How to choose between a new and a used Honda in Sacramento
Buy the new Honda if you plan to keep it for years and want the latest features with no previous owner. Buy the certified pre-owned Honda if you want to spend less now. Compare the out-the-door price of a new Honda with a certified pre-owned one of the same model, then choose by how long you will keep the car and how much warranty coverage you want. Capital City Honda in Sacramento sells new, used and certified pre-owned Hondas, so you can test drive them back to back.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Sacramento. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Should you buy new to keep it long or certified pre-owned to spend less?
Buy new if you plan to keep the car for years and want the latest safety and technology features with no previous owner. Buy used or certified pre-owned if you want a lower price, because much of the first years of depreciation has already happened. Capital City Honda sells all three in Sacramento, at 3630 Fulton Ave, so you can test each against your budget on the same lot.
A new Honda carries a higher purchase price and takes the biggest depreciation hit in its first years. The trade-off is that you get the newest features on a new car, and a used car gives you a lower entry price.
At Capital City Honda, a certified pre-owned Honda gets a 172-point inspection by the store’s factory-trained technicians. Honda backs CPO vehicles with an extended powertrain limited warranty and a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Every CPO vehicle also comes with a free vehicle history report.
How do you compare the out-the-door price of a new and a used Honda?
Add the same items to a new quote and a used quote, and the real gap shows. Capital City Honda’s online payment calculator accepts a trade-in offer amount, so you can run both numbers before you visit. The sticker price is only part of the cost.
California sales tax is set by location. The CDTFA’s rate table effective 2026 puts the city of Sacramento’s combined sales and use tax rate at 8.750%, against 7.750% for Sacramento County (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, 2026). Put the tax on both quotes, then compare them.
Registration costs are also fixed charges you cannot skip. California’s base vehicle registration fee under Vehicle Code section 9250.1 is $76, and it is billed alongside a separate California Highway Patrol fee of $34 (California Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026). The vehicle license fee is 0.65% of the purchase price or value of the vehicle (California Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026). A higher-priced car pays more in that fee.
A trade-in does not lower your sales tax. CDTFA’s Publication 34 says the trade-in allowance cannot be excluded from the amount on which tax is based. In CDTFA’s example, a car sold for $20,000 with a $4,000 trade-in is taxed on the full $20,000 (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, 2025).
Dealer document charges are capped. Under Vehicle Code section 11713.1, a California dealer’s document processing charge cannot exceed $85 if the dealer has a contractual agreement with DMV to be a private industry partner, and cannot exceed $70 if it does not (California Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual, 3.030, 2026). Ask for that charge on both quotes so the paperwork fees match.
How do you price your trade-in before you shop for a new or used Honda?
You can get an online trade-in offer before you visit. Capital City Honda’s online trade-offer tool takes a license plate, a VIN or year, make and model. You can come in for a trade-in with or without an appointment.
Start with the offer amount and bring it to the calculator. Once you have a trade-in number, you can run the payment math on both the new and the used quote.
Customers who praise the trade-in process describe it in their own words. In a July 2026 Google review, Nelson Z. wrote: “I loved the experience buying my Honda accord with Joanna. She’s been very helpful and caring with my process. I would recommend anyone shopping for a car to come to Joanna.”
What does certified pre-owned add over a regular used Honda?
A certified pre-owned Honda is the middle step between a regular used car and a new one. Honda’s program sets the inspection, eligibility, warranty and roadside terms. A regular used car does not carry those terms.
Under HondaTrue Certified, vehicles from 2021 to 2026 with under 80,000 miles get powertrain coverage of 7 years or 100,000 miles, plus non-powertrain coverage for 2 additional years or up to 100,000 miles, with a 182-point inspection and a $0 deductible on covered repairs (American Honda Motor Co., Inc., 2026). That is the coverage a regular used car does not come with.
Roadside assistance also differs by tier. HondaTrue Certified vehicles are eligible for services for 2 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, beginning after the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires (Honda Certified Pre-Owned warranty booklet, 2026).
What should you check on a used Honda before you buy it?
