Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / General Car Topics / January 2007

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Buy new car or 1 year old? And if new, how should I go about buying it?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
D.K. - 19 Jan 2007 19:09 GMT
I'm sure this has been discussed before but I want up-to-the-minute
info and opinions.

I need a new car, am probably going to buy a Honda Civic or Honda Fit.
The questions are:
New or low-mileage used?
If new, should I buy over the net? Fleet? or ?

I want to spend the least amount of money, and while I realize a one
year old car is somewhat cheaper (not all that much), there is more
risk of getting a lemon I think, that way, and I want something
dependable.

My past experience with buying used is about 66% bad and 34% good. Even

after having a car thoroughly checked out by a qualified mechanic, I
often ended up with a lemon that ended up needing a lot of work after I

bought it used. Bad used car karma? Maybe.

However, I am thinking that if I buy one that is only 1 year old and
has low mileage, had scheduled maintenance, etc., I might be okay. But
the price of buying from a reputable dealer is not that much cheaper
than buying a new one, right? So which is better?

I remember last time I bought a new car (1997), I found out later that
I could have gotten a better deal via a fleet buyer. Is that still a
good way to go? Or can you make a better deal just finding out the
actual dealer invoice and making your best deal by going around to
various dealers and finding one who just wants to make a sale, and
willing to make the least amount of profit to do so?

Thanks for all input, even though I know this has been discussed
before. Like I say I want up to date opinions and info in this
fast-changing market.
Rick Brandt - 20 Jan 2007 13:23 GMT
> I'm sure this has been discussed before but I want up-to-the-minute
> info and opinions.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> New or low-mileage used?
> If new, should I buy over the net? Fleet? or ? [snip]

All experience is anecdotal (obviously), but I have had better luck with cars
one or two years behind "this years model" having between 15 and 20 thousand on
the odometer then I have had with new.  Often these are turn-ins on 24 month
leases and all of the piddly new-car problems have already been dealt with.

With any pre-owned there is the risk that the last guy traded it in because of
some real problems, but there are also a lot of people who just like to change
vehicles frequently.

Much of this is dependent on whether you are interested in keeping the car for a
long time and want lowest total cost of ownership or if you are more interested
in how much it will cost you per-month.  Generally you can get better loan rates
on new vehicles making the monthly payments about the same.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.