S/O from car purchasing thread... New or Used?

[leebee]

My 2015 Kia Soul was in a bumper accident in December, but the airbags engaged so the insurance company totaled it. It was in great shape, 83K miles, and we'd planned on driving it for a while more. Oh well... I finally got the insurance check and now we are looking for a replacement vehicle, and we want another Soul. I really liked it, and it served our needs well. My question is, new or used? I know that new cars lose value immediately and cost a bit to register for the first few years (we have excise tax in our state). However, right now we are looking at cars that are 3-5 years old, with 35K-64K miles on them, for $20,000-$18,000 (out the door, everything included, tax and dealer prep/doc fees/title fee). However, we have an offer for a brand new 2025 Soul for $23,000. We are torn... is it worth the additional $3000 for a newer car, full warranty, no mileage, or should we go with the 2022 with 35K miles for $20K? [We have driven this car and there is a slight vibration in the front passenger side. Dealership says it's because of new tires all around, new rear brakes, and the local road. I am not sure...].

Opinions? Suggestions?

 

[monsterkitty]

For that price difference, I say buy new. The warrantee alone is worth the difference. Especially if you are unsure of the vibration issue on the used car.

 

[sam_gordon]

I agree. I'm usually a big advocate for used, but that price difference is really small. That being said, are you comparing apples to apples? Is the $23k for the new the "out the door price" (which the used ones are)? If not, you need to find out what's going to get added on.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Are you able to take it to a third party mechanic to assess the vibration on the used one? That would concern me. I know used car prices are high, but I still have a hard time justifying a price like that for something that already has 35k miles.

For the price difference, I would likely buy new. The warranty and some of the other perks that go with new would make it worth it to me for that price difference. I think Kia also covers your first handful of oil changes/basic maintenance visits. Those are usually around $90-130, so you can deduct that from the $3,000 difference.

 

[HopperFan]

That vibration and other repairs might end up costing you $3000 the first couple years. That is too small a difference for a new one with warranty. I'd buy the new.

 

[kdonnel]

I am a new car snob. Up until recently I had never bought a used car.

My son was in an accident a few months back that like you totaled a car that had lots of life left in it. We started shopping and found a dealer loaner with 4000 miles on it and got caught up in the heat of the moment and bought it.

While I know I got a great deal, and the car is practically new, part of me wishes I had paid the extra $5000 and bought new.

 

[soccerdad72]

While we have leaned towards buying used more often these days, I agree with others in saying that for that small of a difference (relatively speaking) I'd probably buy new in your case.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

brand new 2025 Soul for $23,000. We are torn... is it worth the additional $3000 for a newer car, full warranty, no mileage, or should we go with the 2022 with 35K miles for $20K?

Absolutely worth the extra. Full warranty timeframe/mileage, probably better financing options.

We have driven this car and there is a slight vibration in the front passenger side. Dealership says it's because of new tires all around, new rear brakes, and the local road.

Walk away! I work at a used car lot. We purchase our vehicles through dealer auctions. There are reasons people trade in stuff, odd stuff that is either overlooked or unknown. And don't rely on carfax report - non claimed repairs don't show. What you describe doesn't match their explanation.

NEW

 

[disneychrista]

I always buy new. I just like the peace of mind that there is a full warranty and that there isn’t some issue that caused the previous owner to trade it in.

I also keep cars 10-15 years. I just got a new 2024. My precious car was a 2014 with about 75,000 miles on it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Something else I thought of that you didn't mention @leebee, make sure you're taking the various trim levels into comparison. Is the 3 year old the "top of the line" model vs the new one being a "base" model?

Looking at the Kia page, a new Soul LX has an MSRP of around $22K. An EX is around $27K.

Just another puzzle piece.

 

[MICKIMINI]

leebee, buy the new one! For 3K you have no worries for many years. We have been buying new for decades and have not replaced a single tire or brakes in that time. Regular oil changes and tire rotations are it. We keep the cars garaged and clean so we get top dollar when we trade.

You are not squandering money or getting caught up in the moment. It is a mature decision. You never know what surprises you will get with used such as hidden damage or engine issues. In three years, your new car will still have value. In three years your new "used" car not so much.

We purchased a used car about 25 years ago. I drove it home and the turbocharger fell out. Last used we bought.

BUY NEW!!

 

[jimmymc]

I think $3000 is easily worth it for 35k fewer miles and the full warranty.

I think it's usually worth it to buy a commuter/everyday car new. Something like a second car or truck I would probably buy used.

 

[evilmommie]

Used and pay cash.

 

[cabanafrau]

IMO the uncertainty you feel is your intuition telling you something. For my money the 3k difference is peanuts when comparing new to used. Used cars haven't been the bargain they traditionally might have been since the past five-ish years when the market inflated.

In full transparency, we drive our vehicles until we wring the last bit of reasonable life out of them.

 

[sam_gordon]

leebee, buy the new one! For 3K you have no worries for many years. We have been buying new for decades and have not replaced a single tire or brakes in that time. Regular oil changes and tire rotations are it. We keep the cars garaged and clean so we get top dollar when we trade.

Tires and brakes are wear items. If you haven't had to replace them for decades, you're either replacing the car before they get worn down or you're not driving very much.

Granted, a used car will have used the tires and brakes, but you can often save enough in the purchase price to replace them so they're "new".

 

[Mouse Tracker]

new tires all around, new rear brakes, and the local road

"new" tires don't have issues, "How" are you feeling this vibration- through the steering wheel? Through the seat? Could be any number of things. Rear brakes shouldn't cause front end vibrations. Brake vibrations are felt while engaging them, going down the road ain't them. Blaming the road? not buying it. You drove on the same road getting there in a different car - no vibration?.

Look at how the lines match up between fender/hood/doors/bumper. Observe the plastic pieces in wheel well, under front end. look for signs of "new" parts or markings.

 

[Kitty 34]

I am a new car snob. Up until recently I had never bought a used car.

My son was in an accident a few months back that like you totaled a car that had lots of life left in it. We started shopping and found a dealer loaner with 4000 miles on it and got caught up in the heat of the moment and bought it.

While I know I got a great deal, and the car is practically new, part of me wishes I had paid the extra $5000 and bought new.

The bolded is also me and DH since '95. We might not get a new car after 8 to 10 years but when we do it's new.

 

[Darcy03231]

We almost never buy new, but in your case with such a small price difference I would buy the new one.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Tires and brakes are wear items. If you haven't had to replace them for decades, you're either replacing the car before they get worn down or you're not driving very much.

Granted, a used car will have used the tires and brakes, but you can often save enough in the purchase price to replace them so they're "new".

We have been buying new for decades (every 5 years), not keeping for decades.

 

[Meriweather]

Always, always new.
I like to know what has been going on with the car inside and out.

DH buys used vans for his wood stuff.....I don't ride in it