As an accountant with a minor in economics, there are many schools of thought, but a lot comes down to what you use the car for. What works for one person might not work for another. A car that is driven a significant amount of highway miles per year is going to have a much lower cost/mile than a car used for short trips around town. Someone who drives 20+ thousand miles a year is going to see things a lot differently than someone who puts barely 10k on a year.

If you do low mileage, buy new, because you will be more likely to utilize the warranty, as it won't run out on you quickly, plus the car will hold it's value much better longer. But if you drive a lot, buy used, because what you don't spend on new, you will probably spend on maintenance.

Some people buy new and replace every few years because they don't want to deal with the maintenance issues and uncertainty of an older vehicle. There is a cost associated with that.

Personally, I'm the type of guy who buys used cars and runs them till they die. I drive way too much to justify buying new (average 3k/month). You just need to figure out your priorities and what you value more. But the bottom line for me is that I have to have a car that I enjoy driving, once that passes, so does my loyalty to the car. I'm wondering if that is going to happen with my current one...:)

94 900SE 2.0 turbo coupe, 278k miles

posted by 207.168.2...

• New car/used car debate, -993-, Tue, 15 Nov 2005 23:25:54
  • Thanks for all the comments and.., -993-, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:11:55
  • Just look at the depreciation curve..., STICKMAN, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 06:14:45
    • And look at other costs over time..., Noel, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 06:31:09
      • this is my philosophy, Bob M, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:14:41
  • Re: New car/used car debate - longish, johnf, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:39:46
  • It's more about what you think you can afford...., Mike Lynch , Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:38:47
    • Wouldn't your lease payment analysis break down if...?, Dave in Houston, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 04:39:00
      • Re: Wouldn't your lease payment analysis break down if., Noel, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 06:08:31
  • Re: New car/used car debate, Ernesto , Wed, 16 Nov 2005 18:14:10
  • Wouldn't buy any car with >20,000 miles on it, NickR, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:49:06
    • I bought my Viggen with 76,000, just passed 130,000, Dave in Houston, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 18:15:35
      • just curious, steveC, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:14:39
        • Re: just curious, Shawn, Fri, 18 Nov 2005 15:56:32
        • I commute too, Trev, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:47:49
        • Commuting (Ramblings), Dave in Houston, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 04:34:09
  • Good thread. It's not a simple answer.. (longish), Noel, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 12:08:48
  • Don't you think that it's not all about money., J, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 11:41:21
  • Re: New car/used car debate, mb25, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 11:30:51 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: New car/used car debate, kooch, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 10:23:02
  • Re: New car/used car debate, PaulO, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 08:49:55
    • Depreciation roughly equal 1st 3 yrs vs 2nd 3 yrs..., Mike Lynch , Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:49:34
      • Here are some real numbers, I think Mike Lynch is right, Ken D, Thu, 17 Nov 2005 18:17:44
      • Re: Depreciation-- A couple of questions..., Noel, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:16:14
    • Re: disagree on one point, JimBlake , Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:16:15
  • Re: New car/used car debate, OKSaabs, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 08:42:26
  • Need a spray can with "new car" smell..., LeoNL, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 08:18:42
    • How used is used?, SaabSpeed, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 10:10:04
  • Figure the cost per mile to drive new or used car..., JBack, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 07:49:40
  • It' really not that simple...., Herb Hirsch , Wed, 16 Nov 2005 06:20:47
  • Re: New car/used car debate, JimBlake , Wed, 16 Nov 2005 06:16:19
  • Not an econ major but..., NateinAA, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 05:00:17
  • Re: New car/used car debate, SaabSpeed, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 03:15:40
    • Re: New car/used car debate, George, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:59:58
      • I paid 15K for a 03 Aero., SaabSpeed, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 10:05:40
        • your numbers are wrong, mattysdad, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 11:10:54
          • that and the fact the 15-3.5=11.5 not 12.5 ;-), markP, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 12:06:09
            • at work doging big brother....sorry.. eom, SaabSpeed, Wed, 16 Nov 2005 19:08:04

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