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There's nothing wrong with buying used, but as others have said be smart about it. Sometimes it doesn't make sense, especially with the finance incentives and such on new/leftovers this time of year. But, there are good deals to be had if you look hard enough. I just bought a '14 Toyota Avalon XLE Premium for $23K with only 4K miles on it. Same car, brand new 2016 model would be $38-$40K. I think I did pretty good. One of my goals was a lower payment because we have just my salary until my wife finishes school and can get back to work. We're not struggling by any means, but I am just trying to be smart. Dealer was pushing me to buy new once they ran my credit, but I wouldn't bite.
There are some really excellent deals out there if you look long/hard enough.
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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If I really wanted a unique car I'd buy a low mileage Lexus SC430 convertible. V8, faultless reliability, under $15k for an example that will run forever. Lots of other unique cars out there as well.
Either buy brand new if their offering incentives that actually make it worth it (which if you look their usually not) or buy at the 3+ yr old mark. A certified pre-owned will still come with a factory warranty and cost significantly less with all the inflated "value" removed. New cars loose more value in the first 3-4 yrs than you've paid off, so if you can do math..... new is mathematically not a good deal. There are exceptions sometimes so look close.
I'm a young guy, so the idea of driving a camry or any 4 banger sedan, after having driven one for years, it doesn't appeal me that much. Yeah, the car has improved but 180hp, which most these 4 bangers linger around, just doesn't cut it these days. I will always feel like I should have gotten something more powerful or sportier. It is only 30hp more than my current old car, that's nothing.
Obviously, more power and sportiness, translates to more money, unfortunatly.
Common sense, tells me that the v6 mustang is the best option, it is the one that offers the most bang/power for you buck.
These are the vehicles that I'm considering. For one, I have never owned a coupe, so it would be nice, but also, there are some sedan that look really good. I'm including the cars between 25 and 45k miles.
Ideally, I'd rather have the genesis coupe, but with low miles and v6 is not in my reach yet. I could pay cash for a 60-70k miles 2015 camry SE right now, but it is just too boring. Everywhere I go I see one.
2014 Mazda 6 iTouring
around $16-17k 19 inch wheel
184hp
leatheret interior
traditional automatic transmission
sporty looking sedan
fuel economy
front wheel drive
more unique
2013 Honda Accord EXL coupe
around $17-18k
185hp
17 inch wheels
leather interior
CVT transmission
coupe
front wheel drive
2013 Ford Mustang v6 premium
around $17-18k
305hp
leather seats
simple radio
17 or 18 inch wheels
traditional auto
read wheel drive
everyone has one
2013 Genesis Coupe base
around 18-20k
274 or 348hp
cloth seats
18-19 inch wheels
traditional auto
rear wheel drive
unique
2015 Toyota Camry SE
boring
everyone has one
around 16-17k
leather mixed seats
178hp
CVT
probably the safest and cheapest option if you go with higher miles to bring price down
The Camry doesn't have a CVT. It has a very smooth (almost too smooth, i.e., boring) 6-speed. I just got a 2017. Nice quality, nice looking interior, ostensibly reliable. But, no, not exciting.
I'm a young guy, so the idea of driving a camry or any 4 banger sedan, after having driven one for years, it doesn't appeal me that much. Yeah, the car has improved but 180hp, which most these 4 bangers linger around, just doesn't cut it these days. I will always feel like I should have gotten something more powerful or sportier. It is only 30hp more than my current old car, that's nothing.
Obviously, more power and sportiness, translates to more money, unfortunatly.
Common sense, tells me that the v6 mustang is the best option, it is the one that offers the most bang/power for you buck.
The Camry doesn't have a CVT. It has a very smooth (almost too smooth, i.e., boring) 6-speed. I just got a 2017. Nice quality, nice looking interior, ostensibly reliable. But, no, not exciting.
It is definitely better than what I have now. The center console looks kinda outdated, it doesn't look that much different from the previous model. Also, there are like 2 camries in my apartment complex, both SE versions. Everywhere I go I see one. It is the perfect car if you don't want to be noticed AT ALL. lol
I rarely see a Mazda 6, especially the Itouring and Grand Touring version, which come with 19 inch wheels. Out of all sedans, the one I like the most and that also comes with regular 6 speed, is the mazda 6.
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