Are more people buying used cars due to the economy?

[DisneyFix321]

Is it just me or am I noticing more and more older cars on the road. Lately I have been seeing less newer looking cars and more older cars on the road even with new stickers in the back window. So it looks to me like people who use to lease, are now buying used cars. What about where you live?

 

[bicker]

It seems the opposite to me. A lot of the older cars seem to be off the road, whether that's because of the Cash for Clunkers deal, or some other reason, I don't know.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well we only buy used.

I think what you are seeing is people sticking to the car longer than they normally would have in the past.

We are about to list a car for sale on Mon. DH is going to give up his convertible Camaro. We need a winter car and the the convertible doesn't cut it.

 

[golfgal]

We have been looking for a used car and there just aren't many out there. The cash for clunkers thing wiped out the potential inventory for most car dealers so they just don't have much to sell. Around here you don't see many old cars on the road anyway. We are looking for a car that is 5 years old or newer so for the most part you wouldn't know it was "old".

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We have been looking for a used car and there just aren't many out there. The cash for clunkers thing wiped out the potential inventory for most car dealers so they just don't have much to sell. Around here you don't see many old cars on the road anyway. We are looking for a car that is 5 years old or newer so for the most part you wouldn't know it was "old".

Have you checked out Craigslist & AutoTrader? That is where the bulk of the used cars are for sale.

AutoTrader is the "gold standard" to getting a used car however Craigslist has taken a bite out of them.

In fact DH is going to look at a used car this morning he got off of Craigslist. He is going to look at a 2000 Tahoe with 101,000 miles on it.

 

[aprilgail2]

It seems the opposite to me. A lot of the older cars seem to be off the road, whether that's because of the Cash for Clunkers deal, or some other reason, I don't know.

Here too- most people I know are getting nice new hybrids. There are 2 big beautiful brand new car dealerships going up within minutes of my house right now- I believe on is a BMW and the other Audi

I have actually kept the van I am driving right now longer than I have ever kept a car- its a 2003 and for me that is OLD...but I am retiring in a few years and wanted to get the extra money packed into my 401k and daughters college fund so I was enjoying the no car payments for awhile..I think in the next year or 2 I will be getting a new van.

 

[luvmy3]

I see new cars around but I see alot of old ones too. I am the type of person who will buy a car and drive it until it can't be driven anymore. I don't see the point in shelling out 20K + every year so I can drive around in something new. If it gets me from point A to point B, I'm happy. I wonder if due to the economy more and more people feel the same?

 

[LoraJ]

I notice a lot of new cars around, but I think that's because we just purchased a new car so they stick out to me. So many of the Toyota's and Honda's (and others) have been re-designed to look sportier, so they catch my eye. I have friends who bought new cars during cash for clunkers. Someone else I know just bought a used car. It was a Mercedes Benz SUV, probably cost around the same as my new car. So the only person I know who bought a used car lately to save money, is the one who bought my used Corolla.

I have never bought a used car. I just love having a brand new car and being the first to own it. I drive them for around 8 years. I am planning on driving my new Prius for 10.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I only bought one "new" car--the rest of our purchases have all been used.

I guess I notice more "new' cars on the road b/c I wish I could get them. But I don't want those $500 car payments.

 

[turkeymama]

I see new cars around but I see alot of old ones too. I am the type of person who will buy a car and drive it until it can't be driven anymore. I don't see the point in shelling out 20K + every year so I can drive around in something new. If it gets me from point A to point B, I'm happy. I wonder if due to the economy more and more people feel the same?

This is me right now. I'm driving my 2003 Trailblazer at least until I graduate and start teaching next year. DH thinks my graduation present will be a new vehicle. I'd rather drive that truck for another year or two and pay off student loans. THAT would be a good present. Hopefully the truck will last that long for me.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I am thinking of getting something used. My 18 year old van has bit the dust. It didnt qualify for the cash for clunkers, so I was waiting till the dry spell hits and it seems like its starting now. We also bought one of the ds a used car for college communting last summer. I havent started my research to see whats out there, but alot of the dealarships around here have closed, so we will have to go farther to get it and I dont know what the price competition will be etc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am thinking of getting something used. My 18 year old van has bit the dust. It didnt qualify for the cash for clunkers, so I was waiting till the dry spell hits and it seems like its starting now. We also bought one of the ds a used car for college communting last summer. I havent started my research to see whats out there, but alot of the dealarships around here have closed, so we will have to go farther to get it and I dont know what the price competition will be etc.

I do have to ask why people are here afraid of private party cars? You will get a better car and a better price. The bulk of us that shop used cars only use private party.

Now I have bought used from a dealer lots, one being our Yukon we have now and a truck which we no longer have.

Don't sell yourself short and omit looking at AutoTrader and Craigslist is all I am saying.

 

[englishteacha]

We have a '97 Chevy Malibu and a '99 Dodge Dakota. The truck is showing its age but it runs, and the car still has less than 100K miles. We drive our vehicles till they die or are in a major accident. We always buy used cars, anyway.