to land a high-quality used car so you can hit the ground running this road trip season.
Why Choose a Used Vehicle?
While brand new cars come with the benefit of a warranty (and that new car smell), they can cost you. You’ve probably heard that a new vehicle starts losing value the moment you drive it off the lot—and that’s true. According to Carfax, cars generally lose 10% of their value within a month of purchase and 20% within the first year.
Second-hand cars, on the other hand, don’t depreciate as quickly. They’re also more affordable in the first place.
You can save thousands by purchasing a used car—even if it’s only a year or two old. As long as you buy from a reliable source, you can confidently drive your new van or SUV across the country.
How to Find Your Road Trip Vehicle
With Auto Link, our new car-finding product tool, members of the best credit union New Jersey has to offer can find the used adventure vehicle of their dreams. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Get to Know The Market
Even before you start car shopping, you can dive into the educational materials in our Discover section. Find out what to do (and what not to do) when car shopping, watch informative videos, and wade through some FAQs. If you arm yourself with information before you start shopping, you’ll be better positioned to zero in on the best deal.
Step 2: Look At Your Finances
Next, it’s time to assess your options. Use our Finance section to discover your credit score, calculate how much it will cost you to own a vehicle, and apply for loan pre-approval. We offer used car loans NJ residents can usually only dream of.
As a North Jersey Federal Credit Union member, you’ll also gain free access to the NADAguides auto pricing database, where you can learn the value of your current car.
Step 3: Find Your Car
Now, the fun begins. Use our intuitive tool to search for used cars by make, model, year, mileage, and more. You’ll find thousands of vehicles on our database—all of which you can virtually test-drive from home.
Step 4: Investigate How It Measures Up
Think you’ve found the perfect van for your vacation? Fantastic. But before you lock in your purchase, it’s crucial to do some supplementary research.
We’ve made it easy to look at AutoCheck vehicle history reports, view safety ratings, and more. You’ll also have access to:
Free CARFAX™ reports – View the history of your future car.
Our Price Curve tool – Verify that each listing is priced accurately and fairly.
Our Find Better Price tool – Confirm you’ve found the best deal in your area.
Step 5: Seek Out Insurance
Car insurance is a vital part of vehicle ownership—especially if you’ll be driving across the country. We offer Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP insurance) and extended service contracts for less than the usual rates. Protect your new investment, even if it’s not a new car.
Step 6: Hit The Road
Finally, you’re ready to hit the pavement and see some sights in your new car. And even though your journey of finding a vehicle is over, your benefits as an NJFCU member aren’t. Optional perks for owners include:
myEZ Car Care membership (discounts on maintenance and travel)
24/7 roadside assistance
You’ll even enjoy a free three-month SiriusXM trial—perfect for hours of road trip karaoke.
You’ve Found Your Next Car—Now Finance It with NJFCU
No matter where your second-hand car takes you, North Jersey Federal Credit Union will be right there with you. When you buy your vehicle with NJFCU, you gain access to some of the best used car loan rates NJ has, statewide: as low as 2.49% APR, plus up to 100% financing.
Discover all the benefits of being an NJFCU member and apply today!
