Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

jim barclay — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:57:51 GMT

If ya gotta buy a used car go for the good stuff you know lasts and get it from someone you know who fixed it up good. There's an auto salvage place in my town that reclaims cars and gurantees them. They're local and so are their customers. Say if the alternator doesn't last like they say they come out and put in another one for free. It isn't a new one but guaranteed like the old one was supposed to be. Rarely happens. I bet there's a place like that in your town. You might want to make sure the type of car is trustworthy make like a Corolla or some other kind of camel.

Remember that "used" means just that.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Jim Barclay — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:46:16 GMT

Why do either? I have kept my newly bought cars in top shape and respond promptly to any problem. I don't put a lot of empty miles on my cars like driving to some place on a whim or making a lot of seperate trips when I could make one trip and do a day of shopping and banking. My present car is 10yrs. old and less than 50K. I do buy reconditioned or after market parts at good stores. Repairs and replacements do cost, but its worth it. I put a new chip in the box and now I get 34mpg. The car is for use, not being fancy. Its a tool and I treat it right. My wife loves it. My advice? Why waste money, time and aggravation? Fix what you have and safely use it up. That's the way.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Ted Torres — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:12:59 GMT

My recent Pre-Owned (used) experiences were as follows:

*05' Cadillac CTS Luxury-Loaded-24K miles-9 months factory warranty left-Near Perfect In & Out and Gorgeous-$17K !!

*05' Cadillac CTS Luxury\Sport-Loaded w\$2.5K of add ons-18K miles-6 months factory warranty left-Perfect In & Out and Stunning Great Looks-19K !!!

Buying both New would have cost me $90K...NUFF Said!!!

VERY Happy Campers!

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

nitrile — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:43:28 GMT

Some cars don't depreciate, it seems.

When I was shopping for a Corolla, the used ones had lost very little value vs. a new one.

With incentives & a willingness to negotiate by the dealer, the new one was the way to go, I decided.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Kirk — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:16:42 GMT

My law partner and I have two different systems (we're both cheap and pay cash):

He buys used, mostly lease turn-ins and keeps them 5-6 years; I buy new and keep them 8 years. I get precisely what I want and he gets whatever he can find that's close. Any mechanical issues are mine and his often relate back to the first owner. Money-wise we're about even, with me slightly ahead.

Neither of us would consider a lease even though we're in a position to write off part as business expense (if we kept a log book). A lease for the average guy is a rip off because at the end of the contract you own nothing - no equity in what you've been paying for. If you drive more than 12K mi/yr you will pay through the nose for the excess mileage and any 'abnormal' wear and tear. Great for the dealer, bad for you.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Daryl Heinrich — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:33:10 GMT

Buy a preowned 3yr or newer certified car with lower than 40K. Smartest buying move you can make. Trust me I'm a used car salesman! That's right I said it!

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Still Pinmpin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:21:34 GMT

Leasing a new car is the best way. Used cars are for people who dont know any better.I sell cars and I have sold alot of leases to people. Im not hurting for business right now and could care less about what peolpe are saying about the economy , futhermore my customer dont care either, because thier coming back to see me every three years and dropping off the keys to thier old lease and I'm handing over the keys to thier new lease. This is a little concept called customer retention. So I say to all these socalled internet experts that never sold cars for a living and never held a dealers licence go ahead emerce yourselves in all this ridiculous nonsence on here about how to buy and sell cars.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Still Pinmpin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:18:59 GMT

I sell cars and I have sold alot of leases to people. Im not hurting for business right now and could care less about what peolpe are saying about the economy , futhermore my customer dont care either, because thier coming back to see me every three years and dropping off the keys to thier old lease and I'm handing over the keys to thier new lease. This is a little concept called customer retention. So I say to all these socalled internet experts that never sold cars for a living and never held a dealers licence go ahead emerce yourselves in all this ridiculous nonsence on here about how to buy and sell cars.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Still Pinmpin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:16:48 GMT

Ok any body who buys a car period is a moron. Why would you buy a car when you could lease one? Alot of you reading this are sitting back "oh no way I HAVE TO OWN MY CAR!!!!" In the real world which much of the fast food loving television addicted idiots in America dont live in, you only own what has a zero balence. Just because you go to a dealership and sign a contract , that does not mean that you own a a car. All you did was agree to pay back what you had to borrow to get the car in you drive way. Meanwhile the car depreciates the second you drive off the lot, and will continue to do so everyday until it winds up on a scrap yard somewhere. a lease is based on a residual value , so for example . Car A has a 50% residual value for three years, and the money factor is .00015 (interest) this means you only pay for half of the car which is the portion you used. The residual value is the amount that the manufactor estimates the car will be worth at the end of three years of ownership. Tipically cars wont hold there vales and in a lease the manufactor takes the depreciation hit and not the customer. During the time you are leasing the car is completly covered under warranty , so this means all you pay for is scheduled maintanance. No alot of people say "Well what about the miles I wanna drive where I wanna drive". My question is who is stopping you? The leasing company has a mileage penalty for those who drive more than the miles in there contract. this charge is offset the extra depreciation you caused buy driving over the miles

You know what this is a waste of time . I sell cars and I have sold alot of leases to people. Im not hurting for business right now and could care less about what peolpe are saying about the economy , futhermore my customer dont care either, because thier coming back to see me every three years and dropping off the keys to thier old lease and I'm handing over the keys to thier new lease. This is a little concept called customer retention. So I say to all these socalled expert that never sold cars for a living and never held a dealers licence go ahead emerce yourselves in all this ridiculous nonsence on here about how to buy nad sell cars.

PS I you own a domestic your a moron. You have been a moron long before Obama so dont blame him. Remember if you have a monthly payment on it you Dont own it the BANK owns it! We as consumers have been brianwashed by TV and Radio into thinking we own things that we dont.

re: Used car vs. new car: Join the debate

Mark — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:09 GMT

I will always buy a used vehicle, even if we can afford new. The cost of new, verses

the cost of a 2 year old car is unbelievable difference. Besides, salesmen of new cars are sent to car charm school...They can sell you free air for life for the tires and you won't even know it.

2003 was the last new vehicle..SUV purchased...I walked into the showroom and said...20 minutes and out the door for this vehicle. It took over an hour just to buy

a vehicle. We as shoppers, should be able to buy a vehicle in less than 30 minutes, if we know what we want without all the add on's.