Thinking about buying a "new" car

If you drive so little, buy used. I would not suggest luxury as it just sits there and depreciates without you actually enjoying the car.

If you are going to buy, I suggest to look at a 3 yr-old

Honestly... Off lease. 3- 4 year old car. 60-80k max. Significant savings.

KevinM56081 wrote: ↑ Honestly... Off lease. 3- 4 year old car. 60-80k max. Significant savings.

60-80k max for a 3-4 yr old car? Would that be a MB S class or a Porsche? LOL

Maybe a 1 yr old or brand new sonata again if I can get a great deal. I like the new redesign they had for 2020 model yr.

Risk with getting a used or off lease car is how it was driven by previous owner.

Deal on new sonata I got 8 yrs ago was not that much more expensive than a 1 yr old or off lease sonata.

Speedy1 wrote: ↑ 60-80k max for a 3-4 yr old car? Would that be a MB S class or a Porsche? LOL

Maybe a 1 yr old or brand new sonata again if I can get a great deal. I like the new redesign they had for 2020 model yr.

Risk with getting a used or off lease car is how it was driven by previous owner.

Deal on new sonata I got 8 yrs ago was not that much more expensive than a 1 yr old or off lease sonata.

I think he meant 60-80k as in max mileage, not cost.

Hindenburg1 wrote: ↑ I think he meant 60-80k as in max mileage, not cost.

Correct. Thank you

This thread, for whatever reason, really resonated with me. Probably a result of shelter at home and boredom.

I've bought probably 2 dozen cars over 50 or so years, and save 5 of them were all used. I am very well aware of the arguments on 'both' sides of the aisle but my suggestion to the OP is this.

If a car is a utility type vehicle (e.g. it's a tool that gets you from point A to B), then based on the budget, why buy new?

The last 4 cars I bought are new, and the sole purpose was because it was much more than a tool but something to sit in on a lonely winter day in the garage and all of them are extremely low mileage. They are not tools to me, but something I have a deep emotional connection with. To give you an example, the other day when it was 2'C, I had to go and do a full manual wash (with underbody carriage rinse) to get what little salt there was off of it.

So as a gal who has owned several Corolla's early on in her career, and about to take possession of a Ghost, the only cars I have ever bought new are things that are a work of art to me - much less so than a tool.

Hopefully that helps. If it's a means to an end, buy used unless the intent is to drive it until the wheels fall off. If it's something you want to buy new because it's your baby and you'll keep it forever, then, sure, do just that.

What are you looking to drive? Are you looking for comfort, speed, or both?

Coming from a Hyundai, try giving a used Kia Stinger a shot. Practical and powerful. Looks badass and should be within your luxury price range. Lexus IS has that fun and practicality mix as well

If you are looking for pure power and fun with your budget, Mustang, Camaro, Challenger should do it. Many in the used car market.

Test drive em out and see what you like

I am also looking for a car. Just sold my 2007 Camry hybrid. Was a good car. Feel made a mistake swllung it.Looking for used camry hybrid, lexus es300h or an accord. Has anyone have experience with optima or fusion hybrid?

Speedy1 wrote: ↑
Maybe a 1 yr old or brand new sonata again if I can get a great deal. I like the new redesign they had for 2020 model yr.

You haven’t mentioned if you are financing or paying cash down. Just to keep in mind that interest rates on used cars are usually much higher. So you might save buying a 1-year old car (instead of new) but pay that savings back in interest costs.

Holystone wrote: ↑ You haven’t mentioned if you are financing or paying cash down. Just to keep in mind that interest rates on used cars are usually much higher. So you might save buying a 1-year old car (instead of new) but pay that savings back in interest costs.

I can pay all cash. But if there is a 0% or 1% interest promotion that would be an incentive.

My dream is to buy a brand new corvette. Wanted one since I was 16 yrs old. If I had an nice attached garage, good chance I would buy one. I only have a carport now.

Maybe I should buy a house with an attached garage so I can buy my corvette? LOL JK JK unless I win the 649.

yes I used to buy only new cars, but I am leaning towards 3-4 year old low mileage vehicles now. I find that there's not a lot of 2yr old vehicles on the used car market, 5 years or older models usually have higher mileage. The 3-4 year models are in the sweet spot. For example, I picked up a 2017 Lexus in May of this year with 35k km for about 55% msrp, that's a very decent price in my opinion.

What's wrong with your current car? It's not that old.

Jigsaw wrote: ↑ yes I used to buy only new cars, but I am leaning towards 3-4 year old low mileage vehicles now. I find that there's not a lot of 2yr old vehicles on the used car market, 5 years or older models usually have higher mileage. The 3-4 year models are in the sweet spot. For example, I picked up a 2017 Lexus in May of this year with 35k km for about 55% msrp, that's a very decent price in my opinion.

I'm with you! What model was your Lexus? We just bought a 2016 Venza XLE (msrp of $38,000 + delivery) for $21,000 with 38,500 kms. Our '09 Venza had 302,000 kms on it, so there's plenty of life left on this one.

zobi123 wrote: ↑ What's wrong with your current car? It's not that old.

I drive a 17.5 yr old Sienna with 262k kms on it.

I think it's time a "splurge". Can't take it to the grave so might as well enjoy some of it before it's my time.

I thought about buying a lexus.

"For example, I picked up a 2017 Lexus in May of this year with 35k km for about 55% msrp, that's a very decent price in my opinion."

Sounds like a great deal. Is that private sale or through a dealer?

smacd wrote: ↑ I'm with you! What model was your Lexus? We just bought a 2016 Venza XLE (msrp of $38,000 + delivery) for $21,000 with 38,500 kms. Our '09 Venza had 302,000 kms on it, so there's plenty of life left on this one.

2017 Lexus RX350 base. Congrats on the Venza XLE, it's a beautiful vehicle that you got at an excellent price.

Speedy1 wrote: ↑ I drive a 17.5 yr old Sienna with 262k kms on it.

Don't get out much eh.

Speedy1 wrote: ↑ I drive a 17.5 yr old Sienna with 262k kms on it.

I think it's time a "splurge". Can't take it to the grave so might as well enjoy some of it before it's my time.

I thought about buying a lexus.

"For example, I picked up a 2017 Lexus in May of this year with 35k km for about 55% msrp, that's a very decent price in my opinion."

Sounds like a great deal. Is that private sale or through a dealer?

Ah that makes sense then, go for it.
I thought you have the 2012 Sonata so I thought that was still a decent car.

Speedy1 wrote: ↑ I drive a 17.5 yr old Sienna with 262k kms on it.

I think it's time a "splurge". Can't take it to the grave so might as well enjoy some of it before it's my time.

I thought about buying a lexus.

"For example, I picked up a 2017 Lexus in May of this year with 35k km for about 55% msrp, that's a very decent price in my opinion."

Sounds like a great deal. Is that private sale or through a dealer?

I got mine from a dealer, it appears to be a lease return. The vehicle looks and drives like new.

Different vehicles have different resale values. Some cars hold their value well and others not as much. So narrow down what you want first, then worry about new vs used after. For example, trucks hold their value so well that it doesn't make sense to buy a 1 or 2 year old truck. With the higher interest rate, you won't save anything. Other cars lose 20% as soon as their driven off the lot.