+108 votes
by (1.8k points)
What are y’all‘s thoughts on brand new cars? Let me start by saying that vehicles are our splurge. We are farmers, live in a rural area and are about to have 4 kids. We can make my current vehicle work with 4 car seats, but it isn’t a long term thing and it’s going to be horrible. Husband is on board with buying a new vehicle later in the summer. We’re looking at the 2021 GMC Yukon XL or a 20/21 Ford Expedition Max. I love the GMCs but have having a hard time with the idea of buying brand new. I am also looking at used Expeditions. We’re working on paying off more debt and by that time should have quite a bit extra in our monthly budget for wiggle room on payments. I’m also planning to keep whatever I get until it basically dies. Is brand new worth it?  
What are y’all‘s thoughts on brand new cars?

98 Answers

+61 votes
by (9.6k points)
 
Best answer
I worked as a service advisor at car dealerships for the last 5 years. I’ve seen people drop thousands (even more than the value of the car) on repairs. For me personally we buy new. I’ve just seen too many horror stories. We buy new and get the factory warranty plus we buy extended warranty in finance so we have coverage after. If new is too expensive then I would recommend a certified preowned. That gives you a limited factory warranty and then I would still purchase the extended warranty. If you guys keep your cars long periods of time I think it’s worth it. Having the security of 4 years (or whatever GMC warranty is) of mechanical coverage plus the extended warranty coverage (probably another 4-5 years) is great peace of mind specially with kids. Also the factory warranty and extended warranty cover roadside assistance so we don’t have that on our car insurance policy cause no need to pay multiple people for the same coverage.  
by (1.8k points)
@finicky2385 This is kind of where we’re at with my current vehicle. It’s a 2013 and since I hit 100k it seems like we’ve put a ton of money into it. I love it, but it’s time to let it go.  
+53 votes
by (800 points)
Nope. You lose so much value as soon as you drive it off the lot.  
+5 votes
by (640 points)
Not worth it!  
+54 votes
by (2.3k points)
Get a slightly use car. I bought my car a year old with 13k miles on it.  
by (4.7k points)
@idolater I agree. We bought a $39, 000, year old car with 6, 000 miles on it for $23, 500. It was my favorite car ever and we didn’t have to take the ding on depreciation. We buy lots of cars (husband’s love any hobby). We never buy new.  
+47 votes
by (3.7k points)
Not worth it! Bought my Jeep February 2018, was $29, 900 before interest and tax and licensing. It’s worth BARELY $20, 000 and I owe $26, 000 and it’s only 3% interest lol.  
+61 votes
by (7.6k points)
Right now, the deals on new cars make them more worth it than used. If you can buy cash or low interest rate (like 4% or less) then it's totally worth it in my opinion. assuming you get a good deal on the sticker price. Just try to get ahead of the depreciation by putting some money down.  
+3 votes
by (860 points)
Look at certified pre-owned! So you still get something new, but someone before you took the hit on losing $$
+90 votes
by (6.7k points)
Check out Dave Ramsey on cars. He has a good YouTube on how to keep upgrading your vehicle and paying yourself instead of finance. To buy a new car on finance is just a no.  
by (13.2k points)
@himation Started my "newer car fund" this yr. #babystep6  
by (6.7k points)
@rhapsodize we are living forever on step 3A.  but car maintenance is going up by the month and I seriously need to start a ‘heap of junk’ fund because we are going to get caught out.  
+26 votes
by (3.4k points)
New cars have cheaper insurance . I purchased a 2019 Mercedes glc 300 in 2018 it was the test drive car . I got a good discount as it was at the end of its test drive life if 3000 miles . It was still considered brand new as it was never purchased so we got the best of both worlds look for those kinds
+79 votes
by (4.5k points)
We’re fans of new, my car and husbands truck have both been purchased new, we knew we were going to finance, and the interest rates were under 1%, compared with a used car where interest rates were 5-7%, it was worth it for us. And the warranties are nice too! We did pay my car off 2+ years early, and once we both go back to work we’ll focus on his truck.  
+1 vote
by (1.5k points)
Worth every penny to me. I will always lease.  
+2 votes
by (2.7k points)
We always try to do New, less problems with the vehicle and it gives you a piece of mind when you still have the warranty and extended warranty. You don’t have to worry about anything for years. Used vehicles usually have problems or start having problems after 3 years.  
by (2k points)
@schach this! I literally just posted this exact same thing!  
by (510 points)
@schach yes! I agree. Only new vehicles here.  
