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Author Topic: new car vs. late model used car Post a Reply Back to Topics
bowler93

All-Star Author
Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Aug 16, 2011 12:17:26 PM

I have heard that the value of a new car depreciates greatly once it is driven off the lot. That being said, when I get my next primary vehicle (not just an old beater to drive around town in), I will probably get a late-model used car. What do you usually buy? What are you planning on buying next time you are in the market for a car?
REPLIES (newest first)
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mnrick041
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 4:49:11 PM

It depends on the moment. At some times if there are good rebates out there you can get certain new cars for a lower price than the same car that is a year or two old.

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kawasaki8000
Sophomore Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 2:50:00 PM

Both
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Hemond
Champion Author Providence

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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 2:30:44 PM

I'd rather have an old car as a daily driver. You couldn't pay me enough to have a new car. Talk about money pits.


Something classic like an early '90 Mercedes or a Caddy or a Jeep.

Or an unusual sports car from the 80's like a Fiero, a Grand National.

Or just a clean basic econobox like an old Sentra/Corolla...
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psm80134
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 12:53:18 PM

I like buying Certified Pre-Owned. You still get the benefit of a warranty, but the previous owner or lease-holder took the big hit in depreciation.
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bluenvoy
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Mar 2, 2012 6:49:18 AM

New. I like the warranties.
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MudNutZ
All-Star Author Mississippi

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 7:36:48 PM

Last time I bought one, it was about 3 years old.
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reb4
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 7:34:41 PM

buy new, but have bought low mileage newer makes.

Last 2 cars replaced one was 1999 which we handed down to son (we bought replacement in 2009), and replaced 2002 with 2010. hoping we can last another 10 years....
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KentuckyWildcat
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 2:34:14 PM

I make sure the car is less than five years old and low mileage
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14smoke
Champion Author Birmingham

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 2:25:20 PM

I have bought my last new car to be honest with you. I'm looking right now at a low mileage 2006 car. I don't personally care how old the car is, I care how it was used/abused.
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kellyoneal
Champion Author Louisville

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 10:21:38 AM

buy one 2 years old
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Alexi7
All-Star Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 6:37:05 AM

I prefer 2,3 year-old cars. Let someone else take the depreciation hit. However...we bought the Pontiac G6 new with that Cash For Clunkers deal and the Traverse was tagged with a whopper employee(son's father-in-law) discount. On the lookout for a V-6 Accord in a couple years.
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dal1
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 6:07:55 AM

a used auction car - probably in 2000's Ford or Chevy!
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DasAuto92
Champion Author Montreal

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Message Posted: Aug 27, 2011 10:45:23 AM

It comes down to the make, model, and year your looking for.I'm a '90's guy and tend to have a soft spot for 1990-92 MKII Golfs/GTI.
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PapaHomer
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 6:30:22 PM

Depends on the mileage and price.
Last car had 10K on it...not bad.
Prior to that had bought new.
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WEPSMAN
Champion Author South Dakota

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Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 6:09:32 PM

Depends. I have gone both ways. I prefer new since you know you have a warranty to fall back on. You just never know what you are getting into with used.
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yodudebc
Champion Author Vancouver

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Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 5:30:31 PM

I always bought used, but I recently rethought this policy. A good used car at its half-life (100-150k) sells for about half the price on a new car of the same model. This is in Vancouver.

Hmmm. Do I want to pay for the first half of a car's life or the last half?
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bluenvoy
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 6:10:59 AM

I buy new. But to each his or her own.
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58salty
Champion Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 5:24:24 AM

Used, let someone else pay that 5 grand it depreciates when it leaves the lot. Get the carfax
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14smoke
Champion Author Birmingham

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Message Posted: Aug 16, 2011 3:39:56 PM

A lot of that depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. If you're keeping the car for the foreseeable future, then buying new won't kill you.

However, if your plans are only to keep the car for a relatively short period of time(say 2 to 3 years), then you might want to look at late model used and let someone else take the initial depreciation.

I'm looking at 5 to 6 years old for my next car personally.
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