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I have never owned a new vehicle. You know, the fresh off the showroom floor with that new car smell. I was curious to find out how many others (mostly over the age of 30) have never had a new car.
My first car was a 1979 Mustang that I bought in 1982. I then had a 1981 Monte Carlo in 1988, a 1979 Datsun 810 in 1990 and then a string of 1985's in the early-mid 90's (Firebird, Pontiac 6000, Honda Accord). In the late 90s I had a 1988 Volvo and then a 2000 Subaru I bought in 2002. I currently have a 2007 Pontiac G6 that was my daughter's for a few years before she bought a new car and we traded my Subaru for it. During all this time, I also had a few beaters in the mix.
I have dreamed of having a new vehicle but, even now, I find myself looking at purchasing a used Kia Optima.
So, who else has never had a right off the assembly line new vehicle?
While I have owned new cars, I know plenty of people who never have - always hand-me-downs, or purchased used. And, I'm sure there are many more. It's really not that unusual.
Been driving for 24 years and I've never owned a new vehicle. When I was younger I simply couldn't afford one. Now that I'm older it wouldn't be a problem... but now I understand things like interest and depreciation. I never say never anymore... but I just can't bring myself to pay interest on a depreciating asset. Even with supposedly 0% financing, I'm just not ok with that level of depreciation when I can get acceptable service from a used vehicle at a fraction of the price.
I've bought two new vehicles for my wife, but I've never had one myself. The first one was a Honda Odyssey when our children were little, and the second was 2 years ago for our 20th wedding anniversary, a BMW 640i convertible. (Admittedly I do drive it quite a bit too.) But it was what she wanted, not what I would have chosen.
The newest vehicle I've ever had has been 2 years old, and the lowest mileage I've ever had buying a car was 9k.
Traditionally, I've purchased 1-2 year old vehicles...usually under 20K miles. To me they are still pretty new.
I did lease a car, and while technically new it was never really mine. They entire time I drove it it felt like a rental and I was paranoid to keep it in nice shape. When it came time to hand it in..i was ready for it to go.
Last year I bought my first brand new vehicle. I was a month shy of my 46th birthday. I'm 47 now. Kept my previous car for 11 years. Buying new made financial sense for me at this point in my life. Majority of my driving is commuting to and from work in town. I'm a smooth and steady driver who doesn't speed nor drive recklessly. I plan on keeping the car well beyond ten years. It still brings a smile to my face. I researched and comparison shopped for more than a year before deciding on the make, model, and features. I got the options I wanted without going up to the top trim level.
The newest vehicle I have ever owned is the 2013 Subaru Impreza sitting in my driveway. Bought it last weekend. I will be 46 in a bit over a month and with one exception all of my cars/trucks have been well used when I got them. Most gave me a few years of good use with the notable exception of the second newest car I have ever owned, which was a piece of junk. I doubt I will ever buy a brand brand new car.
I bought a new car once, and it's exciting if you're a car nut like me. My problem is expensive taste, so it just isn't worth the expense to buy what I like brand new. A few years old with low mileage and looks cared for is just fine for me these days. If someone with simpler taste and can afford it, I say Go For It!
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