+59 votes
by (2k points)
I think buying new is worth it, when it comes to piece of mind. Manufacturer warranties are included for upwards of 100k miles. Plus, if you drive it till it dies, then it makes it worth it. I use this as an example: I spend 20k on a used car. In 6 months tires- 500-1000 (depending on the type of car). In a year - the water pump dies - that can get pricey we will estimate 1500 In 2 years - struts, brakes, rotors - another 500-1000 In 4 years, transmission work - again 500-1000 In just 4 years- you've needed 4500-5000 worth of work on the car (estimated). You could have spent that money up front on a new car and not have to worry so much about some of the mechanical things or tires. This is obviously as long as the new car doesn't turn out to be a lemon. In my experience, buying a new car resulted in lower car insurance rates too. I have had horrible luck with used cars and won't go back. But that's my opinion.  
by (9.6k points)
@germanic19 this is exactly right! This question is gonna have everyone giving their own opinions and you’re gonna have 50% saying they got perfect used cars and 50% saying buy new. And if you keep cars for long periods of time which is sounds like she does who cares of the value when you drive off the lot.  
by (2k points)
@finicky2385 my thoughts exactly. I guess I could give my personal experience on a used car. 2006 Saturn Aura. 1 owner. 60k miles. It was worth over 10k and I paid 9500 when I bought it. 4 months after I bought it, transmission went out. The bill from the dealer was 5, 000. I'm not even joking. Another mechanic wanted almost 6k on a car that I spent 9500 bucks on. Wtf. Thankfully I did pay for the extended warranty and it covered it less $100 deductible. Had I not done that when I bought the car though, I would have been in the hole something fierce on this POS. Since then I refuse to by a used car. My husband's commuter car is used, private seller and its been great. So these things happen, but still not worth the headache with kiddos, in my opinion.  
by (2.4k points)
I hate to say this, but Saturns are a bad example. They are terrible. I had one that lasted 3 months b4 the transmission went out. I've bought new and used and preferred used due to cost. If you're going to get a used car find something with low miles and check the car history. Most used dealers have that information free b4 you purchase.  
by (2k points)
@percaline well we certainly did our research, checked the carfax, had it checked by a certified trusted mechanic and it did not matter. So not really a bad example because it could happen with any car. The car is long gone and never again.  
+88 votes
by (2.8k points)
I only buy new just because I’m scared to buy used and not knowing how it was taken care of. I drive them until the wheels fall off though. My last one I bought in 2009 and it just died in October with almost 250, 000 miles on it. I bought a new one and will pay it off as quick as I can and drive it until it won’t go anymore.  
+107 votes
by (1.4k points)
Ford > GMC
+92 votes
by (3.7k points)
NO. Never buy brand spanking new! Cars devalue so much immediately being driven off the lot. But a couple years old of you like newer, but NEVER brand new.  
by (3.7k points)
I agree. Even 2 years old makes a huge difference on price. (I've never owned a car less than 5 years old though). The payments just aren't worth it in my mind.  
+66 votes
by (1.2k points)
I prefer buying new and from the dealership that carries that vehicle (ie Toyota dealership for a Toyota). I have purchased a used car from a different dealership and it was horrible. They weren’t licensed to work on my vehicle and I was charged the deductible no matter what (even after their fault). I just bought another new vehicle two weeks ago for more room, projects, and expanding family.  
+17 votes
by (800 points)
We've done new the last 2 vehicles and just paid one of them off 2 years early. It's totally doable. We'll never do anything other than new.  
by (1.8k points)
@myungmyxedema this is our plan, to pay it off a few years early. It’s something I’m going g to drive for a while, so husband thinks new is the way to go.  
by (800 points)
@theorist Faver it really is the best way. I've had my van since 2016 and only had to do normal routine maintenance and I still love it. Even more so now that it's paid off  
+46 votes
by (740 points)
I would do it. Piece of mind. Don’t know what’s all been done to a used car
+78 votes
by (2.2k points)
Ahhh this is such a tough topic for me. A few years ago I paid off my “somewhat new vehicle” only to total it 2 years later. I needed up financing a Jeep (first time buying new). I wanted to look good and have this awesome new shiny vehicle to show off. looking back now I wish I would have just gotten a cheaper vehicle and paid it in full. for me there’s piece of mind in buying something that no one has driven before. but the payments are repetitive. The good thing though is my husband and I share a vehicle so we’re saving a lot that way too! Good luck!  
+3 votes
by (7.1k points)
I have no issue with buying new only because I personally have 0 luck with used vehicles. I had 3 lemons in 12 months, and had my only accident with the last one. So for me buying new and driving vehicles until they die is what I will be doing. But my parents had good luck with used vehicles so it really depends. All that being said, the next car I purchase I hope to be able to pay in full before I drive it off the lot.  
+94 votes
by (4.1k points)
Get a pre owned certified. New loses its value once it leaves the lot.  
+27 votes
by (1.7k points)
I have always wanted to buy used but just can’t bring myself to do it yet. I like knowing that the vehicle has been maintained and well taken care of. I am also a germ and clean freak.  
+5 votes
by (8.8k points)
I bought a brand new car once. I will never do it again. To me the price isn’t worth it. It depreciates so much just driving it off the lot. But that’s just me.  
