Do you buy new, used, or very well used cars?

[soccerdad72]

Our last few cars have been dealer models, so used, but with like 5,000 miles or so.

The car my younger son really wanted, which he did all the research on and found for sale, was a 2012 Mazda Speed3, but was fairly low miles (under 100k)

 

[Aimeedyan]

Both! Whichever is the best deal at the time.

My two last cars have been 1 year old, still with warranty, and very low miles. They were $15-$20k less than the brand new model on the lot so it made sense. Shopping for used certainly does take more time, or it does if you're picky like me. Just gotta decide how much your time is worth, I suppose. I grew frustrated at the car search recently and went with the one my DH liked and regretted it - literally - as we were driving off the lot. Expensive lesson learned!

There is something really nice about buying a brand new car, though

 

[emily nicole]

I suspect we aren't as wealthy as many on the DIS. We buy our cars very well used and for cash to avoid car notes. My husband drives a 2006 model that's still in great condition. Mine is a 2009 and it's still in immaculate condition. We feel cars are just something to get us from point A to point B and don't feel they need to be luxurious. Maintenance is key (we also stick to Toyota! lol)

 

[RedAngie]

Only new, and I only buy locally, and only for cash. I keep cars long enough that the initial depreciation is of no concern to me. And nothing expensive. I don’t want or need a car over $30K. Maybe I’ll go to 35K for my next car.

I can’t imagine buying a car from 500 miles away, or even 50. Maybe 25 miles tops.

DH has purchased both new and gently used. He financed his current car because of some great incentive the dealer had at the time, but paid off the balance a few months later.

I used to receive a leased company car every two years, but that stopped in 2015 when I changed positions and a car was not part of the compensation for that job.

 

[mrodgers]

My answer is... yes.

I would by new, old, very old, whatever depending on what it is, how much it is, and what I need and need said vehicle for.

I would buy anything with 100,000 miles from Toyota over anything brand new off the showroom floor in Ford, GM, or Dodge. My goal was always the better car a few years old for the price of the new one I could afford.

 

[Darcy03231]

We buy one to two year old cars and then drive them until the costs of repairs are more than the value of the car. Right now we have a 1987 Corvette Roadster, 2007 Jeep Commander and 2108 Jeep Renegade.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I’d say half and half. New and 2 to 3 years old used, but nothing older than that.

My kids got our or parents/in laws hand-me-downs to start.

 

[aprilgail]

I have only ever purchased new cars since i was 19 years old. I don't want to buy someone elses headache!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I have only ever purchased new cars since i was 19 years old. I don't want to buy someone elses headache!

People swap cars all the time. They don't always get rid of a car because something is wrong with it. Keep in mind new cars can absolutely have issues with them and be your headache to deal with.

None of the vehicles my in-laws (which have been numerous over the 15 years I've known them) have sold back have had issues wrong with them save the Explorer that was rear-ended. All the other ones they just get bored too quickly with vehicles.

My dad used to usually lease vehicles so every 3 years he'd get a new vehicle. Nothing wrong with it just didn't want to purchase it at the end of the lease.

 

[aprilgail]

People swap cars all the time. They don't always get rid of a car because something is wrong with it. Keep in mind new cars can absolutely have issues with them and be your headache to deal with.

None of the vehicles my in-laws (which have been numerous over the 15 years I've known them) have sold back have had issues wrong with them save the Explorer that was rear-ended. All the other ones they just get bored too quickly with vehicles.

My dad used to usually lease vehicles so every 3 years he'd get a new vehicle. Nothing wrong with it just didn't want to purchase it at the end of the lease.

When i leased cars I beat the crap out of them so I would never want to buy one of my old leased cars! If its a new car at least everything is covered by warranty.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

When i leased cars I beat the crap out of them so I would never want to buy one of my old leased cars! If its a new car at least everything is covered by warranty.

I can totally see that, similar to rental car vehicles you can purchase. Although my dad and just about everyone else I know aren't like that, save for sometimes my dad would go over the mileage agreement.

The point being a used car does not mean someone had issues and wanted to get rid of it. A new car can have issues too. Covered by warranty doesn't help if the car is in the shop more than you are driving it. I swear my sister-in-law has a courtesy car more than her actual car. Besides it's not like you actually want to have issues arise just to be able to say you have a warranty--it's still a headache to get it in the shop and wait potentially weeks to months for it to get fixed.

And also right now and probably for the next year or so used vehicles on lots were purchased a lot because dealerships were wanting vehicles to be able to sell. Most everyone I knew that had a car between 1-3 years old (and def. older) was hounded for their cars to be bought back. People just saw that they could get quite a lot of money out of selling their cars.

 

[aprilgail]

I

And also right now and probably for the next year or so used vehicles on lots were purchased a lot because dealerships were wanting vehicles to be able to sell. Most everyone I knew that had a car between 1-3 years old (and def. older) was hounded for their cars to be bought back. People just saw that they could get quite a lot of money out of selling their cars.

