Is it wise to buy an all-new model car when it first comes out?
 

I read a similar thread on ************* and thought i'd see what you guys think about the topic.

Here's the original transcript:

by: looksitchloe, *************


What do you think?

the 2003 and 2004 (first two years of production) were the BEST Matrix models. The XRS actually had something exciting about it, the body styles were the best, the offerings were the best. The later models were toned down and made granny mobiles. I'm buying mine right out the gate, if its "buggy" Then I'll trade it in when the get the new series out.

I'm probably gonna have to wait to get mine though I'd like to get it when it first comes out. Its whatever you really want to do, if there are kinks that need to be worked out then waiting a year or so would be better so you get the absolute best, however any major problems should be covered under warranty so you should be OK if you decide to get one first thing when they come out. Also for me I'd like to look into the g sports version which I'm sure wont be out right away anyways. So whatever you feel most comfortable with you should do, its a big investment as with any car or home etc., just some things to consider

I think Toyota is good with first year production issues. Not saying there are going to have recalls or TSB's but another reason to hold off until the later models is they start to add better details as the years go on.

I bought my '05 Tacoma, the first year it came out and they had 2 recalls and several TSBs which are already on the '08 and current Tacomas. They also added the blacked out headlights, LED taillights and changed up the interior here and there.

Something newer and better always comes out right when you purchase something. Im buying first year.

ditto, it's never ends if u just wait for improved ver.

If I follow the AE86 history, first the SR5 came 1984 its ok a carb single cam motor & drum brakes on rearend cheap and dependable. then 1985 following year the twin cam, EFI, tvis motor with a disk brakes and optional LSD. so my prediction will be, first to second year just the basic NA 2.0 liter flat 4 DI, standard breaks and optional LSD 3rd year will be the track version, a lighter chassis, more powerful engine, better/stiffer suspension & 4 piston calipers.

I normally don't buy first year vehicles but my situation dictates that I have to replace my current car as soon as the FT-86 comes out. If there are bugs well that's what the warranty is for I guess. If I could wait I would though.

I just hope we don't get screwed like those 2008 WRX guys did when the very next year horsepower jumped from 225 to 265.

They will probably want to see how popular this car becomes at first, and if it does become popular (which I'm sure it will) they will probably cange it up a bit in future years. Maybe the appearance a bit (inside and/or outside), maybe throw more at the engine or offer more choices like with the Genesis; maybe not quite as many choices but some. And again these are just guesses, so don't bash or anything lol :iono:

Hmmm, having had 7M head gasket problems in Supras prior to my 1JZ, I'm a bit gun-shy of going to a new model essentially 'blind'. But the mechanical bits all seem to have been proven on other platforms, so I'm undecided.

My biggest issues will be waiting for the inevitable dealer price gouging to come down and the band-wagon to cool off.

Ill wait till the tests and reviews are out, and final production numbers, and whatnot. And finally test driving it and where Im at in life. Ill be out of school but its goind to depend alot on jobs Im trying to get

this.

As a preface to the following comment, I was originally planning on buying an '05 WRX.

As the proud owner of an '08 WRX, people need to calm down and take a ride in an '08 before they say tings like this.

First, the "225" is WAY stronger than previous 225's. (From what I hear, of course). I have an intake (injen) which probably doesn't do anything but sounds cool, and my car may or may not be definitely quicker in all situations than a 4-door, 6MT, RWD E90 330i. (260sh "horsepower"). So we didn't get screwed as much as you think.
Having a tiny turbo sometimes sucks becasue it does, for sure, run out of air at redline; the throttle response is great and I can cruise down back roads at 4th - 2.5-3k RPMs and have plenty enough power to get out of corners.

The suspension is too soft for track days, but it's comfortable enough that my mom and girlfriend actualy like riding in my car. It's not that sloppy, now that I have steering rack bushings (plan to get sway bars and stop there), and again is great for uneven back roads and Atlanta city streets.