+37 votes
by (1.6k points)
I think a brand new car would be worth it. My husband and I always bought used cars but they would only last a couple years. We ended up buying an older Dodge Durango from a little dealership and it was the worst decision we ever made. The vehicle had so many mechanical issues. About 5 years ago we bought a certified used car and it’s been working out fine until the transmission started sticking. The initial warranty was only short term (like 6mos to 1yr). I spoke with service department and they explained in the long run it’s better to buy brand new because the warranty is better and longer. My only suggestion would be to investigate the vehicles you are interested in and compare to make sure you get the best value. I am already thinking about buying a new one that holds it value over time.  
by (1.8k points)
@potentate8 this is my thing. I’ve never owned new. My current car is a 2013 purchased in 2016. It’s been good, but hasn’t lasted as long as I’d like without some major repairs
by (1.6k points)
@theorist Faver I’ve never owned new either. I’ve always gone for the cheaper price. My current car is 2015 purchased in 2016. I’ve learned that buying brand new with a vehicle that holds it value would be worth it, especially since I plan on keeping it long term. Our goal now is to get our debt down so when we do buy new the payments won’t hurt our wallet as much.  
+18 votes
by (4.2k points)
Buying new is the worst thing you can do, as soon as you drive off that lot your value decreases viciously . Buy a couple years used.  
+17 votes
by (3.3k points)
I have a 2002 Dodge Durango with over 200, 000 miles on it; and still going strong ! I passed it down to my son (new driver 16) and leased a 2019 Dodge Durango. I picked it up in October 2019; it was a demo and the new year was coming. Therefore it was 10, 000 off (or so they say) When the lease is up we plan on buying it. Therefore the payments are affordable and the car is brand new. My opinion is new; by the time you pay off used and any issues along the way I think new is the way to go. A used car loan will or can be just as many years Dodge has amazing deals and is the best car I have ever owned. I say look for a leftover at the beginning of the year! Good luck on your decision I know it isn’t easy  
+45 votes
by (2.4k points)
I did not grow up in a household that was privileged enough to afford new vehicles, so I honestly do not know what that’s like. As an adult, we have always bought certified used and have not had any issues. We have been driving my used Flex 7 years and my husbands used Impala 4 years. Neither one have had any mechanical issues because we take care of them like we are supposed to. Basic tire changes and maintenance have not offset the extra $12k that a brand new one would have cost. especially when you will have those things anyway with a new car!  
by (1.8k points)
@bushey girl, I didn’t either. That’s why I’m terrified of the idea of a brand new one.  
by (2.4k points)
@theorist Faver I think for you guys it will also depend on what can be written off for the farm. I grew up in a dairy community and many of them were able to write off suburbans as farm vehicles. Granted, that was the 90s. Things might have changed since then lol.  
by (1.8k points)
@bushey oh, for sure. It’ll be a write off, but still a he’s choice when it comes to the monthly payment  
+76 votes
by (830 points)
If you're planning to drive it til it dies, the depreciation is irrelevant. We always buy new with the same intent
by (1.8k points)
@kinfolk that’s what husband keeps telling me. He said it’s worth it for peace of mind.  
by (830 points)
@theorist Faver it totally is!  
by (1.3k points)
@kinfolk this is what we do too. We bought new cars in the last two years. The cars we drove previously were from 1999 & 2000. ‍♀️
by (3.7k points)
@kinfolk Regardless of intent, financially it makes no sense. If you’re making payment, then what happens if you get into a wreck a year after you buy and are $10, 000 upside down on your loan? If you buy it outright, then you are literally overpaying for it because the minute you drive off the lot it’s worth 10%less than you just bought it for.  
+32 votes
by (1.1k points)
New cars are not investments. They depreciate quickly. There's nothing wrong with buying new as a splurge if it makes you happy, but it is a poor choice if you have other debt. You pay a premium for new. Every car I've ever had was bought used, and we currently own both vehicles. I LOVE not having car payments and will never go back to it again.  
+56 votes
by (790 points)
I prefer new vehicles. I won’t ever buy a used one again. We got great interest rates for both of our new cars. One was 0% interest and the other was 1. 5%, but a used car would have had an 8% interest rate.  We have since paid both cars off and hope to hand them to our daughters when they’re teens.  
+25 votes
by (2.1k points)
If you dont want to go new certified is the way to go
+41 votes
by (12.6k points)
We get a brand new car every 8-10 years. I know people say buy used, but we keep them for a long time so it’s a little splurge for ourselves every decade or so.  
by (1.8k points)
@throe exactly what I was thinking. My husband told me that I need to love it enough to drive it for at least 7-8 years, whether new or used, so I’m thinking I’ll just get new
+34 votes
by (1.6k points)
First thing to check for is financing specials (if financing) dealerships are hurting a bit due to covid19. I just saw a commercial for 0% for 60 months. If trading in you do not have to accept the 1st offer and demand an extended warranty. Never agree to the first Anything! Let them know they are not the only ones who want your business. Also there are repo auctions in some areas. Good luck!  
