Should we buy a brand new car or old used one?

Question

Which is better? To buy a brand new Suzuki or Honda(latest models)? Or to buy a used Toyota Corolla (older model) in the same price?

Answer 1

Carmax has many late-model Suzukis, Hondas and Corollas without having to deal with a used car dealership. By buying a 1-3 year old used car, someone else already ate the depreciation and the car is still covered under manufacturer's warranty as well as Carmax's 5 day return policy and 30 day (60 day in CT) warranty.

Answer 2

Comparing a Suzuki to a Honda? Honda, all the way! As for the used car/new car, I'd buy used, a couple years old. When you purchase a new car, the moment you drive that car off the lot, it depreciated(lost value), thousands of dollars in value, so it's something to really think about. Toyota Corolla is a great car also, basically any Toyota or Honda is well made and reliable. I'm a big fan of Honda and will tell most people asking about cars, the same thing I said here. I also have owned Toyotas, and still do, both get reasonable mileage, except for the ForeRunner, but you can always depend on them.

Answer 3

If you're looking at the Suzuki Forenza, Reno, or Verona, buying just about ANYTHING else would be a better idea. (The Vitara and SX4 are alright, it's just those 3)

Also, what Hondas are you cross-shopping against that Toyota? There is no way a used Corolla should be as much as a new Civic (unless it's a 4WD Matrix, maybe). Maybe a loaded 1 or 2 year old Corolla against a base Honda Fit. Otherwise you're getting ripped off.

Money-wise, buying used usually makes more sense, particularly when you're talking about reliable makes like Honda and Toyota. The only real reason to buy new is that you can order the exact car YOU want with the exact options YOU want. (That's much harder to do used.)

Answer 4

I had a friend some years ago who bought a brand new car which then sat in the garage for years. His excuse was that it would keep its value if it had little mileage on it. However, in reality, the engine seized through lack of use and the tyres more or less rotted and in the end it was pretty much worthless. Some people do have funny ideas.

Answer 5

Brand new Civics or Corollas go for 15,000-20,000. Used Civics and Corollas go for less than 15,000, but of course there used, have a lot more milage, ect. You decide just dont get a Suzuki(trust me)

Answer 6

Neither. Buy a late-model used car. Still reliable and not as much depreciation.

Answer 7

I always prefer to have a new one.............but all depends on the amount of tax you are going to pay. I meam this might need some sort of listing and pricing.
If you are the one who enjoys riding cars............go for new one.
I have GV susuki 2007 3 doors

Answer 8

choose your poison, a new car with few maint. problems but, a huge coupon book of payments

or

an older car with no payment's but, a large maint cost

Answer 9

LOOK FOR EITHER A 2006 HONDA ACCORD OR CIVIC, BETTER VEHICLE ALL AROUND.

Answer 10

Buying a used car from a dealer is in many ways similar to buying a new car. You have the option of paying in full or financing over time. You have comprehensive vehicle information. And – you have lots of pitfalls to avoid.
First, be well versed on the loan options and payment schedules available to you. Pay close attention to the loan details – the exact price, the amount you’re repaying, the finance charge, the APR, and the down payment required.
Dealers are required by the Federal Trade Commission to post a Buyers Guide in every used car for sale. The Buyers Guide will tell you:
• Whether the vehicle is being sold “as is” or with a warranty
• What percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under the warranty
• The major mechanical and electrical systems on the car, including any major problems to watch out for
• To get all promises in writing
• To keep the guide for reference after the sale
• To ask an independent mechanic to inspect the car before purchase
The Buyers Guide acts as law for the sales contract, and overrides any contrary provisions. If the Guide says the car comes with a warranty but the contract says the car is sold “as is,” the dealer must provide the warranty described in the Guide.
Several types of warranties can govern your used car:
• As-is. For all intents and purposes, this car has no warranty.
• Implied Warranty. State laws hold dealers responsible if cars don’t meet reasonable quality standards. Usually this applies to the basic functions of a car. A “warranty of merchantability” promises that the car will do what it’s supposed to – run. Watch in the contract or other written notices if dealers eliminate this implied warranty with “as is” or “with all faults” notations.
• Unexpired Manufacturer’s Warranties. With these, your car is still covered under the original manufacturer warranty. Ensure you have all the information on what’s covered, expiration date and miles, and necessary paperwork.
• Service Contracts. Providing repair and maintenance for a set time, service contracts are like warranties, but are not included in the price of the car. Consider these carefully, including the service offered and price.
Private Owners
Buying a used car from a private owner may be cheaper. But private sellers are not covered by the Federal Trade Commission’s rules and don’t have to use Buyers Guides. In addition, private sales are usually not covered by the implied warranties given for dealership cars, meaning most used cars will be “as is.”
Prior to making a purchase from a private seller, do your research. Find as much information online about the car’s major systems, and use that information as a shopping tool. In addition, don’t hesitate to have a privately sold car inspected by your mechanic.
No matter if you buy a car from a private seller or dealer, protect yourself by examining the car thoroughly, test driving it under varied road conditions, inspecting the car professionally, and checking the maintenance record. Following these steps can ensure your used car will be a reliable addition to your life, and not a regrettable lemon.


New Car
If you examine your needs rather than wants, you will quickly discover what the right car is for you. Take a moment to think about what you use your car for. How many people do you need to transport? What kind of driving do you most often do? How long is your commute? Is it important that your next vehicle get good gas mileage?

In too many cases people choose a car because it has an eye-catching style or it is a trendy favorite. If you go in this direction, you may either break your budget or have to go car shopping again soon. Let your needs, not your wants, drive your decision.

