Is it good advice, never to buy the 1st year car model? Does same hold true with re-designed models?

Answer 1

We bought an SUV that was a first model year. There were lots of glitches, but otherwise we like it. We have test drove later models and have liked them much much better, and have noticed EXACTLY why they made some of the changes.

I would advise against first model years. Redesigns are OK.

Answer 2

consider what you are buying. a toyotaa car will probably do very well even as a first year model but same might not hold true for a buick. go towards brands that have had good track records. for example, i will buy thye redesigned toyota camry because it has had a goods record but not so much a redesigned cadillac dts or mercedces e class which have been known to give problems in the past.nevertheless, new cars are usually under warranty so if you have the money, buy anything you want as long as it is new, the problem is always later in thge life of the car. but if you dont earn a six figure salary and intend to keep the car more than a few years, i seriously advice sticking with the time tested and more common brands on the road.

Answer 3

I've heard this, but the only time i knew of it being true was my mom's taurus sedan. she had an 88 taurus and then, bought a 97. the 97 was the year they re-designed them into the oval-type design.
she had a fair amount of problems with it, which were mainly design related. one thing was the windows whistled even when totally up. it was something with the design of the window that there was some wind drag right by the window....it could get pretty annoying.

another thing to think about...
my friend bought a celica the year they were re-designed and it was horrible the first time to take it in for an oil change. jiffy lube had to call the manufacturer b/c they didn't know how to change the oil in the new design.....

we intend to buy a wrangle next year when they have the new 4-door design, however, i have thought about the curse of the 1st year redesign....
we'll probably still buy it. we love jeeps:)

take care.

Answer 4

It largely depends on the car.

The traditional wisdom from my grandfather was the first year of a totally new car, generally had kinks that still needed to be worked out, but his frame of reference was the good ole' big three.

Today things are more complex, What may seems as a totally new car could be a one off of another established vehicle platform. The Chrysler crossfire for example, is basically a c class Mercedes with different skin.

If it is a totally new drive train, frame, engine etc, then I personally would still wait, but if greater than 50% of the guts (again drive train, chassis, engine, transmission is already in production, then its usually fine.

The same applies to redesigns, if it is just cosmetic then no problem.

Answer 5

I have bought several first year model and ill be honest its a fifty fifty shot Ive had some that the garage has had mere then me and others that I had no problems with the best advice I could give you is wait at least three months then check consumer reports web site and see what there reliability rating looks like.I currently have the 07 Tahoe with no real problems but my grandfather has had his in the garage 3 times.

Answer 6

It completely depends on the brand. Chrysler/Dodge is probably the worst to buy a 1st year vehicle. Honda/Toyota probably the best.