+84 votes
by (1k points)
Buy a relatively new but used car with low miles. Like 10k per year of age. Buy a Honda or a Toyota.  
by (1.8k points)
@oh830 I wish we could. My mother in law loves her 4Runner that she has had forever. Unfortunately they don’t make anything big enough for us.  
by (1k points)
@theorist Faver there’s a big Toyota suv I can’t remember what it’s called but it’s big. Has 3 rows of seats.  
by (1.8k points)
@oh830 yes. The sequoia. I’ve heard terrible things about it from people who have owned them  
+79 votes
by (3.7k points)
It really scares me how many people don’t understand what a bad financial decision it is to buy brand new. Regardless of how long you plan to keep it, life happens. If you are making payments and get into an accident a year after you buy it, then you are already largely upside down on your loan. Even if you’re buying it outright, you’re overpaying for it off the bat because it’s worth 10% less as soon as you drive it off the lot. The sweet spot for buying cars is usually 3-4 years old, just make sure you do research and buy certified pre-owned.  
by (16.2k points)
@aggappera not necessarily if you get gap on both the vehicle insurance and through the dealership. I can only speak with my experience though.  
by (12.6k points)
@aggappera we have gap insurance to cover any cost if we were in an accident. People like having different things. I like having a new car and driving it for a long time. My money is there to pay for necessities and the extra is for the wants we have. A new car is definitely a want, but what’s the point of working hard and budgeting if it’s not to get you your wants?  
by (3.7k points)
That is very true. Doesn’t that just seem like so much money to shell out for the sake of justifying buying a brand new car though? When you could just buy a car that’s a few years older at a more financially reasonable price tag?  
by (3.7k points)
@throe I 100% agree with the wants, my fam does the same. I hold no animosity at all towards anyone who chooses to buy new, like at all. I just don’t know that in a budgeting group that’s sound financial advice to give someone ya know? Like that’s a big money suck up front unfortunately
+50 votes
by (830 points)
Both hubby and I never owned a brand new vehicle until this year. We went in with the intention of buying a used truck with 9% interest rate, but we were presented with my husband dream truck brand new with 3% interest. It was impossible to turn it down personally because we plan on keeping our truck until it’s dead-dead. It’s been almost a year later and he still loves it as much as he did when he test drove it. So for us it was the best choice.  
+15 votes
by (16.2k points)
We bought a Yukon brand new and I will be forever grateful we did. We haven’t had anything but routine maintenance and trucks and large suvs hold their value more than any other vehicles sold. I would say that since you are on the newer stages of having family grow in the vehicle, it would be a wise investment.  
+97 votes
by (1.6k points)
Honestly buy a 2020 or 2019 it will save you thousands
+45 votes
by (10.9k points)
We bought a brand new 2018 Honda Pilot and couldn't be happier! They also offered 0. 9% financing on new ones so it was a no brainer for us since a used one had a higher interest rate. Go for it!  
+1 vote
by (2.1k points)
I might get flack but I prefer new and I lease my vehicles. I can afford the payments so why not?  
+108 votes
by (1.3k points)
My husband and I bought a brand new minivan back in 2012. We had four children at the time and we viewed it as the vehicle that our kids were going to grow up with so in that sense we never viewed it as an investment or have any concern for depreciation. It’s our family vehicle. At the time we bought a lifetime warranty on the vehicle. We are responsible for all maintenance but the warranty seems to come pretty much all repairs so we’re getting our moneys worth on that. Last summer alone we got an brand new A/C system, our window was stuck down so that motor was repaired, new shocks and some bar that holds our engine up has broken so that was replaced. I’d say if your planning on holding on to the vehicle get a good warranty for later on.  
+20 votes
by (5.5k points)
As someone who works at a dealership, I’d buy a slightly used one. You will save a ton of money, we sell used vehicles with less than 200 miles on them! We offer free certified warranties on some of our vehicles, so I’d also look into finding one that is free. Also, I’m not pressuring you into buying from my dealership, just my opinion and experience.  
+6 votes
by (3.7k points)
I bought the previous year’s model for a huge discount! To me, it’s worth investing in something reliable and safe for my family
+57 votes
by (3.1k points)
I like new. I have a cheaper end. Nothing extravagant. but I have had so many issues w expensive repairs in past with older used cars that I paid cash for.  
+100 votes
by (2.4k points)
I personally regret buying my new vehicle. It will be paid off in a couple of months but I honestly regretted it about 6 months into the loan. I have worked hard to pay it off early. I told my husband I will drive it until it falls apart and can't be fixed. I would go with a used vehicle.  
+105 votes
by (6.7k points)
I’ll only pay cash or finance at 0%. Anything else is giving away my money.  
by (4.6k points)
@zapata this  
+81 votes
by (4.6k points)
I never have and never will own a brand new car. Cars aren’t my thing and it’s totally not worth it to me.  