Here are a few other questions to keep in mind when you begin your car-buying process:

Do you want a manual or automatic transmission?
Do you really need four-wheel drive? Or all-wheel drive?
What safety features do you want?
Do you require a lot of cargo-carrying capacity?
Will you be doing any towing?
Will the car easily fit in your garage or parking area?

Regardless of whether you decide to buy or lease your next car, establishing a realistic monthly payment that will fit into your budget is a crucial first step. How much should this be?

A rule of thumb is your total monthly car payments — whether you own one car or more than one — shouldn't exceed 20 percent of your monthly take-home pay.

Check the Edmunds.com "Financial Calculators" to help you estimate what your monthly payment will be based on purchase price, down payment, interest rate and length of loan. Take the time to run the numbers now, before you go car shopping, print out the result and put this information into your car-buying folder. It will not only show you what you can afford, it will also help you control the numbers when you negotiate with a car salesman.

A lease requires little or no money up front and offers lower monthly payments. But when the lease ends you are left without a car and a need to replace it.

Buying a car is more expensive initially and the monthly payments are higher. But at the end of the loan, you will own a car you can still drive or sell.

Other key factors that differentiate leasing and buying include:

Advantages of Leasing
• You can drive a better car for less money
• You can drive a new car every few years
• No trade-in hassles at the end of the lease
Advantages of Buying
• When interest rates are low, it makes more financial sense to own a car rather than lease it
• No mileage penalty
• Increased flexibility — you can sell the car whenever you want
If you are still unsure whether to lease or buy, try letting the numbers help you make the right decision. Go to this Edmunds.com "Decision Calculator" and see how much leasing or buying will cost for the same car.

Today's new car (and truck) market is filled with great products. Most shoppers have difficulty keeping up with all of the vehicles manufacturers introduce and the changes they are making to their older vehicles, so it's important to do your research. Use Internet sites like Edmunds.com and Edmunds.com New Cars and Trucks Buyer's Guide to research all your choices before you hit the showrooms.

On Edmunds.com you can pick a specific car and bring up a list of similar cars in the same class. If you already have a car you are considering, this will be your starting point. Find the specific car you want on the web site by searching by Make, Type, Price Range or Market Segment. Once you have chosen your specific car, you will be on a Vehicle Detail page. This page has links to all the Car Pricing, Features, Reviews and Shopping options. Down the left hand side of the Vehicle Detail page there is a section called "Find a Related Vehicle" all of the links in this section help you to locate similar and competitive vehicles.

If, on the other hand, you have no idea where to begin you should might want to consult the Best Cars section of the site, or you can begin by searching by Make, Type, Price Range or Market Segment.
Here is an often overlooked fact of car ownership: one car might be cheaper to buy, but more expensive to own. Why? Even if two cars cost about the same to buy, one can depreciate at a different rate or cost significantly more to insure or maintain. Before you commit to one car, you should estimate the long-term ownership costs of the vehicle you are considering. These include depreciation, insurance, maintenance and fuel costs. The Edmunds.com Web site has a feature called Cost to Own, which presents this information in an easy-to-read table.

Another tool you should use is Edmunds.com's True Market Value (TMV®) pricing. By following the prompts you can find out what a fair price is for the car you are considering. The TMV price is the average price other buyers are paying for the same car in your area. TMV represents a good price for you and a fair price for the dealer.
Car buyers have been trained to visit local dealerships to find the car they want. In the Internet age, this is a waste of time and money. You can quickly cover more ground by shopping on-line. Car dealers are waking up to this new breed of shopper and have created Internet departments within their dealerships to serve the educated buyer who already knows what he wants and what he's willing to pay. The only thing you have to do in person are test drive the car and sign the contract. And in some cases, you can even have the car "delivered" to you by the salesperson.

Edmunds.com is your link to the automotive world. By reading our Web site you can not only educate yourself about cars, but also find local dealers, check interest rates for buying or leasing and calculate your exact monthly payment. Before ever heading out the door, you can answer almost any question you may have by searching Edmunds.com. Remember, you don't want to go to the dealership until you're really ready.
It's a good idea to make your initial contact with a dealership by phone before going there in person. This can give you some sense of the business atmosphere you will be dealing with throughout the buying or leasing process. Additionally, if you can establish a rapport with the Internet salesperson, it can boost your confidence before you visit the lot. Call the Internet department (sometimes also called the fleet department) and ask if the car you're looking for — in the right color and trim level — is actually on the lot.

You make your initial contact with the Internet manager either with an e-mail message or over the telephone. You can also send multiple dealer requests and narrow your search based on the tone of e-mail responses. If you called the Internet department, tell the salesperson that you want to set up a test drive — but that you won't be buying right away. However, assure them that you will buy there if you decide to purchase this particular make and model, and if they can offer the vehicle at a fair price.

Keep in mind that if you deal with the standard salesperson, he or she will try to start the negotiations at a high price with the expectation of being negotiated down. However, the Internet manager will often quote you a "rock-bottom" price as soon as negotiations begin. A few minutes taken to set up an appointment with the Internet manager can save you both time and money.
After the test drive, you should leave the car lot. Why? Because you will probably need to drive other types of cars at other dealerships. It's a good idea to do all of your test driving in one morning or afternoon. Driving the cars back to back will help you uncover even minor differences, which will lead to a more educated purchase decision.

So, how do you get out of the clutches of the salesperson? Generally, Internet salespeople are pretty mellow and won't pressure you to buy on the spot. Besides, you can remind them you still have other cars to drive and you can't make a decision yet. Most good salespeople will respect that. If they don't, you probably won't be coming back to make a deal with them anyway.