No hard and fast rules. I do whatever makes the most sense at the time.

My last two cars have been new. The price of the new vehicle, after being negotiated, was more favorable than purchasing a used one.

I used to be in the "let someone else take the depreciation hit" camp, but not necessarily anymore. Now I look at total cost of ownership, including negotiated prices, maintenance, wear item replacement, resale, and the time value of money.

I come prepared to pay cash, and take financing if advantageous. I pay the maximum portion allowable on cash back credit card, and may even open a new credit card to use the car payment as part of the minimum spend required for credit card bonuses.

I've had a lot of new cars that I've either leased or bought. I stopped leasing in 2010. Anyways, I buy a new car with exactly the options I want and I drive it a very long time. My last vehicle was a new 2008 expedition I got in 12/07. I traded it in, in June 2018 so almost 11 years.

My second car was a new car a 1978 Cutlass Supreme Brougham
$7,300, many new and used since.

Had five new cars and two new motorcycles starting in 1967.

I worked in new car dealership parts departments up until 2017 when I retired. The first four were GM products, all pre-bankruptcy vehicles. After the bankruptcy/reorganization and their dropping their small SUV line I went to FCA and bought a Jeep.

Two new motorcycles, a 1967 Suzuki and a 1967 BSA Lightning (1968). All others were used.

Two Tahoes: 2015 and 2018. Both ordered from out of state dealers. Pleased with both. Not sure if I'll do it again next year when the new body style Tahoe comes out. I bought a used 911 on January and would be more inclined to buy a newer (but not new) one of those.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DaBigBR,

quote:

Originally posted by Chance228:
I am 41 yo....my current vehicle, specifically a Toyota Tacoma, was my first new car purchase. Decision being that the Certified Pre-Owned ones with 40K miles were only a few thousand dollars cheaper. That, coupled with a great rate from my bank, made the decision easy.

This, except a GMC Sierra crew cab.

For lesser equipped trucks, with 45-70k miles, after lesser trade in value and higher interest rates, the total package deal was $43/ month (including insurance costs) HIGHER than my brand new one was.

It was really a no-brainer at that point.

Never have. And unless something amazing happens, like I win the lottery that I don't actually play, I probably never will.

Many new cars. AND many used cars.

Never happy with used cars because of things that don't work or are wore out. And repairs+payments do not add up to much savings.

New cars, which we keep maintained faithfully, do not give us any repair problems. I put about 50,000 miles per year on the new cars and by the time they are paid off, they are ready to retire.

Hopefully, I will never have to buy another used car. They are a money hole.

Only once in 1984, then I figured out the hit you take in the fist year. From that time on I've bought one or two year old low mileage vehicles.

My first brand new car was a 1966 VW Beetle ($2,475 out the door). My second was a 1970 BMW 2002. The Beetle was stolen after about 3 months. This was in SoCal, so I'm sure it ended up as a dune buggy.
That little Beemer, out of the 30 or so cars I've owned, is the only one I wish I still had.

1969 Plymouth Roadrunner ordered from the factory. Had 3 miles on it when it arrived at the dealer. $3,600.

PC

I've bought 4 new cars. Paid with cash in short order like 2 weeks at most.

My thinking was I knew the maintenance history and I always get it with the intent of getting to at least 300,000. Closest I got was 250,000 miles.

My last one, I didn't want to pay the premium for a new car so I bought a 2 year old SUV.

Lots of new cars over 46 years of marriage. First one was a 1976 Toyota Land-cruiser and the most recent is a 2019 Honda Passport.

Cars I’ve had that were brand new:

- 2006 Acura RSX Type-S
- 2011 Volkswagen GTI
- 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
- 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
- 2018 GMC Yukon Denali (current daily driver)

I get bored easily.

I have purchased two new Harleys, one new S-10 Blazer, one new Envoy, and one new F-150.

I have also purchased more more than 30 used cars and motorcycles, both low miles (near new) and vintage/classic.

But, I am also a mechanic/machinist and have the benefit of being able to purchase used vehicles that are a good value to me, so they skews my response from the OP.

All that said, a good condition used vehicle, that has a good "track history" with low mileage and not too many years is the best value, as you can still have it serviced and repaired for less money than a vehicle that might be older and parts availability as well as service centers not having the ability to perform necessary maintenance.

If you do your homework and find the best model that has the best longevity as well as the least needed maintenance, with regard to costing and parts, then, it may be to your advantage to go that route. On the other hand, a new vehicle can be a better value if you keep it for 10 or more years, and 200-300K miles.

Most of my "new" vehicles reached hundreds of thousands of miles and were "daily" drivers that I also made trips over multiple states (thousands of miles) without worry of being stranded.

Hope that helps.

I’ve had several new cars. My most recent buy is a ‘17 Tundra with 29k on it.
(A CPO vehicle so it comes with a warranty on top of the remaining factory warranty)

If the vehicle has a solid reputation as a quality car/truck, buying used is no problem for me.

I finally broke down and bought a new Totyota 3 weeks ago. First new car . The others have been low mileage second owner.

Sold my Tacoma of 19 years and 368,000K miles on her. She still runs like a champ. We've been to many places together. Good memories. It's been a week and I miss her terribly.

I think it depends on how you do it. I buy vehicles and run them into the ground unless something drastic happens so for me, I buy new. I have a buddy who changes cars like underwear so it makes sense for him to lease or buy used.

Last year I bought a new ram 1500 and had it custom built from the factory. Got a great deal on it and it's decked out precisely the way I want. It's still my happy place a year later. It replaced a Silverado that was great and had turned 11 but the family grew and I needed more leg room for the kids and to haul all our stuff. Like I said I buy to be the only owner so for me I think it's a solid investment. Spend wisely but remember, you can't take it with you.

All my cars through the years have been new. Not that I wouldn't consider used and do understand and appreciate the value there. My dilemma has always been that when I decide on a car or SUV, I want it spec'd exactly how I want it down to every small detail. It would have been near impossible to find cars optioned the way I want them over the years so I typically special order my cars and have them built for me. The only exception being the Lexus and Acura's I've owned which come basically with or without large option packages so they're much easier to dealer swap and get what you want. I also tend to keep my cars well past 100k miles and around 8 years plus so buying new and not leasing has been what has worked for me.

Just for me and not rest of the family, I’ve had 10 new vehicles. That is in the past, and now I will only get used from now on.