New Car or Used (improved)

[Sabine]

I haven''t been able to buy brand new yet, and don''t know if I will. With my last purchase, I bought a car that was "almost brand new" with very few miles and almost all of it''s warranty left. To me, that is probably ideal, either that or a new car that has come down in price because the new version of the car has about to/just came out because you get most of the perks of new without it losing quite as much value because it''s already come down from brand new status.

 

[Lynnie]

I voted used. My car is 17 years old, and it suprisingly hasn''t kicked the bucket yet (knock on wood).
If I had unlimited funds, of course I''d buy new. But I don''t, so previously loved it is!

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 7/13/2009 4:56:16 AM
Author: Lorelei
Only ever bought one new car, doubt I would do it again. I prefer preowned in great condition.

Ditto. My one new car was the biggest lemon of them all (Land Rover Freelander)... I ditched it a few days before the 3 yr. warranty was up after it had left me beside the road three times, once a thousand miles from home (took 3 weeks to be fixed & had to be flat-bed-trucked back). OY. And the car itself was pulled from production, so it wasn''t just mine. I didn''t have the heart to sell it privately, so I traded it to a dealer who''d have to guarantee it -- but, sure enough, it was scrap metal just nine months later (according to Car Fax). I feel better knowing its not leaving a 16 yr. old girl stranded on a dark highway late at night. SHUDDER.

We replaced it with my ''05 RAV4 that was a year old w/only 8K miles on it at the time. That was three years ago now & its been a champ so far. DH is about to take delivery on a fully pimped out ''06 Prius w/just 35K miles that''s not much more than the two cars he''s trading/selling for various reasons. One is valued so low that he''s basically giving it to a friend who needs a car badly. The other is a mint condition Miata he thought he''d always keep as a "fun car" -- but it isn''t so fun anymore. (Northeast weather, mid age spread) But that''s the one with the real value toward the trade ... so, gotsta do whatcha gotsta do. I was angling toward a less pimped ''08 Prius but DH really wanted some "toys" to make parting with his baby a bit easier. Eh, its *his* car. At least maybe he''ll leave MINE alone now. (He NEVER EVER EVER wanted to drive either of his -- we''ll see how THIS move shakes down). Will be saving some in insurance & maint & gas too ... we hope.

One thing I''ll NEVER do again is buy a first model year car. I believe what I read in Consumer Reports. I shun the cute-but-low-rated VWs & Audis & Minis and embrace Toyota & Honda & (in my dreams Acura & Lexus

).

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/13/2009 4:56:16 AM
Author: Lorelei
Only ever bought one new car, doubt I would do it again. I prefer preowned in great condition.

yep,same here my Brit gf unless i hit the lottery.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I bought a new Crossfire a couple years ago, got ripped off and had no idea, then took a huge pay cut at work that made me have to return it and ruin my credit.

Needless to say, I do NOT buy new unless I have an enormous down payment anymore. I am all about used cars now. My husband is handy, and my dad and brother can fix almost any car. So I''m good lol.