Is it EVER a good idea to buy a new vehicle?

[AKDoug]

I buy new personal trucks, but I drive them until the wheels fall off. My biggest problem is that used diesel pickups, which I need, are completely overpriced and most people who unload them have way more options than I need. I just order my trucks the way I want to, pay for them from my business, and take the depreciation.

[Arik]

What kills me is the person that buys a cheap Kia that is worth nothing when 5 years old!

If you're the guy to drive it for the next decade it makes more sense and it's still worth a few grand in the end.

[themonk]

With interest rates going up, if you can get a new car with 0% interest it will make sense to do the math.

[glocktogo]

Yes, if you’re willing to put in the work. Bought my Chevy Colorado ZR2 new last year. They were offering about $3,500 off msrp locally. Used ones with 8-10k on the odometer were about $6-7k off msrp. I went on autotrader.com, put in exactly what I wanted on it and searched nationally. Then I sorted by lowest price first, boom. Found exactly what I wanted new on the lot for $8,350 off msrp.

$280 Southwest one way flight and an 1100 mile road trip later, I literally could’ve flipped it and made money.

[ABNAK]

Yes, if you’re willing to put in the work. Bought my Chevy Colorado ZR2 new last year. They were offering about $3,500 off msrp locally. Used ones with 8-10k on the odometer were about $6-7k off msrp. I went on autotrader.com, put in exactly what I wanted on it and searched nationally. Then I sorted by lowest price first, boom. Found exactly what I wanted new on the lot for $8,350 off msrp.

$280 Southwest one way flight and an 1100 mile road trip later, I literally could’ve flipped it and made money.

Damn, that's dedicated!

[MegademiC]

It depends on what you want.
I get off on running old cars into the ground, running them hard, but maintaining them.


A new car is only new for a month, so if thats your thing, id think a lease is best- but havent researched in a couple years.

[MWAG19919]

Almost exactly 2 years ago I had to replace my first car, an 04 Honda Civic, after some idiot in a minivan turned left in front of me. That Civic had a full tank of gas and new windshield wiper blades too

I went with an 06 RAV4 V6 with 84k miles on it. It only had 1 owner who had the vehicle serviced religiously every 5k miles. I'm at 115k now and overall my experience has been positive. No problems whatsoever on the road trips I've taken, including a round trip from Chicago to Ft. Collins. One thing I'll point out is that I'm very glad I opted for the 2 year, 25k mile service package for an extra $1200 or so. It ended up paying for itself a few times over, but then again the Civic was also bought used (69k) with a service plan that paid for itself. I would say Toyotas & Hondas are pretty low maintenance overall, but not maintenance free.

For me new vs used is a decision that depends on a few things, but make & model are probably the deciding factors. I probably wouldn't buy a used truck or sports car unless the mileage was crazy low because chances are the previous owner(s) beat the hell out of it. With proper maintenance I hope to drive the RAV4 until 2026 or 250k miles, whichever comes first.

[glocktogo]

Damn, that's dedicated!

Yeah, but $4,500 is $4,500 dollars!

[soulezoo]

Depends on the car and the deal quite frankly. 3 stories to illustrate.
1. Bought daughter new on the lot Corolla on an end of year sale. Paid 11.5 in 08. Daughter drove it two years and 45k miles... then totaled it. Insurance paid me $1500 more than I originally paid for it. Taxes included.
2. Bought an 04 Dodge diesel for $12k off sticker mid year (June). I had it for about 2.5 years before I noticed the used ones (same year) started selling for less than I originally paid for it. So almost like the first 2.5 years for free.
3. I buy strictly used 2-3 year old Mercedes and Audi's. They are usually selling for 1/2 original price by then. Two examples: bought wife's E350 Bluetec, 2 years old and 19k miles for 38k. Originally sold for 63k. My Audi A8, 3 years 31k miles. Originally sold for 89k. I paid 42k.
Just keep in mind, it depends on the car and the deal.

[SteyrAUG]

IRS rules for that are very arcane and not at all practical except in some rare circumstances.

I meant AS an actual business vehicle. My friend owns a limo service, for him it makes sense because it's deductible.