Buy new or used?

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
Originally Posted By: rjundi
The Lancer and ANY Chrysler product have horrible resale. You definitely want to buy either used. The cost savings will be significant.

A Honda is pricey if not overpriced in the used market, look real close at new vs used there. Same is true with Toyota.

Personally I don't think I will ever buy a new vehicle again. I will stick to a 2-5 year old model with at least 50% depreciation at that point and hang on for another 5 years and toss it out.







It is almost always a losing proposition. I bought my Corolla in 08 brand new, but I bought it with for 14,000 with a factory rebate. Most importantly, I will be keeping this car for ten years at least, possibly longer. My wife drives this car 11,000 miles a year so 10 years x 11,000 is only 110,000 miles. I will still be able to most likely sell this car very easily with that amount of mileage if she is sick of it, or we'll keep it and go from there.


As the US dollar falls the used car market value of your Corolla will rise.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you're going to get bored of your next car in
Also get an insurance quote on Lancers, it might be high.

 

[wn1998]

Thank you guys for all of your help. We have been car shopping for about 6 months but it looks as though we are going to look for a used domestic and try to save a little money on a 1-2 year old car.

 

[HM12460]

why not get a 2007 up ford focus and just be done with it?

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Saturn_Fan
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
I agree with bepperb's copmments; any dodge or mitsu is a bargain used; a honda wont be. also, if u want the lifetime powertrain warranty, you gotta move qwik, as they are dropping it with the 2010 model year. I've had good luck buying used - altho I try to keep the miles under 20k. many used cars are off-lease units and you'd be suprised how many people dont change the oil on a lease. why should they? its not their car?!?!? I have some friends who bought an 06 ford focus with 40k miles.... and the original oil and filter. the motor puked the 2nd day they had it.

also, even tho has prices are not bad right now, they could jump up if our economy improves. so, give alot of thought to your desire for 4WD. dont get me wrong, its nice, but do you really NEED it? it will cost you in initial cost, lower MPG, higher insurance, higher maintenance....


A Daewoo is a real bargain for the second purchaser. I have seen these go for 6,000 bucks with around 25,000 miles and only a few years old.


If your friends had a half of brain they would have had the Ford
Focus checked out before they bought it..Did they ever check the oil before they bought it...That is the first thing anybody in their right mind would do...You always ask to see service records before buying any used car...A trip to the Ford Dealer [or trusted mechanic] would have saved them a lot of money.

How can anyone recommend a Daewoo [throw away car] to anyone?...They last [if you are lucky] till 30K miles...The Daewoo would most likely die of heat stroke in Miami during rush hour at a very early age...I saw only one Daewoo in Miami and that one was sitting on the side of the road waiting for the Road Ranger.

 

[IndyIan]

I wouldn't automatically discount a daewoo as a khrap car, but I'd make sure you can get parts for it from somewhere else than a dealer... The chevy aveo/wave, optra, are daewoo designs so anything that shares parts with them should have most things available at a parts store.

For the original question of new vs. used, crunch some numbers for yearly cost, like others have said. some cars are great deals new and others make sense buying used.

 

[Liquid_Turbo]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
Thank you guys for all of your help. We have been car shopping for about 6 months but it looks as though we are going to look for a used domestic and try to save a little money on a 1-2 year old car.

Good luck. Don't forget to try craigslist. You might be able to find some good deals, and be able to bargain.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
My wife and I are looking for a new car for her and we are torn. should we buy new or should we save some coin and buy a used car.
We can swing a $275-$300 car payment now but are not sure what may come 2-3 years from now (Kids, layoffs, etc).

We are currently looking at buying a new Mitsu Lancer, Dodge Journey (we like the lifetime power train) or maybe a Honda civic. Our choices are much broader looking for a used car. Used cars we may step up a get something with 4wd to help us with these midwest winters

My wife currently drives 25 miles to work each way so mpg is important.

I am just not sure if saving 5-10k on a used car is worth the potential headaches of buying used.

We have also seen some high mileage used cars and trucks with 100k or more going for peanuts (2002 Impreza with 110k for $5k) might that be a good investment? I am just totally confused.


get a new 4 cylinder camry. built tough as bricks and will last you 15 years plus. and plenty of space ofr your family. fit it with a towbar and get atrailer later on to have some hauling capacity.

 

[Jason2007]

Yeah, every Camry will last atleast 15 years with no problems really makes me laugh. Have you not noticed that Toyota has had more recalls in the last couple years than any of the domestics?

 

[tonycarguy]

If you plan to keep the car forever, buy new. The money you save will be averaged over 15+ years and is not worth the potential of getting a story car.

However, I only keep my cars 3-6 years so I've never bought new. 7 used cars for me and only one was a problem child. I tend to buy 1-4 year old cars and never above 50k miles.

If you buy private party, talk to the owner. If they have documents showing maintenance, great. If not, then talk technical/mechanical stuff to them; a true car buff who maintains his/her car well will know what they're talking about.

 

[labman]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
Thank you guys for all of your help. We have been car shopping for about 6 months but it looks as though we are going to look for a used domestic and try to save a little money on a 1-2 year old car.


A great idea if you can find what you want. Last time we looked, everything used was loaded with trouble prone, gas wasting gadgets including an AT. Take advantage of other's stupidity and pick up a good deal on a domestic. Too many people are living in the 80's.

We ended up buying a new 02 Cavalier and only this year have done anything but wear items which didn't include a timing belt.

 

[Buick92]

I've always thought a 3 year old car that has been rated well for reliabilty is your best buy, for example a 2006 Ford Fusion.

 

[PT1]

If you do buy used make the sale contingent on a check over by an indy mechanic or dealer. I get mine done for $120-150 at a trusted indy shop. Has saved me some serious headaches.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I've found for many years that buying a well-cared-for, near-luxury or luxury car gives you all the perks of higher-end ownership without the price tag.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
I've found for many years that buying a well-cared-for, near-luxury or luxury car gives you all the perks of higher-end ownership without the price tag.

+1

 

[PandaBear]

I think it depends on the state. In CA you have to pay sales tax on a used car and good quality used car don't drop much in value, so IMO buy a good quality affordable car new (i.e. 4 cylinder Accord, Camry, Corolla, Civic, etc) and drive till the wheel fall off is better than changing cars every 3-5 years with questionable past/quality replacement (i.e. GM V6 with LIM problem) .