Advice On Purchasing a New Car

[ScrimpAndSave]

Even a brand new Honda or Toyota is going to depreciate at least $5,000 as soon as your drive it off the lot.

[disneysteve]

Even a brand new Honda or Toyota is going to depreciate at least $5,000 as soon as your drive it off the lot.

No. It won't depreciate $5,000 if it only cost $15,000 new. It might drop 15 or 20% though.

[Seeker]

Even a brand new Honda or Toyota is going to depreciate at least $5,000 as soon as your drive it off the lot.

I think JC probably knows that. Unfortunately not a lot of used Hondas nor Toyotas are readily available. The ones that are available are more expensive just because the demand for them is so high; especially right now when everyone with the larger gas-guzzlers is looking to size down.

What about a certified pre-owned civic?

I have a 2001 Honda Accord Ex Coupe with leather interior and it an unbelievable car. It's never been in the shop (other than for oil changes and check-ups). I commute to work and already ha e 130,000 miles on it...still runs like new.

I personally would not go with any other Honda model other than an Accord or civic. Because of the budget constrictions, I would look into a pre-owned civic.

I'm wondering why the above bolded?

I just did a serch on the Internet for pre-owned Hondas within 30 miles of my location. Nothing under 10k. Normal price range for 2003-2004 Honda is more than 13k for these cars. Tons of bigger cars, Odyessy, Ridgeline, Pilot, even the CRV.... but nothing under 10k.

JC might be better off with a new car. These two (Fit & Yaris) get over 30 mpg too.

[ScrimpAndSave]

They don't handle as well or drive as comfortably. They feel like go karts.

I think for the extra $, it is worth it to have a car that drives beautifully and comfortably.

[Seeker]

They don't handle as well or drive as comfortably. They feel like go karts.

I think for the extra $, it is worth it to have a car that drives beautifully and comfortably.

Ah. You're talking about the smaller Hondas.

I was thinking that you were talking about all the models of Hondas and thought that you may think there's some problem with the larger Hondas as well.

I regularly drive a Honda CRV.... and have had no problems with it either... just normal ware and tear. I bought it in 1999 and it's not going to be replaced unless it totally drops dead. I love it.

I don't like the smaller cars either. The feel of driving them I can get used to..... but the biggest problem I have with them is the back windows and the blind spots on the sides.

Even with DH's Honda Civic Hybrid, I have to be very careful about those, because I'm so used to being able to see everything from my car. Plus the noise level in the smaller cars (not so much the Hybrid) is larger, and that distracts from my comfort zone.

But I understand what you mean now.

[Seeker]

How did you come to that conclusion?

I think JC came to that conclusion the same way I did.

Right now there's a multitude of people looking to downsize from 6 and 8 cylinder cars to these 4 cylinder autos -- even if it's a third auto for those times you don't need to cart around a ton of stuff.

I'm just not finding anything under 13k for the 4 cylinder models on several websites now. And the 13k ones that I do find have +60k miles on them.

I think people are snapping up the 4 cylinder Honda/Toyota cars just as soon as they become available; and because the demand is so high, the price for a certified pre-owened is all too close to that $15k for a brand new "0" mile auto!

[jc3900]

I'm just not finding anything under 13k for the 4 cylinder models on several websites now. And the 13k ones that I do find have +60k miles on them.

I think people are snapping up the 4 cylinder Honda/Toyota cars just as soon as they become available; and because the demand is so high, the price for a certified pre-owened is all too close to that $15k for a brand new "0" mile auto!

Exactly. I am not saying that used cars arn't a bad deal. I just think that the price for a NEW toyota or honda subcompact is too low to make it worth buying used. I need a car that is going to be very reliable for at the very least 7 years. I don't need anything flashy and all I care about is getting a lot of bang for my buck. Right now used honda's are at a premium. It just doesn't make any sense for me to give up 40% of a car's life for a 20% discount of what I would pay for a new honda or toyota. Basically, since I want to keep the car for a long time and the car doesn't have a high depreciation value and is cheep, I think I should buy new. But by all means if anyone can spot a deal let me know.

Edit: the other thing I have been thinking about too is that if I were to buy used the majority of repairs would come on my ownership time.

[Brokemofo]

I was looking at used Hondas and Toyotas, and 2 days ago bought the Honda Fit brand new. Most dealers will charge sticker for it. I got the base model for $14,500. It would have cost me 3k more for a comparable Civic. The Fit is a very fun car to drive especially in the twisties.

[disneysteve]

Right now used honda's are at a premium. It just doesn't make any sense for me to give up 40% of a car's life for a 20% discount of what I would pay for a new honda or toyota.

Sounds like you've done your homework and the new car makes more sense at this point. Make sure you do your pricing homework at edmunds.com or somewhere similar so that you are armed with all the data before negotiating the purchase price. Enjoy that new car smell. We haven't had it around here since 2000.

[aida2003]

When I drove Toyota Yaris in Europe a month ago, I was surprised that they are fun to drive and even have enough legroom. I didn't sit in the back, so I don't know about space in the rear. I thought at the time that I'd be interested in a small car when we need to replace one of our cars. But then we'll have 2 kiddos, so not sure

[bjl584]

My friend from Grad school has a Toyota Yaris. She really likes it. I thought that the gauge cluster in the center of the dash was a bit distracting, and I didn't like the shifter configuration, but other than that it seemed like a good solid car. She said that she got around 40mpg on the highway.

[disneysteve]

My friend from Grad school has a Toyota Yaris. She really likes it. I thought that the gauge cluster in the center of the dash was a bit distracting

I've had a Yaris a couple of times when my car was in for service. I agree about the gauges. I think it is very poor design. The driver needs to take focus off the road to see the gauges. I suppose you get used to it eventually but it is very awkward.

[bjl584]

I've had a Yaris a couple of times when my car was in for service. I agree about the gauges. I think it is very poor design. The driver needs to take focus off the road to see the gauges. I suppose you get used to it eventually but it is very awkward.

Yeah, she told me that she was used to it, but at first it was uncomfortable for her to get accustomed to it.

[jc3900]

WOO, I just got a bomb delivered today. My older sister talked with my dad today and she suggested that instead of buying me a car that I be given the money to do with it as I please. Furthermore, my older sister has just offered to sell me I think 7 year old( maybe more) honda civic for $2500! It has 115K miles on it and hasn't had many technical problems. The only thing that needs replacing is some sort of belt that is off my head at the moment. This has definatly made me think differently about getting a new car. For one, as I will be in college, I won't really be driving huge amounts of miles. Secondly, I could pocket the money I would have put towards the new car minus the $2500 for the civic and pay for a year of college or invest in a vanguard account. If this idea holds with my dad and I can buy my sisters car, I seriously think I will ditch the new car idea. Oh and the civic gets low 30 gas mileage.

[Brokemofo]

Wow, sounds like a great plan JC3900. You can drive that car for a few yeas then maybe sell it for more than you paid.