Do you believe in the new car every time route or used? Base model or loaded? (F150, insurance)

[UpstateJohn]

Depends. Im not paying 5 grand less for something with 75000 miles on it when I can get new.

[JONOV]

Different Strokes, and it depends on the car or truck too...

Regarding "fully loaded," I think it depends what that means.

Some things aren't likely to malfunction and even if they do, don't "require" replacement if you don't want to. Heated seats come to mind.

Other things, are going to be much more frustrating, like an LCD display that has gremlins and is expensive to fix.

[Ziggy100]

I try and buy cars that hold their value. The fully loaded top trim levels usually hold value the best assuming you got a good deal when it was new. I see cars as a perpetual expense like groceries. If I don't like a car anymore, I trade it in. If I like the car after it's paid off, I keep saving that payment for the next car. There's a lot of cars I want and I can't own them all at the same time.

[Badger]

I just read an article in the Sunday paper that said the average price on a used vehicle is now just over $20,000 !!!

I was astonished. I simply can't believe that. For a little more you could get a nice , one-level-up from base Sedan, but then again, nobody seems to be buying sedans anymore. Maybe that's why that price is so high, second hand trucks and SUVs.


My car is 14 years old, bought new with currently just under 140K miles on it, I hope to put another 100K on it but I must be an outlier.


if you buy a new car and hold on to it there shouldn't be any guilt. Reading this thread I'm kind of amazed how often people buy a new car. I will say the safety upgrades today are really great.

[BrianGC]

My last two cars (2018 and 2010) have been new. I like to keep my cars from cradle to the grave (200-300k miles or beyond). Mid-level trim - enough to get a sunroof and upgraded stereo. However, both cars have had cloth seats to my delight.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by UpstateJohn

Depends. Im not paying 5 grand less for something with 75000 miles on it when I can get new.

I paid $44,000 less for something with 70,000 miles on it. Did you mean 7500 miles? Maybe 750?

[MadManofBethesda]

I usually buy new and I usually buy "fully loaded" (if by that, you mean the top trim). I've bought three new cars in the last 6 years:

2012 Jaguar XJL Portfolio
2014 Jaguar XJL Portfolio
2019 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport

And I'm not one to wait until the end of the model year in order to get a better deal. In fact, I was so anxious to get my latest vehicle, I flew from Miami to DC a little over a week ago to purchase it because it is not available for sale yet anywhere in the state of Florida, and Virginia was the closest location that had the car I wanted in the color that I wanted.

And to the person earlier in the thread who said that it was insane to spend more than $12k for a car and that although she'd love to have a new Lexus or Mercedes, she loves her money more, the only thing I can tell you is that I'm sure your heirs will be happy that you thought that way. Maybe they'll be the ones to enjoy driving a new luxury automobile with all the money you refused to spend on yourself.

[STLgaltoo]

New...one trim up from base.

[don1945]

Last time I bought a new car was in 1986, and generally have bought a used Cadillac as my daily driver for years and years. I let the first owner take the depreciation hit, and end up with a low mileage, clean car for a fraction of the original price.


I also tend to keep my cars for years and years, I just get attached to them and maintain them. My current one owes me nothing, and I have no plans to replace it anytime soon.

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

I usually buy new and I usually buy "fully loaded" (if by that, you mean the top trim). I've bought three new cars in the last 6 years:

2012 Jaguar XJL Portfolio
2014 Jaguar XJL Portfolio
2019 Genesis G80 3.3T Sport

And I'm not one to wait until the end of the model year in order to get a better deal. In fact, I was so anxious to get my latest vehicle, I flew from Miami to DC a little over a week ago to purchase it because it is not available for sale yet anywhere in the state of Florida, and Virginia was the closest location that had the car I wanted in the color that I wanted.

And to the person earlier in the thread who said that it was insane to spend more than $12k for a car and that although she'd love to have a new Lexus or Mercedes, she loves her money more, the only thing I can tell you is that I'm sure your heirs will be happy that you thought that way. Maybe they'll be the ones to enjoy driving a new luxury automobile with all the money you refused to spend on yourself.

I like the new g70 3.3T