I had my old 2009 honda civic that my daughter used before she went to college just sitting in front of my house- A/C didn't work, paint peeling off everywhere and when the demand for used cars skyrocketed 2 years ago I sold that old wreck for 3,500!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I had my old 2009 honda civic that my daughter used before she went to college just sitting in front of my house- A/C didn't work, paint peeling off everywhere and when the demand for used cars skyrocketed 2 years ago I sold that old wreck for 3,500!

Yeah it's crazy. That being said a 2009 with obvious issues sold in 2022 chances are your 2009 went to the scrap yard for metal or a pick n pull place. But a dealership can still make money off the old cars even if they don't put them on the lots.

My 2002 wouldn't be sold to anyone at a dealership but they could still get something out of it on their end. It's a good car (because there's a lot on the road) for parts and when it comes to repairs parts were hard to find for quite a while.

 

[kymom99]

I can totally see that, similar to rental car vehicles you can purchase. Although my dad and just about everyone else I know aren't like that, save for sometimes my dad would go over the mileage agreement.

The point being a used car does not mean someone had issues and wanted to get rid of it. A new car can have issues too. Covered by warranty doesn't help if the car is in the shop more than you are driving it. I swear my sister-in-law has a courtesy car more than her actual car. Besides it's not like you actually want to have issues arise just to be able to say you have a warranty--it's still a headache to get it in the shop and wait potentially weeks to months for it to get fixed.

And also right now and probably for the next year or so used vehicles on lots were purchased a lot because dealerships were wanting vehicles to be able to sell. Most everyone I knew that had a car between 1-3 years old (and def. older) was hounded for their cars to be bought back. People just saw that they could get quite a lot of money out of selling their cars.

A number of new cars we had gave us nothing but headaches. I had a 1989 Tercel. My first ever new car. Lots of issues with oil leaks. My husbands brand new dodge intrepid. In the shop more than out. We unloaded it before the warranty was up. Our 1997 Camry had costly issues like water pump at 40k. Covered by warranty but left me stranded. Suspension issues snd oil issues. We’ve also had some crappy used cars but the ones we bought almost new have been great.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

A number of new cars we had gave us nothing but headaches. I had a 1989 Tercel. My first ever new car. Lots of issues with oil leaks. My husbands brand new dodge intrepid. In the shop more than out. We unloaded it before the warranty was up. Our 1997 Camry had costly issues like water pump at 40k. Covered by warranty but left me stranded. Suspension issues snd oil issues. We’ve also had some crappy used cars but the ones we bought almost new have been great.

Right but again the point was discussing a default assumption of not wanting someone's headache. No one could deny used cars can be given up because it was too much hassle. But no one should deny that isn't always the case or that new is going to absolve you of issues either and a lot of people point towards warranties of new cars like they are bullet proof. Buy new buy used do whatever you feel you want to do

 

[Stratman50th]

We buy new. We will typically keep a car for 11-12 years. I had a 2011 Tahoe which was ok but I just didn't love. Just traded it in on a new Sierra pickup. We towed the Tahoe, and will tow the Sierra behind our motorhome. We wanted the pickup so we could carry our golf cart in the bed.
I had a 2003 Silverado pickup which I bought new in 03. I gave that to my daughter when I bought the Tahoe. She still has it.
My wife has an 2005 Toyota Camry which we bought new. It's still her daily driver.

 

[kymom99]

I suspect we aren't as wealthy as many on the DIS. We buy our cars very well used and for cash to avoid car notes. My husband drives a 2006 model that's still in great condition. Mine is a 2009 and it's still in immaculate condition. We feel cars are just something to get us from point A to point B and don't feel they need to be luxurious. Maintenance is key (we also stick to Toyota! lol)

I know what you mean. I’m not wealthy either. I just pray for a reliable car that gets me home every day.

 

[Jml813]

I've done both used low mileage usually dealer demo or courtesy cars or new only if I can get a deal that I like. Otherwise, I'm happy to drive my paid for car until I start having issues.

 

[JLTraveling]

Generally late model, low mileage used. I can't see the point of taking the depreciation on a new car. That said, my first car was a vintage 1985 bright yellow Chevy Cavalier with manual transmission and no power steering that my parents had owned since it was new. It was a great first car: like my dad said, once I could drive that thing, I could drive anything. And the headliner was falling down--pinning it up with safety pins perfectly fitted my goth aesthetic, especially when I took an old Kermit the Frog doll, put safety pins and electrical tape all over it, and hung it from the rearview mirror. The car had air conditioning when I got it, till I took a bump driving way too fast and sheared off the air condition block. Wasn't worth the cost to repair. Even after I moved on, my parents kept that thing as a workhorse/spare. Still ran great after we got the total value (not much at that point) from the insurance company due to a damaged axle. Never had a bit of trouble mechanically until it finally threw a rod and had to be trashed at a little over 300K miles.

 

[kdonnel]

We towed the Tahoe, and will tow the Sierra behind our motorhome. We wanted the pickup so we could carry our golf cart in the bed.

You must get amazing gas mileage.