Another Reason to Not Buy a New Car
 

I can't think of any good reason to buy a new car.

They smell nice. Anyone else notice that there was a man interviewed named Mr. Bland?:)

I walked around town today, picking up car brochures. I always like to know what I'll be driving in 15 years time.

I don't buy new cars either. Any surprise this is an Audi? Or the story could be about Porsche and the intermediate shaft. What happened to German quality?

Probably won't be a new car in my future (other than company car) until my three kids are beyond college. But...new car smell is one good reason. I like that. Also, just the fact that no one has touched it and done anything stupid before you. No door dings, no chuck-holes, no Jiffy-lubes, no french fries under the seat, no pine straw in the trunk, and the list goes on.

A lot of money to spend for peace of mind, but if you're thinking of buying a "holy grail" car that you're going to keep, yes...new may not be the financially responsible thing to do, but sometimes that's not the overriding criteria.

Admission: Didn't read the link on the OP.

Bought one last year and struck out the clause they had no problem. Most people don't even read the sales contract I'm sure. We generally buy new cars and keep them until the wheels fall off.

However I had the same transmission issue in an Audi 100 many years ago- it went kaput at 60,000 miles. Audi treated us like crap and wouldn't cover a thing. Suing them would have taken far more resources and time than we had. Consequently, that was the last Audi we ever owned.

I have not bought a new car since my 1974 914 2.0

My wife bought a new Infinity G35x. It was the first new car she had ever owned. My name is on the title so technically I guess I bought it as well. She picked out what she wanted and picked the colors and options. It is her car and I have only driven it a few dozen times. It has been a typical appliance car. No problems at all.

A customer of mine told me a story about his brand new Chevy truck. Brake light / signal light bulb burns out, he replaces it but it still doesn't work. Takes to the dealer where they had to re-flash one of the onboard body computers in order to reactivate the circuit!!! $125.00 for a $2.00 solution... Is he just blowing smoke? anybody know?

Have never and will never buy new. In fact I'm unlikely to ever buy a newer-than-1996 vehicle simply to avoid the OBD-2 mandated nanny-state crap and it's associated headaches.

Add automotive to the long list of cool things killed by corporate greed plus government over-regulation.

Newer cars are just soulless, overpriced appliances for the most part now. They evoke about as much passion and interest in me as a computer-controlled stove top.

Probably true. An amazing amount of stuff is computerized these days and is solved with software downloads or updates. If the truck is brand new, the warranty should have covered it.

If a car has really good resale value, it's best purchased new IMO. If it has bad resale, used makes sense. Historical examples- why buy a 2 year old F-150 for $3K less than a new one? If you can buy a 3-4 year old Lincoln or Cadillac for 50% of new- good deal.

When you buy used, you have a car with X miles on it that is Y years old. It will always be worth less than a new one would be when you go to sell. The longer you keep either car, the more the resale difference will approach zero. Let's say the used car has 30,000 miles on it. It's due for a major service and probably close to a set of tires and brakes. Plus it could be fore sale because there was some problem with it or it was there was some bodywork done that doesn't show on the Carfax. The chances are higher that you'll get the color and options you want on a new car, too.

On top of that, a new car comes with a full warranty and the Lemon Law protection. Extended warranties are cheaper on a new car than a used one, and the financing is likely better, too. Add up all these things and often times a new car is a better deal than a used one.

Most of your rationale is the result of where you choose to live. We have no emissions testing here at all, so not a consideration for some of us. Your comment that new cars are just overpriced appliances tells me you haven't test driven a new car lately. Ever drive a Mini Cooper S? The Infiniti G37S I recently sold was a blast to drive. 328hp, paddle shifters, sport seats and 26 mpg. I hear great things about the new M3 also. Just sayin'.

My next door neighbor owns the Ford/Chrysler dealership in town. He told me recently that used car values are so high lately that it really doesn't make much sense to buy used, unless you're going POP's route and buying something that's used up. Steve's comments echo my neighbors, so perhaps there's something to it.

that is the point of the article on arbitration clauses - no lemon law protection, and maybe not much of a warranty either

I'll believe it when I see it. Most comments in this thread tout buying used as the only way to go, which so far includes Lemon Law protection. Arbitration agreements as of now are between the dealer and the customer, not manufacturer and customer. I didn't catch anything in this thread about warranties going away.