+42 votes
by (5.5k points)
I’ve bought new but the perfect time to buy new is like when they get their 2021 stock in. I bought a new vehicle around Sept/Oct because they already had the next years stock in and needed room on the lots. I ended up getting an extra 5k discount on top of the sale price and was still able to get all the extended warranties (which meant no oil changes, everything fixed with a small $100 deductible). Drove my new car off the lot with 7 miles on it.  
by (1.8k points)
@cathey Nice! We’re considering this. Since gmc is getting a new body style this summer I’m sure they’ll have killer deals on the 20’s.  
by (5.5k points)
@theorist Faver Yes that’s perfect! I hope everything works out for you guys!  
+79 votes
by (9k points)
I like having new cars I actually always lease mine! Some people like having nice new cars! It’s not for everyone!  
+56 votes
by (3.5k points)
We bought a new Tahoe, put 20k miles on it, and lost 28k in value when we traded. Don’t buy new.  
+91 votes
by (5k points)
I’ve had so much bad luck with GMCs however our old Ford Expedition was amazing and took care of our family of 6. Trucks are very expensive. We want a new truck but the payments is ridiculous. However ford is amazing and last a lifetime. Our last expedition was still running with original motor and transmission with 240, 000 miles. It’s a decision you have to make. You can get a lower year that still will do your family well with a lesser payment or even pay upfront for it.  
+58 votes
by (1.5k points)
I only buy new car and drive them for a minimum of 13 to 15 years . At the same time I only negotiate a 0% interest . 5 years before buying we start saving and have a minimum of 10000 for a down payment .  
+98 votes
by (4.5k points)
We bought a new car a few years ago and do not regret it. I would recommend buying when the models are changing over because prices and financing rates (unless you are able to pay cash) tend to drop then. We bought the maintenance plan and didn’t have to pay for anything out of pocket for almost 2 years. I prefer new because I know exactly what maintenance was done and when. We had to buy a used car when my son was born because we needed two vehicles again and were lied to by the dealership ship and had to pay $600 extra out of pocket to ensure the car would pass inspection so we could tag it within my states allotted time.  
+98 votes
by (3.9k points)
I always by used with low mileage. I’m still driving my 2002 Tahoe and also have a 2011. I like other things more than cars. like traveling. I would rather drive a used car with no payment and be able to go to Disney than a brand new car with a car payment.  
+20 votes
by (14.1k points)
It’s up to you. I prefer to buy a car that is one to two years old. Let someone else pay the depreciation. We try to buy a new to us vehicle every 5 years. So we keep each one 10 years.  
+91 votes
by (2.5k points)
We’ve had luck with new and used. We bought a 2007 tundra when gas was almost $5 a gallon for 21k out the door, cause of the depreciation of a Toyota after owning it for 5 years it was still valued at 19K  got lucky.  
+8 votes
by (16k points)
Don’t buy American cars. They are awful. My Mitsubishi is 20 years old and I’ve never paid more than $700 for a repair. It has 154k miles and it’s my first car. Still going strong. My dad’s Honda hit 639k miles before he got another. He even got $700 trade in, with all those miles. If you insist on buying new, at least check out a dealer car. My friend works at a Mazda dealership. He gets a new car every 3k miles. They severely mark down the price and it becomes certified pre-owned. Sounds like you’re set on buying new, though.  
by (1.8k points)
@theorist Iannotti I’m not necessarily set on it. I’m just disappointed that I’ve had mine for 4 years and we’re having issues. I drive about 30-40k miles a year so I need something that will last. I’m already really trying to justify the new Yukon’s  
by (1.8k points)
Agreed. Husband prefers to only buy American vehicles (he’s a true Texan farmer, through and through) and it’s like pulling teeth to get him to even look at the Ford vs GMC. It doesn’t matter what I’m purchasing, needed or not. I’m always second guessing myself.  
+23 votes
by (9.2k points)
I’ve never bought a new car, always used, financing. Now going forward, I’ll not only buy use but pay cash
+76 votes
by (2.7k points)
I bought a new car once and it worked out fine. I would just be sure not to buy a car that loses value quickly. Some are definitely better than others there.  
+15 votes
by (2k points)
If you are financing the car I would not buy new. A car depreciates significantly in the first 3 years. (The car we leased value went down by half! ) So if you aren’t paying cash you will likely have to pay gap insurance in case the vehicle is totaled (accident, natural disaster, stolen, etc. ) and value of the car is less than what you owe.  
+18 votes
by (1.4k points)
I bought my Chrysler 300 brand new in 2009. It was close to the end of the model year, it had been a trade from another dealer (still new), and had been around for a couple of months. Because it was an "aged unit", it had special rebates on it, which just took care of the negative equity in my trade.  But this was also during the recession, and Chrysler was putting Lifetime Powertrain Warranties on certain vehicles that were manufactured between certain dates. Mine was one of those. I used to drive a lot for an old job, and I've still got the same 300, with 227000 miles on it. It ate a transmission, which was covered by the powertrain warranty. Other than regular maintenance, there's not been any major issues. I've taken care of it, and it's also been used and abused, but it's still going. I sooooooo want to get something different, but I really can't justify the payments on a new vehicle. Lol I said when I bought Tank (that's my car's name), that I was going to drive it until the wheels fell off, so I guess I'll just keep driving it.  Long story short, new vehicles aren't terrible. But you have to be smart about the purchase. ‍♀️
+50 votes
by (820 points)
Go two years old. Save tons.  
