NEW VS USED cars

so here is something i was thinking about would i prefer a new or used car??? id pick used just based on my budget also heres something i was reading about this topic so let me know what you think

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=buy&story=nuIntro&subject=new_used



All car purchases start with one decision: New or used? With automakers selling hundreds of new models, and more used cars than there are people to drive them, there are plenty of good vehicles out there ready for an owner and driver.
More on Buying New or Used

Benefits of Buying a New Car

Better finance rates and the latest features are key reasons to buy a new car. Read more
Benefits of Buying a Used Car

Affordability tops the list for potential used-car shoppers. Read more
Other Cost Considerations

Don't forget these additional costs when choosing between new and used cars. Read more

In the end, the decision to buy new or used boils down to what you can afford and what will give you peace of mind.

If you're on a tight budget, then buying a used car gets you the most vehicle for the least amount of money. You can count on one hand the number of new cars that list for less than $10,000. That buys you a tiny car, probably with two doors and certainly with a manual transmission instead of an automatic, no air conditioning, a lack of safety features and few other common amenities.

For less than half the price of the average new car, you can buy a three- or four-year-old used vehicle that is larger and loaded with more features than the small, bare-bones new one. But buying a used vehicle has its risks, which could cost you more over the life of the vehicle. The fact is, you are buying a vehicle that someone else has owned and driven. You don't know how it's been driven or how well it's been cared for. A used vehicle will require maintenance and possibly expensive repairs far sooner than a new one, and these repairs probably won't be covered by a warranty.
The Case for Buying New

For some people, buying used isn't an option; they want a brand spanking new car. They want to select the color and all of the features that go on it. There's definitely a pride of ownership and peace of mind in being a vehicle's first owner. Some of a new car's advantages include:

reduced maintenance: A new vehicle won't need maintenance for the first several thousand miles, and then only an oil change and tuneup are required. Some manufacturers even cover the cost of those routine maintenance items. The new vehicle likely won't need new tires, a battery, exhaust system or brakes during the first few years of ownership or longer.
warranty coverage: The manufacturer covers its new vehicles under warranty for at least three years, and some warranties last even longer. Many luxury makes now offer warranties of four years and 50,000 - 60,000 miles. With manufacturer warranties, if something goes wrong it's the responsibility of the dealer and manufacturer to fix it.

In addition to comprehensive warranties, automakers provide warranty coverage for both corrosion resistance and powertrains. Many manufacturers offer coverage beyond three years/36,000 miles, the previous norm. It's good to keep in mind that if you buy these vehicles used, what's left of the warranty may not be fully transferable.
peace of mind: If you encounter problems with your new car, you have legal recourse through state lemon laws — offered in all 50 states. If you can prove that your new car is a lemon, you could receive a replacement vehicle or get your money back. Lemon laws apply only to new cars. You also can find out if your vehicle was returned to the used-car market as a lemon by looking at the vehicle's title and using a free look-up service provided by Carfax.
roadside assistance: In addition to a comprehensive warranty, virtually all mainstream new cars and light trucks come with free roadside assistance while the vehicle remains under warranty, and, in some cases beyond. Only exotic car makers do not provide roadside assistance. In addition, some automakers reimburse you or provide alternate transportation if you get stranded far from home. A few manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Lincoln and Volkswagen, offer free routine maintenance during the first couple years of ownership. These generally cover oil changes and tuneups.

The Case for Buying Used

If you're not married to the idea of buying a new car, used vehicles have their own benefits:

increased choice: Both new and used-car dealers are feeling the side effects of a tough economy. The positive side of this is that consumers win in a bear market; as dealerships close prices of large, used SUVs and even midsized cars are down, and there should be more vehicles on lots due to slowing sales.
improving reliability: Although used vehicles typically don't carry the same warranties as new ones, the original factory warranty on a new car is transferable to a second owner, usually at no charge. Buyers of certified pre-owned cars from an authorized dealer can purchase a late-model used car with the original warranty and then choose to add to it. The combination of a glut of late-model used vehicles, the greater reliability and durability of vehicles, and the availability of warranties make buying a used car less of a gamble.
just like new: Another trend that makes buying used a better option is the proliferation of certified pre-owned programs. The idea started with luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz and has become a popular alternative for car buyers.

 

I'll be honest, I didn't read that. But my personal opinion on it, and why I will NEVER buy new.

A. New cars are large, bulky, and heavy. You pay for materials/brand not utility.
B. The second you sign those papers and drive off the lot, you INSTANTLY lose 20-30% of your investment. With used cars you are generally at the bottom of its value and only really lose max 5% so long as you maintain it well.
C. My "newer car" is a 2004 Scion xA (toyota quality and shit right?). Paid 10k for it in 06 so it was only 2 years old. at 89k miles the engine blew on it, had tons of issues, paint was thin and crappy, interior was garbage. All of my used cars have been around for 20+ years running on OE parts, multiple owners, etc.

 

Pretty soon you won't be able to buy new if you want a manual transmission, so your only option is going to be used.

 

or a gas engine lol

 

I did buy my MS3 new, BUT that was really only because, at the time, I could not find them used at a dealership anywhere.

Yes, I would rather buy used. Even one year used just saves you a boat load of money. I lucked out a bit that the value of Gen 1 MS3's have remained over what I owe on the car.

But as Ne0z was saying. I had my tranny rebuilt at 10k miles. The quality of car just is not there in the newer cars. Heck the Miata was at 215k miles on the same tranny. The hell! We finally rebuilt the front end of the RX7 which is 29 years old now. It is just amazing how those old cars hold up over the years.

Now I do tend to like to buy a pretty new-used car. Being that from a dealership, I can most likely still get a warranty from it. My luck is that I tend to need it (hence the rebuilt tranny). But that is just a personal opinion on my part. If you are handy with cars, you can fix a lot and save a lot of money doing so. I'm still learning this

 

yeah older cars just have that build quality you cant really find with most new cars pretty sad if u ask me...but if manufactures did make a vehicle that did "last" and we all know they could ( just remember jon's comment about nascar engines lol) it would be less money in their pocket and maybe less newer models which could hurt our used car market....but hey thats just my opinion