Buy Used or New?

ayrton88 · 08-06-2012, 04:54 PM

I used to always buy new, but never again. That money you lose just driving off the lot is ridiculous. Late model used with low miles is the way to go for me. I bought my last car (a BMW) new and it was problem after problem from day one. Lost my *** when I finally traded it. My girlfriend bought a 2 year old Miata and the thing has been perfect. You are taking a chance new or used, but I'll save that initial hit you take when buying new.

shadoquad · 08-06-2012, 04:59 PM

I see a lot of used pricing that is on par with or the same as new models, and used cars already are less valuable, merely by an extra owner being on the title, extra years since new. I don't think the depreciation loss on a new car is too tall a price, but it differs for everybody.

christian370z · 08-07-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I see a lot of used pricing that is on par with or the same as new models, and used cars already are less valuable, merely by an extra owner being on the title, extra years since new. I don't think the depreciation loss on a new car is too tall a price, but it differs for everybody.

Depretiation also differs on the car (make/model/options) as well as the area you are in too. Some cars will depretiate much faster and steeply than others, the Z happens to hold it's value very well versus something like a Pontiac G6.

DarkJak · 08-06-2012, 06:39 PM

I'd also consider how you plan on driving the car. I bought a used 09 and didn't lose any sleep over it since the interior was pristine and I knew that I'd most likely be driving it much harder than the previous owners did.

The 370Z is pretty reliable and the motor can take a beating so I wouldn't be as concerned buying used.

CrownR426 · 08-06-2012, 09:24 PM

Certified + Preowned + Warranty = Smart Buy
Always check car fax and take it to a Mechanic you can trust.
I'd get a 09 Nismo or 09 40th over any newer model cause its a smarter buy.
If I was on a budget I would get Base + Sports cause its the fastest Z!

nmjaxx9 · 08-06-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownR426

Certified + Preowned + Warranty = Smart Buy
Always check car fax and take it to a Mechanic you can trust.
I'd get a 09 Nismo or 09 40th over any newer model cause its a smarter buy.
If I was on a budget I would get Base + Sports cause its the fastest Z!

thats basically the used car buying formula.

Compdoc777 · 08-06-2012, 09:45 PM

I have purchased mine used and certified with a zero deductable warranty. You can trade in the warranty for full price. Nissan likes to give a ton on trades as well.

Davey · 08-07-2012, 08:42 AM

No offense but... Unless you are getting a great interest rate or some other side benefit, Certified Used is a waste of time. They don't spend a lot of time on the inspection nor do they really put any more money than absolutely necessary into the car to get it ready for sale. I've even seen cars poorly repaired after wrecks as "certified" that even an amateur like me could see it wasn't right

I mean, if I were buying used I wouldn't shy away from Certified Used but either way, get a trusted mechanic's opinion.

Compdoc777 · 08-07-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey

No offense but... Unless you are getting a great interest rate or some other side benefit, Certified Used is a waste of time. They don't spend a lot of time on the inspection nor do they really put any more money than absolutely necessary into the car to get it ready for sale. I've even seen cars poorly repaired after wrecks as "certified" that even an amateur like me could see it wasn't right

I mean, if I were buying used I wouldn't shy away from Certified Used but either way, get a trusted mechanic's opinion.

The car can't be certified if it was in an accident, dealers get audited on each certified car. The way I found out about that was that the auditor had my keys when I came in to test drive and i spoke to him. I got 3.2% on my certified Nismo. 8/120K mile zero deduct and for 2011 only had 8002 miles.

falconfixer · 08-07-2012, 09:40 AM

I traded in a 2008 Wrangler Rubicon on my Z. This Jeep I jumped sand dunes in the outskirts of Las Vegas. I ended up blowing out (read broke in half) the rear shocks and the entire inside was filled with sand. My fix was to gut the interior and Herculine the tub. I moved to Anchorage and beat the living hell out of it in the wilds of Alaska. I sunk it up to the middle of the doors in the Chena River on one excursion. I then moved MD where going off road results in execution by firing squad. So I had to trade it in. I went through about a gallon of simple green and a pressure washer inside and out. Rattle canned the undercarriage to hide all the trail damage. Waxed and buffed the exterior as best I could. You name it I did everything I could to hide the abuse. Guess what---the dealership took the Jeep and sold it to someone for almost $24K. I wouldn't pay $10K for it.

Do yourself a favor, buy new. You could get one of my vehicles.

b1adesofcha0s · 08-07-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconfixer

I traded in a 2008 Wrangler Rubicon on my Z. This Jeep I jumped sand dunes in the outskirts of Las Vegas. I ended up blowing out (read broke in half) the rear shocks and the entire inside was filled with sand. My fix was to gut the interior and Herculine the tub. I moved to Anchorage and beat the living hell out of it in the wilds of Alaska. I sunk it up to the middle of the doors in the Chena River on one excursion. I then moved MD where going off road results in execution by firing squad. So I had to trade it in. I went through about a gallon of simple green and a pressure washer inside and out. Rattle canned the undercarriage to hide all the trail damage. Waxed and buffed the exterior as best I could. You name it I did everything I could to hide the abuse. Guess what---the dealership took the Jeep and sold it to someone for almost $24K. I wouldn't pay $10K for it.

Do yourself a favor, buy new. You could get one of my vehicles.

