it hurts daddy when you say that!!
Nope. I bought a 2000 Cherokee Limited for $1600, probably have $2400 into it total now. I learned a lot fixing it up and since so much effort went into it I treat it like a new car. If it breaks, I can fix it, or failing that take it to someone who can. Before that I’ve owned several total POS cars, (plus all of the summer-only classics I play with) that have always been reliable. You just have to know how to pick them. 4 years on a $1500 Accord and I’ve replaced an alternator, brakes, and exhaust, and I’m driving it into the ground as a work car. The Jeep has all I need, but if I wanted something newer I’d buy used, but carefully. And I could buy new if I wanted, but I’d rather spend the money on the house. No offense to those who buy new, I see the appeal, but with the exceptions of certain classics, cars are depreciating assets, and I’d rather go with the ones that depreciate less.
It’s so fucking hard to replace a ball joint or wheel bearing once in a while. Takes less time and hassle to do it myself compared to taking it in to the dealership. Which to me equals more convenient. Oh and selling a car with a lean is less convenient as well. Buy them cash, sell them for more. Can’t do that new.
I bought my truck Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) because it would be silly to buy new and spend much more for the same thing only a few years newer, but at the same time it came from the dealership with a warranty and most everything a new one would have.
It’s a win/win IMO.
Depends on the deal, what/who it’s for, etc. etc.
Example: Alfo MiTo GTA actually comes to the US, I would seriously consider buying it new, to be one of the first with that car, plus at under $30K it’s a pretty cheap car, so no big deal on the “loss” I would take when I sell it. However, new 3 series with the twin turbo V8 comes out, I will wait and let someone else take the hit.
X…
It’s all about opportunity cost. Paying cash for a car when you can get sub-4% financing is stupid. The whole debt-free model is a waste as all it does is get your money eaten by inflation. Investing the money, you can easily pull many times that, and you have liquidity. There’s a reason companies have much more debt than equity on their balance sheets. There are some people who can’t handle debt responsibly, and they probably need to pay cash for everything for their own sake, but for those of us who can manage it properly debt is a very useful tool. Just like 0% for 1 year credit cards. They get enough suckers to live beyond their means that they can screw to make it worthwhile, but they subsidize the rest of us that get interest-free money.
Fuckin A. Totally forgot about that. Thanks Beck/Joe. :tup:
'06-'09 Legacy, Side Impact:
Injury measures:
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity.
'10 Legacy, Side Impact:
Injury measures:
Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.
Sure small potatoes in this case, but just goes to show that even what’s considered a really friggin safe car just gets better. Certainly can’t draw overall conclusions, just saying that sometimes YoY safety changes can make brand new worthwhile.
Have you ever bought a house with a mortgage?
yup, and it will be paid off in a few years. houses are different than cars though. they gain in value. they are like a forced savings account. ive owned my own home for ~7 years.
the debt free model + investing isnt a waste. its always a win-win situation.
Brian
Depends on the car for me.
Bought a tC new a couple years back when they first came out. Like Dex wrote, it’s been worth more than what I’ve owed on it every year that I’ve had it. I probably wouldn’t get $12K for mine as it’s been getting beat up the last two years with people bumping into it. New versus used on that car really isn’t worth the savings. I’d rather have the new one.
If I were buying a truck, I’d buy a used one.
Rabble Rabble Rabble…
Seriously though, I can’t believe people think new cars are a good investment. People buy new cars because they are lazy and stupid. If you’d rather watch TV every night than have to turn a wrench every once in a great while then yes, new cars are perfect for you. They are selling people the peace of mind that their programs won’t be interrupted.
I realize that if you make primo money then you are wasting your time working on your car, but labor rates are $90/hr, and they usually overestimate, so we are talking people that make more than that. Plus car companies are looking to come out a head, so you usually aren’t getting your depreciation’s worth in repairs, and many many cars still look brand new if they are carefully kept clean, which means it is easy to find a car where the wear is practically negligable.
If it weren’t for warranties a lot less people would be buying new.
I would trust a car that is rock solid at 100k over a brand new one because you know the used car isn’t a lemon. Can’t say that about a new car.
You usually aren’t getting your monies worth on a brand new car even compared to a used car that is serviced and repaired by the dealer. So all you have to do is turn a wrench and you come out way ahead.
I am not condeming the purchasing of new cars, but jesus, don’t argue that it is a good investment, or that it is somehow the responsible thing to due.
unfortunately joe, your joke is wasted on me as i havent seen that episode.
nice. heck ive drive some piles over the years and i havent spent all that much time working on them. an hour or two every few months for oil changes and small maintenance items on the daily drivers. i spend time working on the project cars but that is fun time.
Brian
This is why i wont buy a used car unless i know the complete history of the car. Sorry i dont want an SUV that has been hit with a 150shot multiple times
Some of you are so fucking stupid. That is all I am willing to add to this.
good news, you have about 300,000 miles until that pig will give out on you. im currently driving a 92 accord with 392k on the original motor/trans/clutch. lets out high but no slip. 1->2 grind when its cold, not a biggie
bought it from an old lady who had it dealer maintained, im the 2nd owner 
it will be a cold day in hell when i buy a pre-96 car, f obd2 emissions
No, I find new cars boring.
I don’t think anyone here is implying that buying a new car is a good investment. And being a car forum I doubt many people on here are too lazy or stupid to work on their cars. But I have a question for you. When your used car does break down and you can’t get it fixed right away because your waiting on parts or whatever else…how do you get to work? That is the situation that pushed me to buy new. I’m more than capable of wrenching on a car, I did it for many years. But even with the best maintained used cars, things are going to fail at inopportune times. And calling into work because I lack transportation is not an option.
I bought new because I can. Who gives a fuck whether it’s a better investment to go used.
I’d guesstimate that about 88% of the people saying “used is a better investment” don’t have any other investments. They probably don’t even have a 401k.
Buy a new Toyota/Honda over a used one.
Buy a used GMC/Ford over a new one.
/thread.
I’ve never bought a new car, I just put a deposit down for a new car however.
It’s nice to buy something no one else (essentially) has ever sat in, gotten the colors I exactly want, know that it’s going to start up pretty much every time I turn the key for the next couple years, get me to work which is essential. Good investment? No.
But neither is the Grey Goose on the rocks I paid 13 dollars for a couple weekends ago for some girl I didn’t get any from, but you do it anyway.
*post-96
i used to think the same thing, but when my financial situation got better, my mind changed. i still didn’t buy new, but i did venture into the obd2
world.
i would buy new only if financing was super low/free and on the right vehicle.