It's always seemed simple to me. Any car's depreciation curve is similar. A radical drop from new thru first year, followed by a quick easing of the drop rate. Then for some years the value drops at a steady but much more gradual rate. Eventually the rate will become radical again at the point where the car begins to 1) show visible rust & interior degradation, and 2) have significant failures. I buy where the depreciation rate begins its gradual rate and sell before it hits the next radical rate. Generally... find a 2 yrs old car with 30-40k miles on the clock. Look it over closely to assuree no collision history. Drive it and use all your senses to assure it "feels good". Then sell it before it hits the 100k psychological barrier, or if you love it, continue driving it and sell it just before you feel it's going to begin to look weathered. This has worked every time so far for me. Many 30k cars out there that still look, feel, perform, and smell... new. Some for barely 1/2 the price of new. OH ALSO... remember that if you buy a $20 used car instead of a $40k new car, you've either got an extra $20k invested and earning money for you, or you're paying much less interest on your loan.
BUY USED.

posted by 192.136....

• 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 <-- Viewing This Message
    • 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
  • 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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