+1 vote
by (2.4k points)
I bought a 2005 mercury mariner and have put every single mile on it. 15 years later and she stills runs like new. I have kept her garaged and maintained. Find a good reliable mechanic and vehicles should last a long time.  
by (2.4k points)
We have 2 other vehicles, both purchased used. but garaged and maintained. so our "newest" is a 2011.  
+48 votes
by (4.2k points)
Generally I dont think most cars are good to buy new but some, it is hard not to. I have purchased 2 Hondas new. They dont depreciate very quickly so a used Honda at used car rates was actually more than a new one. I just bought a new, well used, car last week. It is a great time to buy. I didnt end up going with a Honda but I was presented with $6k off sticker on an EXL Honda Pilot with . 9% financing. I still have my 2005 Pilot with 240k miles sitting in my driveway. I highly recommend one. It was just too big for me at this point in my life but was great when my kids were little. Barely put any money into that wasnt routine.  
+87 votes
by (4.2k points)
My dad works in the car industry and he said that with the coronavirus stuff that dealers are not marking down new cars because they aren’t going to be getting anymore for a little while. He suggested to wait until around November/December and get the 2020 cars new when the 2021 cars come out
by (1.8k points)
@citronellal this is what I was considering. I’m sure the 20’s will get marked down when the new 21 body style comes out.  
+101 votes
by (1.2k points)
I bought a brand new car in 2005 - a 2006 Scion XA, which is made by Toyota. We still have, I only got a different car bc it was too small for carseats. That's 15 years and over 160k miles and (knock on wood) have had no major issues, just regular maintenance. We needed something bigger bc of the carseats, and bought a used GMC Terrain in 2012. It was a 2011 with about 30k miles on it. We have had SO MANY problems with it, including having to have the engine rebuilt. We live in the Houston area and air conditioning keeps going out, it is a complete nightmare and I can't wait to get rid of it. I don't know if it's the make/model, the fact that it was used, or just bad luck, but I am scared to buy another used car because of it and I refuse to buy another GMC because of it. I really want to get a Toyota 4Runner or Sequoia, but they are so expensive. In my opinion, I would buy new over used if its affordable in your budget.  
by (800 points)
@valerle Marshall In HOUSTON too and have driven a 4Runner for the past 9 years. Honestly you can get one for a good price, like in the 20ks and they hold value so well. I put nothing down on my last one not by choice and a year later the value of my car was 5k higher than what I owed. I’m at 90k miles on mine now and never had an issue mechanically, just oil, brakes and tires.  
+22 votes
by (800 points)
We only buy imports bc they hold their value and can be driven til they die. We just got a new truck bc my husband was in a wreck got 19k for our paid off tundra put that down and financed the rest with intentions of paying it off next year. I drive a 4Runner paid off now and will trade in next year for a sequoia and my car will still be worth 20k to put down on a new one. Used Toyota’s cost almost as much as new ones.  
by (16k points)
@loony10 yes! My Mitsubishi is 20 years old  
by (800 points)
@theorist Iannotti yup! The only domestic I drive died super quick on me, my nissans and Toyota’s have lasted me forever!  
+35 votes
by (9.7k points)
I will never buy a new car again.  
by (680 points)
@zapata Peek I completely agree with you  
+106 votes
by (1.2k points)
My last 3 cars have been brand new and it’s always been a great experience for us. We’ve always had a good downpayment and gotten good deals on them though so we haven’t ever been upside down on them! You easily can get upside down on them though.  
+46 votes
by (2.5k points)
I bought new 2x. 18 years ago and a year - almost ago, 18 years ago we bought as basic as we could: 11 k no auto anything. We just sold it last year: My car died to where it didn’t make sense to poor more $ into it Also last year we have 2. My husband got a new to him one for the other 18 year old car、which we paid less than the bee one for. Mine we tried many used but we paid more because of intrest: I got 1 vs 7 % and it cost less! For new.  
+26 votes
by (810 points)
I bought brand new, but it was my first car, and I’ve grown up with parents who take care of cars so they last, my sister moved in to college in the same car she was brought home from the hospital in lol. Obviously you need to do what it best for you, but have you considered other brands? Honda is a great company their cars last (see above lol) and they can be more affordable depending on what you get
by (1.8k points)
@farrell @valerle Husband won’t budget on American made vehicles. He has his mind set on a Yukon. It’s like pulling teeth to get him to even look at the slightly used expeditions.  
by (810 points)
@theorist Faver I don’t know if I’m understanding you. I know nothing about cars so I could be wrong lol but isn’t a Yukon American made?  
by (1.8k points)
@farrell @valerle yes. That’s what he has his mind set on. He’s only every owned Chevrolet/GMC. Getting him to even consider the fords is difficult, much less a foreign made vehicle.  
by (4.7k points)
@farrell @valerle I think it autocorrected budge to budget.  
