General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
#3076
Lexus Test Driver
I think everyone would rather have a new car if they could afford it or if it was practical.
#3077
Lexus Test Driver
It's a different cost benefit analysis for every person. For some, the extra cost of buying new is worth it. For others, it's not worth it. For yet another group, it's not even attainable.
#3078
Lexus Fanatic
From a cost analysis the used car always makes more sense, but for me cars aren't a "makes sense" thing.
#3081
I agree with this sentiment as well. I have owned exclusively used cars, They’ve all had some imperfections I wouldn’t have allowed to happen if I was the owner of the car. Case in point I was walking through the Kroger parking lot the other day and a lady in a new RX 350 blithely and nonchalantly drive her rear wheel over the median curb grass thing at the end of the row because she cut the corner WAY too tight. Cringe!
#3085
Some cars take a huge depreciation hit so I understand why to buy used. Then you have some brands that hold their value so well it’s almost worth purchasing new. Also buying used can be a roll of the dice as well from a reliability standpoint.
#3086
Lexus Champion
I look at it from the perspective of ANYTHING that can possibly be wrong or need corrected costs nowhere near what the depreciation of the type of cars I like would have. I can't justify spending 5-10x for something with the same driving experience and would rather just order a bunch of new interior bits etc to get everything back to new vs spending an extra $70-150k
In my case reliability is totally irrelevant and I've also found stuff with a little bit of history tends to show if a car will give problems or not. New was always a dice roll for me, I had two good cars and three really bad ones new. Plus a lot of cars I really want are so insanely expensive new it wouldn't make sense vs used in any situation to buy them and keep them permanently. Used allows me to actually own them as long as I see fit and not have to be forced out due to lease terms or market conditions etc
In my case reliability is totally irrelevant and I've also found stuff with a little bit of history tends to show if a car will give problems or not. New was always a dice roll for me, I had two good cars and three really bad ones new. Plus a lot of cars I really want are so insanely expensive new it wouldn't make sense vs used in any situation to buy them and keep them permanently. Used allows me to actually own them as long as I see fit and not have to be forced out due to lease terms or market conditions etc
#3088
Lexus Champion
But sure, I totally get it.
#3089
Lexus Fanatic
I also like brand new stuff.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 04-12-24 at 11:01 AM.