Does it really make financial sense to buy used over new?

[50yr Street Mech]

Never said they were better. Just said they stole their customer base. H/K lured people in with that 10yr / 100,000k warranty. I worked on H/K's for years. They are junk. No doubt about it. But, they dragged Honda down. That's what ticks me off. Honda was GREAT !!!!!! Honda use to be one of those cars or trucks you never had to worry about. Just do the maintenance, and you were good for 300-400k. An old friend of mine had a 1988 Acura. 850k on it. No problems. Until a tree fell on it one day. He was heartbroken.

 

[tbm5690]

The consumer is somewhat to blame for the overall decrease in quality. Average Joe doesn't want to keep the same car for more than 4-5 years, and it seems that 100k now is the new 200k for the mileage where cars are seen as "too used". Point is, reliable or not the masses dump their vehicles for new ones much more often now so why should a manufacturer care about longevity?

 

[MCompact]

Definitely not true.

80's Japanese cars have a certain smell to them that I love.

I feel the same way about 70’s BMWs.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Not buying that. The auto industry is producing garbage. How many different manufacturer's have fuel/oil dilution because of GDI ???? That's happening right off the floor of the dealership. Poor quality control, or they just don't care anymore. " We know the fuel is mixing with the oil. The hell with it. Mass produce it " The Ford Ecoboost with the timing belt swimming in oil....put it out there ! Manufacturer's just don't care any more.

 

[tbm5690]

Not buying that. The auto industry is producing garbage. How many different manufacturer's have fuel/oil dilution because of GDI ???? That's happening right off the floor of the dealership. Poor quality control, or they just don't care anymore. " We know the fuel is mixing with the oil. The hell with it. Mass produce it " The Ford Ecoboost with the timing belt swimming in oil....put it out there ! Manufacturer's just don't care any more.

Not arguing that these aren't issues, but the average consumer doesn't care, in part because the average consumer has no idea what fuel dilution, GDI, or a timing belt is. As long as the 12" infotainment screen works on the test drive it's good enough.

 

[MaximumMini]

Agreed. Modern consumers are about as bad as the junk they over pay for.
GM is so cheap now, they skip BASIC mechanical common sense items, you know, like slots and keys on crankshafts (WTH???)
They just press them on. But people need the status and image so they will hock themselves neck deep in debt to drive that brand new $65,000 pickup.

And those "extended warranties"...yeah...good luck when you need it.
those warranties were designed to make more profit for the vendor....not waste it on your problems.

 

[The motor guy]

Given the option....
I'd rather have a dependable old vehicle parked in front of my beautiful mansion, and be able to afford any car I want........
Than have an $80k new vehicle parked outside my mobile home while I struggle to make ends meet.
(No offense intended if you happen to be the latter)
Just me.
ymmv

The skirt covering the wheels makes it an official house. I am offended

 

[MaximumMini]

The skirt covering the wheels makes it an official house. I am offended

As long as you also financed those skirts its all good

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Then the average consumer wouldn't be buying new then. That just tells me they can afford a new car,,,,or can afford the extra note a month...I can't afford either one.... Good for them. I buy " New Car Scent" little tree air freshners. That's about as far as I get. Like I said, you got $$$$, go buy 7 cars, one for each day of the week...More power to ya !

 

[3GTL300k]

I've have two old vehicles and one of them is described in my screen name. When one of them dies or gets totaled by a deer or someone hitting me, I'm going to buy a new car. I'll probably get a new Camry or Corolla Hybrid and keep it until it fails. Saving a few grand on a 2-3 year old used one doesn't make sense to me. I'd rather have it new and maintain it the way I want.