Buying a used car today compared to many years ago

[Hendog]

Here's my thinking on this matter. Many years ago someone would "buy" a car new and then some years later would sell it. During their term of ownership that new car buyer took good care of his/her car. Whereas today someone takes new car home but most likely did not "buy" it, but rather "leased" it for a term. So when you're out shopping for a used car today you're more likely to get something that was not as well taken care of, likely abused and/or the maintenance neglected more, than in "the old days".

I'm considering replacing my old car. Part of me says to buy something a couple years old with low miles, yet another part of me says to buy new so I don't have to fret about the abuse and neglect the car may have suffered. Or maybe I'll just put a little more money into the "old gal" and keep driving it for a few more years...Is buying used still a good way to go?

[Alan A]

Compare the maintenance requirements of a new car (and leased are usually under warranty so why defer fixing problems) vs something older. Your thoughts are - imo - dated.

I drive cars 1-3 years old as dailies. Always have. I never own one out of warranty.
Some are leased, some bought - depends on the deal and if it’s new or a year old manager special.

In 20 years not once have I checked the oil on any of them.
I’ve never replaced the tires - hell I don’t even know if either of the cars in the driveway have a spare. Never done brakes. Never greased, lubed or packed anything.

My older cars - not so much.

[VincentVega]

My newest car is 17, whats a warranty? I just cant stomach a car payment. ~$100 for brakes every few years doesnt bug me much.

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Compare the maintenance requirements of a new car (and leased are usually under warranty so why defer fixing problems) vs something older. Your thoughts are - imo - dated.

I drive cars 1-3 years old as dailies. Always have. I never own one out of warranty.
Some are leased, some bought - depends on the deal and if it’s new or a year old manager special.

In 20 years not once have I checked the oil on any of them.
I’ve never replaced the tires - hell I don’t even know if either of the cars in the driveway have a spare. Never done brakes. Never greased, lubed or packed anything.

My older cars - not so much.

Of course my thoughts are dated; I'm an OLD GUY on Pelican! Now GET OFF MY LAWN

So you own cars differently than I do. I'm a long term owner. I check and change oil, wash my car in my driveway, do the brakes myself etc. So now I'm thinking of changing out my 18 year old car for something new(er).

[rwest]

Depending on what you’re buying, some cars deprecate like crazy, so buying a few years old makes good financial sense.

I buy manual transmission hatchbacks for my daily driver, so buying new for all the reasons you mentioned is what I do. I figure that I’ll keep it for over ten years, so a couple thousand in depreciation losses spread over that time frame and the piece of mind I get knowing that I took care of the car verses unknown treatment by the PO.

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by rwest

Depending on what you’re buying, some cars deprecate like crazy, so buying a few years old makes good financial sense.

I buy manual transmission hatchbacks for my daily driver, so buying new for all the reasons you mentioned is what I do. I figure that I’ll keep it for over ten years, so a couple thousand in depreciation losses spread over that time frame and the piece of mind I get knowing that I took care of the car verses unknown treatment by the PO.

I have an Accord 4 banger now and thinking Accord Touring hybrid next. They're appliances, that's all they are; which is why I own an '87 911. I tend to agree about the spread on depreciation over time which lessens the loss. Plus, the hybrid batteries are good for 10 years then you need to change them. If I find a used one it's 2-3 years of battery capacity lost. I'm leaning new.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Hendog

Of course my thoughts are dated; I'm an OLD GUY on Pelican! Now GET OFF MY LAWN

So you own cars differently than I do. I'm a long term owner. I check and change oil, wash my car in my driveway, do the brakes myself etc. So now I'm thinking of changing out my 18 year old car for something new(er).

And that’s my point.
New cars have different maintenance cycles.

[sc_rufctr]

Right now I only buy old classic cars (Usually German and Pre-OBD2 preferably).

The idea being you can drive them for a few years and then move them on with little to no financial loss.
Yes they use more fuel but the purchase price more than makes up for that and don't forget about the additional costs of leasing or buying.
My 911SC is worth more than 3 times what I paid for it in 1999. That's probably the best investment I've ever made.

Plus I'm cheap and refuse to borrow money to buy a car.
Leasing is much the same regardless of how the car companies want to sell the idea to you.

Having said all that new cars are extremely convenient and reliable.
Waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck is no fun at all...

However there is one car I would consider buying new... A current Tesla Model S!
The idea of never buying gas again is very appealing and Tesla have continued to improve the "S".
But they are expensive here in Aus.

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Compare the maintenance requirements of a new car (and leased are usually under warranty so why defer fixing problems) vs something older.

In 20 years not once have I checked the oil on any of them.
I’ve never replaced the tires - hell I don’t even know if either of the cars in the driveway have a spare. Never done brakes. Never greased, lubed or packed anything.

My older cars - not so much.

Originally Posted by Alan A

And that’s my point.
New cars have different maintenance cycles.