Davey · 08-07-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Compdoc777

The car can't be certified if it was in an accident, dealers get audited on each certified car. The way I found out about that was that the auditor had my keys when I came in to test drive and i spoke to him. I got 3.2% on my certified Nismo. 8/120K mile zero deduct and for 2011 only had 8002 miles.

Nope. I'm afraid they absolutely can sell a Certified Used car that has been in an accident. Google it if you don't believe me, and I've seen it happen myself.

Certified used doesn't mean that the car wasn't or could not have been in an accident. It means that if the means they use to check for an accident do not reveal an accident, the car is sold as certified used, and nothing more.

I'm not saying they want to scam you, but I'm saying that it happens, and the guys doing the inspection don't necessarily look for damage beyond "panels appear to be original and nothing on a Carfax."

nmjaxx9 · 08-07-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey

Nope. I'm afraid they absolutely can sell a Certified Used car that has been in an accident. Google it if you don't believe me, and I've seen it happen myself.

Certified used doesn't mean that the car wasn't or could not have been in an accident. It means that if the means they use to check for an accident do not reveal an accident, the car is sold as certified used, and nothing more.

I'm not saying they want to scam you, but I'm saying that it happens, and the guys doing the inspection don't necessarily look for damage beyond "panels appear to be original and nothing on a Carfax."

all certified used cars also go through a manufacturers inspection based on their specific standards....i would still go certified pre owned over used

Davey · 08-07-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmjaxx9

all certified used cars also go through a manufacturers inspection based on their specific standards....i would still go certified pre owned over used

I would, too! There's not reason to avoid them specifically at all, and they come with other benefits. My point is just that in no way should it be taken as any reassurance you don't need to have an independent mechanic look at it and check it over thoroughly for signs of collision repair.

shadoquad · 08-07-2012, 09:58 AM

Honestly, if nothing else, I think that we can all agree, regardless of buying used or new, don't just take the seller's words as gospel. Check the car out, get a trusted gearhead to help you inspect it. Look the car over with keen eye for detail, and always take a long test drive of the car you're about to take home, looking for serious issues.

At the end of the day, it's your money, spend it as you please.

08-06-2012, 09:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 849	Certified + Preowned + Warranty = Smart Buy Always check car fax and take it to a Mechanic you can trust. I'd get a 09 Nismo or 09 40th over any newer model cause its a smarter buy. If I was on a budget I would get Base + Sports cause its the fastest Z! __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

08-06-2012, 04:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 16	I used to always buy new, but never again. That money you lose just driving off the lot is ridiculous. Late model used with low miles is the way to go for me. I bought my last car (a BMW) new and it was problem after problem from day one. Lost my *** when I finally traded it. My girlfriend bought a 2 year old Miata and the thing has been perfect. You are taking a chance new or used, but I'll save that initial hit you take when buying new.

08-06-2012, 04:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3888	I see a lot of used pricing that is on par with or the same as new models, and used cars already are less valuable, merely by an extra owner being on the title, extra years since new. I don't think the depreciation loss on a new car is too tall a price, but it differs for everybody.

08-06-2012, 06:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
DarkJak A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,397 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16805	I'd also consider how you plan on driving the car. I bought a used 09 and didn't lose any sleep over it since the interior was pristine and I knew that I'd most likely be driving it much harder than the previous owners did. The 370Z is pretty reliable and the motor can take a beating so I wouldn't be as concerned buying used.

08-06-2012, 09:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Compdoc777 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cypress Posts: 277 Drives: 2011 Nismo #4 MB Rep Power: 15	I have purchased mine used and certified with a zero deductable warranty. You can trade in the warranty for full price. Nissan likes to give a ton on trades as well.

08-07-2012, 08:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
Davey A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,766 Drives: '15 NISMO 6MT Rep Power: 117173	No offense but... Unless you are getting a great interest rate or some other side benefit, Certified Used is a waste of time. They don't spend a lot of time on the inspection nor do they really put any more money than absolutely necessary into the car to get it ready for sale. I've even seen cars poorly repaired after wrecks as "certified" that even an amateur like me could see it wasn't right I mean, if I were buying used I wouldn't shy away from Certified Used but either way, get a trusted mechanic's opinion.

08-07-2012, 09:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
falconfixer Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 10aC Posts: 978 Drives: Taco Rep Power: 78	I traded in a 2008 Wrangler Rubicon on my Z. This Jeep I jumped sand dunes in the outskirts of Las Vegas. I ended up blowing out (read broke in half) the rear shocks and the entire inside was filled with sand. My fix was to gut the interior and Herculine the tub. I moved to Anchorage and beat the living hell out of it in the wilds of Alaska. I sunk it up to the middle of the doors in the Chena River on one excursion. I then moved MD where going off road results in execution by firing squad. So I had to trade it in. I went through about a gallon of simple green and a pressure washer inside and out. Rattle canned the undercarriage to hide all the trail damage. Waxed and buffed the exterior as best I could. You name it I did everything I could to hide the abuse. Guess what---the dealership took the Jeep and sold it to someone for almost $24K. I wouldn't pay $10K for it. Do yourself a favor, buy new. You could get one of my vehicles.

08-07-2012, 09:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3888	Honestly, if nothing else, I think that we can all agree, regardless of buying used or new, don't just take the seller's words as gospel. Check the car out, get a trusted gearhead to help you inspect it. Look the car over with keen eye for detail, and always take a long test drive of the car you're about to take home, looking for serious issues. At the end of the day, it's your money, spend it as you please.