Is it really that much wiser to buy a used car over a new one?

Question

Right now I have a 2003 Rav4 that's paid off. I'm torn between a 2004 Trailblazer and a 2007 Rav4. I know everyone says 'buy used, it's cheaper' - and although I LOVE this Trailblazer, it doesn't have side airbags or eletronic stability control, and other new safety features, which the new Rav4 does have. Obvioulsy, the new Rav4 would cost a lot more money, but I'm leaning towards it might be worth it, to have all those safety features. What do you think? Thanks.

Answer 1

First off, anyone who would switch from a RAV4 to a Trailblazer is setting themselves up for a MAJOR disappointment. The RAV4 has consistently been one of the top rated small SUVs every year that it's been in production. The Trailblazer has been squarely at the opposite end of the spectrum.

The TB will use twice as much fuel as any RAV4 on the road. It's FAR more likely to roll in an accident or severe evasive maneuver than the RAV4. Lacking ESC, I wouldn't even want to rent one let alone own one.

Your current '03 RAV4 is probably still in excellent condition unless you've been abusing the piss out of it. Take care of it and you have at least another 10 years of faithful service in store before it starts to eat your lunch on repair bills.

Since your current ride is paid for, try this. Figure out how much the payments will run on the new RAV4. Dump that much money in savings every month as if you were making payments on the new one. In 4 or 5 years time you'll have enough in the bank to buy pretty much anything you want but if your '03 is still holding up well you may well look at your bank balance and say, "Hell no!"

But if you insist, give the new RAV4 V-6 a look. It will run the pants off a Jeep Commander Hemi and still get 25 MPG. But don't even mess with the TB. You'll regret it if you love your RAV4.

Answer 2

You know, it actually depends upon what you want. I bought my first car as a teenager, used. It was the last one. I'm with you on the safety features and plus I really like new technology. A good compromise might be buying one of the reconditioned Toyotas, Acuras, etc., that they go over with a fine-tooth comb and put a full warranty on. Most of them are only a year or two old and have all of the safety features and technology, plus you get the added benefit of buying a relatively new car that is maybe a little nicer than you would have been able to buy otherwise. While there is always a chance that you will get a stinker (that chance exists for a new car, too), if you stick to high quality brands, you will probably be okay. There are a LOT of folks out there that trade every other year, or so, and that is the market that you are looking for. Look at the leased cars, too; they have to go somewhere when they are turned in. I understand that CarMax and such really stand behind their vehicles.

Personally, I wil stick with new, mainly because I am really into hybrids and really new, great stuff is coming out all the time. Can't get that in the used market.

Best of luck to you, and hope that it works out well!

Answer 3

The cars you are looking at are pretty new anyways. So unless the owners totally neglected them or they were just plain abused daily. I would go with the used.

You will save thousands of dollars from a dealer. And you can actually haggle a price privately. No pushy salesman to bother.

Just have a mechanic look over the vehicle before you commit to it.


Stability control??? - - you will still crash even with this if you cant drive good. I have delt with many cars and I have purchased 43 brand new.
I will never buy a NEW car again - unless from a private owner.

Answer 4

I am 51 years old and all my life people told me don't buy NEW!!! After years of don't buy new, I went out and got a new car!! I will never do that again the payments are way to high when you drive the car off of the lot you just lost about $3.000.00 after 5000 mi for fun I went out to see what they would give me for a trade-in on a car that was very $$$$$ after they told me what my car was worth as a trade--in, I was in the hole big time and the people they were right DON"T BUY NEW!

Answer 5

By buying used you have to ask yourself this question. Why did the owner sell it? Am I buying someone else's problem. I always buy new because I then have a warranty and can go back to the dealer if something is wrong.

Answer 6

to be honest with you? buying used is taking on any / all problems last owner had and no warranty? umm if you can go the few $ extra? dont buy someone elses problems...
not to mention safety and insurance discount factors! Not to overlook them either....... air bags = lower rates warranty = lower rates, new = safer veh new= less smog inspection probs and hey its newright? love that new car smell dont you?