+61 votes
by (1.2k points)
Pre cash for trash I would never buy new. Now since the used car market has been so depleted the prices are unbelievable, and by the time you factor incentives for buying new it's barely a difference in the long run. You're just not buying someone else's problems at that point.  
+19 votes
by (10.4k points)
Those are both real good vehicles. I understand how he feels growing up on a cattle farm it was domestic trucks only and better not mention Ford. . Recommend to look for the best deal on new vehicles. Don't pay even invoice price and they refuse to go below that just walk away. I did it all by emails with 10 different dealerships in the region and had them bid best price to me with everything I wanted. Also buy near end of month or holiday like Memorial weekend. I searched for the best finance rate and the dealership matched that and threw in 6 synthetic oil changes which can be costly at the dealership close to $100 for a truck. The process took about 10 weeks but I paid $14500 less off MSRP on a Limited1500 Ram truck. At the end I negotiated for the price out the door included tax and registration and gave a down payment. We love the truck and driven it alot including to Canada for vacation.  
by (3.8k points)
@undercroft3 teach me your ways  
by (22.3k points)
This! I bought a truck in much the same way a few months ago. I saved 6k and got more options than I was looking for but now I'm glad I have those options.  
by (10.4k points)
@stalwart it takes some time alot of research and patience is a virtue. I have negotiated for used cars and give them my price out the door and they would beg for more but I don't budge because I did my homework on the car. I know how much it's worth how long it's been in the car lot and my credit is excellent. I learned this from my daddy who was a farmer. The key is having knowledge before going to the dealership and a budget. Don't let them sell you extra stuff or use any trade-in on the negotiating. You can do that later if you want.  
+61 votes
by (3.2k points)
I bought a new in 2015 never had problems had to get rid of it so we could buy our house. Bought a used and we had so many problems with it (Range Rover) in just 2 years the car had over 20k in repairs. But thank god we had extended warranty and we only paid $300 for all that needed to be done. we just bought 2 new cars. We honestly like having New cars because we know they will “last” and they have warranty till certain miles. And we always get extended warranty.  
+12 votes
by (1.2k points)
I see a car an a necessity not an investment that I'm looking to make a return on. If you get a vehicle that will serve your family well for a long period of time, the cit associated will have been worth it. If you do not intend to keep the vehicle for a long time and get your money's worth from it, then brand new is jot a good idea.  
+81 votes
by (830 points)
We just bought a new 2019 truck (600 miles) with 0% interest for 7 years, along with extended warranty for 8 years and our lease is 6 years. It was about $75 more than we budgeted for but the extended warranty and safety features (plus, $0 deductible and so many other factors) it was worth it. Our insurance also went down about $15 because of it. Plus, our dealership gave us a bunch of lifetime warranties and 2 years worth of oil changes & for the truck we bought, those run about $250 a piece so ‍♀️(3 each year). Definitely buy new. All the extras make it worth it in the end.  
+32 votes
by (840 points)
We bought a brand new car in 2018, paid it off within a year but have always regretted the brand new purchase. We paid 43k for it and I wish we would have spent considerably less on a 2-3 year old car. We could have saved ourselves close to 15k and put that on our mortgage instead. Hindsight is a great thing!  
+24 votes
by (1.6k points)
My husband is a mechanic and works at a dealership and will never buy brand new. You loose too much when you drive off the lot in value. Find a newer used car and you'll get a much better deal on it
+31 votes
by (1.9k points)
I prefer new, or at least within 2 years. My current car I got a great deal on, it was a 2014 (bought it in 2016) with less than 20k miles on it. I’m looking to buy new again this time around though. I commute approx. 400 miles per week and I just can’t swing buying a car with higher mileage.  
+101 votes
by (1.9k points)
I would look at 2019/2020 with factory warranty and get the extended warranty. I still have my 2009 but when the time comes for me to get a new on I will be looking for a certified used that has very very few miles on it and the previous year so that I know I'm not paying thousands extra just to drive it off the lot and lose value.  
+15 votes
by (2k points)
I prefer new, our last 3 cars have been brand new. The most recent being just a few weeks ago a 2020 Tahoe. It’ll be the car I drive til it dies since it’s finally big enough for our family. The warranty is worth it for me. The dealership I bought my Tahoe at has a lifetime warranty on all oil soaked parts (engine, trans, drivetrain etc) as long as I own it with only a $100 deductible. That alone was worth it.  
+17 votes
by (1k points)
I prefer new cars and drive them 10 years or so rather than used cars which may have unplanned expenses that are hard to plan for
+28 votes
by (2.7k points)
My husband is a mechanic so we will never buy a new car. He's more than once fixed up a $500-$1000 vehicle and we don't have a payment. We love tht yukon XLs we've had. They were a 2000 and 2002. We did make payments on tht first one. Then it got wrecked and we got our 2ns one. If you're paying cash I who cares if it's new?! If you make payments remember the interest. On our $330 truck payment we pay over $100 a month in interest  Best of luck! And congrats and having 4 kiddos soon  
+3 votes
by (670 points)
I typically buy brand new cars. I’m not someone who has the skill to fix things myself and I was able to get 0. 9% interest rate which made me feel okay with it. That’s just my thought process - I’m not saying it’s the right way to go or not though . It just works for me.  