I agree there are some newer vehicles that are cool/sexy (BTR, etc.) but largely the new stuff really is put-me-to-sleep computerized plastic throwaway junk.

I also think that throwing money at the steepest part of a depreciation curve (and the depreciation curves on a lot of the new models are frightening!) is just plain stupid. Like the saying goes, "...a fool and his money..."

But do whatever floats yer boat I guess. I'll stick to cars at least 5-10 years old and ideally pre-1996. Lots of good choices.

a warranty that is unenforceable has gone away

I found the lemon law here in Colorado not to be worth the effort. My Grand Cherokee was in the shop all but one week of three months we owned it. I mentioned the word "lemon law" to the service manager and a lawyer for the dealership, and a Chrysler local rep descended on me.

Their statement to me, and my attorneys advice, was not to pursue it unless I wanted a very long legal fight. During that time I would still own the vehicle anyway. So we got it out of the shop and sold it right away. I figure a few thousand lost on the deal was cheaper than fighting Chrysler.

Shame I left a business card in the glove box because the new owner called me about issues he was having as well.

You can buy new car smell in a spray bottle.

I bought the Mazdaspeed brand new. While it was a good feeling being the only one to have ever had their grubby mitts on it, I don't think I need to repeat the experience. Of course, I don't think I ever took it to the dealership for maintenance (did not require any warranty work).

Bingo. And the arbitrator is usually NADA.

FWIW I think buying a new car and running it until the wheels come off can be a smart financial decision. We have kept the majority of cars we own for over ten years. I've only bought one new Porsche in my lifetime though. My beloved 944S2. I kept it eleven years before getting a used 993.

I read somewhere that you really need to keep a new vehicle purchase for about seven to eight years for it to make financial sense, afterwards the savings can be very good (if the car is reliable and get reasonably good MPG). I've only bought one car new, my current 325i which I will take to at least 200,000 miles. It's been running fantastic and if it continues I may head towards 250 or 300K.

Yes they do smell nice (note quote in sig line... ;) )

I like new cars. I've had a few that I kept for over ten years. Two new cars in my past.

For my wife I will buy new.

RIGHT BLAH BLAH BLAH....smart finance deciision....... saving money..... really who gives a sh##, if you can afford it buy it...........grown successful adults driving around in 10 15 year old ****ty cars WTF...you think someones going to build a monument to your tight arse ways.......none of us is going to survive this world...what do you think saving a few thousand dollars is going do for you in the long run.......... IF YOU GOT IT THATS WHAT ITS FOR!!!!!!!!

Spoken like a true car salesman.

Hmm, I'll add to that. I happen to love the way my "old" car drives and there is almost zero cars out there currently offered that make me want to buy new. I could easily afford a new car if I wanted (I just paid cash for my recently purchased "old" 993 I don't think that is being a tight arse). None of the new cars excite me.

Jeez... lighten up.

I never said you should buy a new car...but there are more reasons for buying a brand new car other than price.............if you don't understand that why are you regulars at a car forum...an expensive car fourm.

Saving every dime you make is just as sad as spending every dime you make.

If I had the money there would be one used car in my future. I'd get a nice old Porsche for everyday driving.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....first-ride.jpg

The last new car I bought was my '98 Accord V6 and it's still going strong at 230,000 miles. Normal maintenance and careful driving have made it a good experience. Wife loves her bought-new '07 Odyssey and it's got 100,000 trouble-free miles now.

There is not a single new vehicle out there that I would have any interest in buying. Nothing appeals to me.

Not even a GT3 or Cayman?

of all my friends, the ones that encourage me to simply splurge on the fly are the ones that are splurging on the fly.

i am certainly not a tight wad.. i just keep a clear eye on the differences between my "needs" and my "wants". it is the gray area purchases that keep things exciting for me. hahah.

i feel new cars are cool. the car companies are finally building things that make me take a second look. heck, Hyundai has me double taking tooks..that two door turbo car is pretty nice looking...for a hyundai. :) (even Ford!)