I'm not sure I understand the difference in maintenance requirements of old Vs new. Let me see if I'm picking up what you're laying down. You own them for a short term, before any significant maintenance is required ie brakes, tires, etc. All you need to do is have the oil changed a few times and then you're on to the next car. I would think that would have applied many years ago just as it does today.

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Right now I only buy old classic cars (Usually German and Pre-OBD2 preferably).

The idea being you can drive them for a few years and then move them on with little to no financial loss.
Yes they use more fuel but the purchase price more than makes up for that and don't forget about the additional costs of leasing or buying.
My 911SC is worth more than 3 times what I paid for it in 1999. That's probably the best investment I've ever made.

Plus I'm cheap and refuse to borrow money to buy a car.
Leasing is much the same regardless of how the car companies want to sell the idea to you.

Having said all that new cars are extremely convenient and reliable.
Waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck is no fun at all...

However there is one car I would consider buying new... A current Tesla Model S!
The idea of never buying gas again is very appealing and Tesla have continued to improve the "S".
But they are expensive here in Aus.

Yep, I would buy old cars too but I don't like the idea of them leaving me stranded or having to unexpectedly having to fix them at the "wrong time", which is why I like the Toyota/Honda appliances. They serve their purpose. If I finance it's for 3 years or less. I would rather have my money earning somewhere while I borrow at a lesser cost.

[reachme]

I just bought the wife a VW Tiguan 6 months used. Not that its a great car but it comes new with a 6 year warranty. I bought used 6 months and CPO adds another year warranty on so car has a 6.5 year warranty everything but tires and brakes.
This works because my wife does not always appreciate that i cannot drop everything to investigate every rattle so her having a car with a warranty is good for our marriage.

I bought the warranty more than the car.
For myself I'm done buying new cars, I don't feel safe in them and I dont trust all the drive by wire systems. and correct your steering, brake for you, beep at you and prevent car from moving if it thinks a door is open. f that

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Hendog

I'm not sure I understand the difference in maintenance requirements of old Vs new. Let me see if I'm picking up what you're laying down. You own them for a short term, before any significant maintenance is required ie brakes, tires, etc. All you need to do is have the oil changed a few times and then you're on to the next car. I would think that would have applied many years ago just as it does today.

Most new cars have oil changes at 12-15k or annually rather than every 3k.
Even my truck - which tells me how much life is left in the oil.

I’m saying they are more reliable and require less upkeep.

But since you’ve decided to be offended by the fact that I don’t need to do anything for some reason I’ll wish you the best of luck with whatever appliance you end up with and bow out.

[LWJ]

2000 landcruiser
1980 911 SC

See a trend with me?

[legion]

Originally Posted by Hendog

I'm not sure I understand the difference in maintenance requirements of old Vs new. Let me see if I'm picking up what you're laying down. You own them for a short term, before any significant maintenance is required ie brakes, tires, etc. All you need to do is have the oil changed a few times and then you're on to the next car. I would think that would have applied many years ago just as it does today.

That's about the most expensive mode of ownership.

I keep my vehicles 10+ years, do most of the maintenance myself. As I am mechanically familiar with them, I experience few surprises.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

My 911SC is worth more than 3 times what I paid for it in 1999. That's probably the best investment I've ever made.

I hope you mean only automotive investments.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Alan A

I hope you mean only automotive investments.

I have made better investments but I didn't want to brag.

EDIT: I realise by stating I didn't want to brag is actually bragging...

[Hendog]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Most new cars have oil changes at 12-15k or annually rather than every 3k.
Even my truck - which tells me how much life is left in the oil.

I’m saying they are more reliable and require less upkeep.

But since you’ve decided to be offended by the fact that I don’t need to do anything for some reason I’ll wish you the best of luck with whatever appliance you end up with and bow out.

Not at all offended Alan. It wasn't clear what the maintenance cycles are today. Thank you for elaborating.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Hendog

Yep, I would buy old cars too but I don't like the idea of them leaving me stranded or having to unexpectedly having to fix them at the "wrong time", which is why I like the Toyota/Honda appliances. They serve their purpose. If I finance it's for 3 years or less. I would rather have my money earning somewhere while I borrow at a lesser cost.

Henri, I can see what you're coming from.

I'm almost 55 years old... I really like working on my own cars right now but in 10 years time I may not be as enthusiastic.
So at some point I will buy something new and that will probably be a Tesla.

What I do like is the choices we have today. Right now I'm "dailying" a 1992 400SE (W140)
Most people think I'm nuts but I've owned the car for almost 3 years and it's been largely problem free.
I did spend some money on it to address some issues but otherwise this car has been great.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/955503-w140-daily.html

[Sooner or later]

I buy them with about 20,000 miles and drive em till the wheels fall off.

[Bill Douglas]

I buy them second hand, but ones that look like they are brand new. Usually about half the cost of new.

And when a car comes to my house it's usually it's last stop. Dogs jumping in and out, loads of stuff jammed in the car and taken to the dump. But oil changes every six months though and warmups on cold starts.