+62 votes
by (5.8k points)
I brought my current car brand new but it was during the time when the next years models were coming in so they were trying to get rid of it. Before this one I use to buy used. I actually got a better interest rate on the new than I would have on the used car.  
+15 votes
by (13.8k points)
As someone who did buy new I'll never do it again. Buy something a yr only with about 12000 miles on it. You won't pay near as much for it plus it should still be in amazing condition.  
+73 votes
by (1.3k points)
I ended up purchasing new because it was cheaper than buying a 1-2 year old used. I bought at the end of 2019 when they were trying to get rid of the 2019 models and had quite a few of the exact model/color I wanted. Not all cars hold their value like my Honda CR-V, so I’d do some research! It’s all about what makes you comfortable.  
by (4k points)
@heyes71 just got out of a used Ford Flex that I ended up being upside down $10k (mainly because they do not hold their value) and into a brand new Honda Pilot and it really was the better deal. I've never had a brand new vehicle but always said if I did it would be a Honda because I'd keep it till it dies and they last forever and hold their value.  
by (1.3k points)
@relapse92 Nice! Yeah same with me, I never thought I’d buy new, but I found a deal I couldn’t pass up.  
+40 votes
by (2.4k points)
We always buy used but almost new. It saves a lot of money. I got my van with 8k miles on it for a ton less because it wasn’t brand new.  
+23 votes
by (3.2k points)
Brand new depreciates the second you drive it off the lot. Just by buying a year old, you can save so much! Look at mileage and features. For example, I finally had to buy new again this year after many years and many more miles on my old car. I was looking at 2016 Rogues but discovered the Rogue had a complete makeover in 2017. 2020s haven’t had any significant changes since the 2017 model, so why buy a more expensive year for the same model? The 2017 I ended up buying had 30k miles on it, zero accidents, and had been upgraded to all the most luxurious upgrades because it had been used as a company car for an executive. I saved about $10k by buying a 3-year-old model. I also make a list of non-negotiables and wants. A non-negotiable was 4WD, while heated seats were a want, for example.  
+77 votes
by (9.9k points)
Really depends. If you come across an amazing certified pre-own (I always look for the super low mile ones that was mostly from a lease). Plus extended warranty I think it’s worth it. Otherwise I don’t think buying new it’s horrible if all payments are within your budget.  
+73 votes
by (6.9k points)
I will be buying new but will make sure I get the best possible interest rate I can get. It will also be a drive it until it dies car. I need the reliability of a new car to last for many years. Since I have no plans to trade up every two years or whatever, and I have no other debt, a new car makes the most sense for me. This will give me time to also save up for a used car once this one does.  
by (1.8k points)
@potage9 good point! Yes. We live super rural and need reliability over everything else. Plus, we spend a ton of time (2-3 hours on school days) in the car so we splurge on comfort. I have a few small balances on credit cards that will be paid off soon and then I will definitely be looking for the best interest rate!  
+16 votes
by (1.8k points)
Thanks for the opinions, y’all! I think we’re going to suffer through the end of the year and reevaluate then. Hopefully we will find the perfect deal for us, whether it be new or certified used!  
+86 votes
by (3k points)
With a family your size and age of kids I agree an SUV is a good call. However, they are very, very expensive when bought new. I would look for a certified, slightly used SUV.  
+96 votes
by (3.6k points)
I usually don’t buy brand new but GMC/Chevy and other car makers are offering amazing financing deals on new cars right now because of COVID. If you have good enough credit to get 0% financing for 84 months, I almost feel like why not?  
+80 votes
by (800 points)
I have 4, ages 14, 12, 7, 5. Right now I have a paid for 2007 Van with 175k miles and a bad oil leak. I'm riding it til it dies then getting a "new to us" Yukon XL. I love them but I just can not bring myself to spend more on a vehicle than my mortgage balance. So for us the plan is a great used one with no more than 25k miles. My only new car purchase was the one prior to my van. I drove it for 11 years and only switched to the van bc baby 4 couldn't fit in my lil Elantra.  
+10 votes
by (800 points)
We just got a 2020 Tahoe. I absolutely love it. It’s definitely a splurge but my husband is a state trooper and he feels it’s a safety necessity. I DO NOT recommend the Ford Expedition as it’s turn ratio is almost non existent. The Tahoe drives like a smaller vehicle even though you’re up higher and are on a bigger chassis. The Tahoe seats 7 with seats that go down with just a click of a button, if you need more cargo space, ie. groceries for all those precious gifts from God!  
+30 votes
by (5.6k points)
Look for rental or leased vehicles. Companies have to keep up on maintenance and they are typically lower mileage.  
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