I’ve blogged several times about how used cars are a much better value than new cars. But when the federal government’s new emission regulations kick in, used cars are going to be in even higher demand.

According to one major automotive executive, consumers will begin turning to quality used cars, such as certified Fords and other pre-owned vehicles, to save money. The new guidelines will add $5,000-6,000 to current price tags for new carrs.   The added cost is due to the new mandatory equipment needed to meet the stringent 35-mpg standards.

These prices aren’t going to take effect right away. In fact, the government won’t enforce the new fuel economy standards passed last year until 2020. But that means the automakers will make small steps towards the goal instead of one giant leap.

Because the government will enforce the new standards only for new cars, it leaves the used car market wide open for consumers who don’t want to pay an extra $6,000 because of a government levy. Unfortunately, auto executives think this will also cause the used car prices to increase as well. In time, this could equal out and the used cars could cost almost as much as new cars. The gap could become so small that people would rather buy new cars because the prices are almost the same. But it will be quite a while before that equilibrium occurs.

There’s still more than a decade before the new regulations officially take effect. There’s no better time to get behind the wheel of a certified Ford before the prices go up. See our St. Louis area ford dealers or our Ford dealerships in Waterloo today!