Get a CARFAX or AutoCheck report and verify the service records. Check the mileage, the accident history and the maintenance history before you test drive. Test the transmission and brakes in stop-and-go traffic, not only on an open road.
Test drives can be booked online or by phone at Capital City Honda. Book one for each used car on your list, so you can compare them on the same route.
What do the new Civic, Accord and CR-V cost and get per gallon?
Each new model has its own starting price, EPA fuel economy and warranty, and Honda publishes all three. For the 2026 model year, the Civic Sedan LX starts at $24,695 and the Civic Hatchback Sport starts at $27,895. The Accord LX starts at $28,395, and the CR-V LX (2WD) starts at $30,920.
The 2026 Civic has a basic warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, and corrosion coverage lasting 5 years with no mileage limit. The 2026 Accord and CR-V carry the same three warranty terms.
Fuel economy varies by trim and drivetrain. The EPA rates the 2026 Accord Hybrid at 51 city, 44 highway and 48 combined. Under 40 CFR part 600, the combined figure is weighted 0.55 for city and 0.45 for highway (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 40 CFR part 600, subpart D).
What financing and lease options can you use on a new or used Honda?
Capital City Honda offers new Honda financing, Honda leases and pre-owned car loans. A secure online finance application lets you start before you visit. Compare the total financing cost of the new and used quotes, because a new-car promotional rate can sometimes beat a used loan.
Experian’s Q3 2025 data shows more than 80 percent of new car buyers financed, compared with roughly 35 percent of used car buyers (Experian, Q3 2025). The financing route you pick changes the total you pay.
New-car promotional interest rates can sometimes make a new Honda a better deal. Compare the total financing cost, not only the sticker price. When a lease ends, you turn the car in at the dealership.
Why Sacramento buyers choose Capital City Honda for a new or used Honda
Capital City Honda is at 3630 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821. The store sells new, used and certified pre-owned Hondas, and offers Honda leases, new Honda financing and pre-owned car loans. Our Google record is 4.5 stars across 3,088 reviews, with 82 in 100 of them five-star.
Certified pre-owned cars get a 172-point inspection and a free vehicle history report. Test drives can be booked online or by phone, and the showroom is open seven days a week.
In an August 2026 Google review, Sacramento P. wrote: “I had a fantastic experience at Cap City Honda, and I especially want to give a big shout-out to Joanna Barcena! She made buying a car feel easy, comfortable, and even fun! Joanna was friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and never pushy. She took the time to listen to what I was looking for and helped me find a car that was a perfect fit. I absolutely LOVE my new-to-me car and couldn’t be happier with my purchase! She was a pleasure to work with from start to finish, and I would definitely recommend her and Cap City Honda to anyone looking for a great car and a great buying experience.”
Start with a secure online finance application, then visit Capital City Honda at 3630 Fulton Ave to compare a new and a certified pre-owned Honda side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reserve a new Honda that is still in transit at Capital City Honda?
Yes. Buyers can reserve an in-transit new vehicle at Capital City Honda, 3630 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821.
Is Capital City Honda open on Sundays?
Yes. The showroom is open seven days a week, with the same sales hours every day, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Sunday.
Does California sales tax apply to the full price when you trade in a car?
Yes. A trade-in does not reduce California sales tax on a dealer vehicle sale. CDTFA’s Publication 34 says the allowance for the trade-in cannot be excluded from the taxable amount (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Publication 34, 2025).
What happens at the end of a Honda lease at Capital City Honda?
You turn the lease vehicle in at the dealership when the contract ends.
Can you sell your car to Capital City Honda without buying one?
Yes. Capital City Honda buys cars through its Sell Us Your Car program.
Do you need an appointment for an oil change after you buy at Capital City Honda?
No. Capital City Honda has dedicated express service lanes with no appointment needed for oil and filter changes, fluid checks, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and repairs, wiper blades, battery testing and replacement, bulbs, and engine and cabin filters.
Capital City Honda answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Sacramento showroom, or call 916-514-4085.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Capital City Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.