Even though it's bigger (looks bloated :/) and much nicer in the interior, they are inbetween (depends on where you get your numbers) 50 lbs lighter and 50 lbs heavier than the old WRXs, and have much better rear suspension.

Performance-wise, it's VERY close to an '09, nothing a little of aftermarket can more than fix. And, it's more comfortable. Overall, it's a great balance between civility and sportiness. And no WRX is really ideal as a track car, with the engine way out past the front axle, anyway.

ON-TOPIC, I wouldn't be scared to buy first year; I'm planning on buying a lightly-used early production one in 2013-2015 and making a track car out of it :)

You don't think all of the lineups will be released at the same time and just small option changes throughout the years?

I know the car will only get better over time; different engine tweaks different colors available n different options, interior and exterior changes. There really isn't a benefit of getting the first release unless you really want it.

We're almost certain the first year will have a stupid dealer mark up.

I'm going to get it on the 2nd or maybe 3rd year (if Turbo version comes out at that time)of releasing because, like many have said, deal mark up price and some issues.

yes, unless the next gen rx7 comes out/is coming out at the same time or around the same time, in which case i wait. to compare

cars dont allways get better in the 2nd or 3rd release, sometimes they get much worse. some things get dropped (possibly important things to some ppl), some things get put in (possibly useless things to some ppl) SAE guidlines might change in the way that the previous cars body isnt "safe" enough so they have to make it heavier/more expensive.. emmisions regulations might change so that the car has less power. all these things are a factor in my opinion

S2000 and SW20 MR2s had different front sway bars in later production models. Too many people killing themselves..go figure

I know that i wont be able to wait to buy one. They will obviously change stuff over the years, but with new technology it will most likely be very reliable right from the start. Plus, ill be one of first owners, which is a perk.

the 93+ MR2s have completely different rear suspensions than the 91/92 cars. note that i never said "better"... i believe there are also sway bar differences, but the main change came with the rear suspension design.

I think they will try work out all the faults before its released. They wouldnt want a whole lot of recalls that would put more people off Toyota again.

You are probably talking about model generation but not model years. I've never seen a vehicle get worse!?! For Toyotas (here in the US), most of the changes are minor and usually cosmetic.

It's probably not bad advice if time is not a factor. I always suspect they hold back a few of their better design ideas so they can include them in the second edition. Having said that, I will probably jump on it as soon as it comes out. I do think I'll run into a problem though. Many dealers on brand new models jack up the prices knowing there are people that want to be the first on their block with their car. I will not pay over MSRP.

Hm, didn't know that. They changed the ARBs to help prevent snap-oversteer, correct?

I know for a fact that they stopped importing 300zx's into the US because they couldn't meet the emissions standards anymore. Japan's emission standards were higher so they continued production until 1999. I also think that the last US model (1996) only had 280 stock HP compared the 300 from the earlier models. I don''t think that emission standards are going to be raised now though, not anymore.

they changed the entire rear suspension to cause more understeer, basically. this is because people don't know how to drive mid-engine cars. i believe the ARBs are different, but the main change was to put in longer rear toe rods to reduce toe out on turns in the rear.

it's debated quite a bit which cars handle better, but i have no problems with my 91 because i know what i'm doing behind the wheel. ;)

Interesting

Now the question is, having had this past experience and seeing as Honda did something similar with the S2K: Will the first FT/R-86/S be pre-dumbed down handling-wise, and we will have to wait for a performance revision (or after-market fix)?

im gonna say aftermarket fix.. im pretty sure that it is a unwritten SAE rule to make cars that tend to understeer more so than oversteer

No problems, too!

oh wait, yes there was something, too wet and too fast one a horrible autobahn exit and you get snap oversteer with a nice 360° spin... you can´t do nothing except praying an hoping :bellyroll:

the car did nothing wrong. ;) i've spun my car before, but it was my fault every time it happened. i don't remember the last time i spun it, but it's been a long, long time.

I think we know what we`re talking ´bout :happy0180:

slow in, fast out ;)

BTT: I think I will lease first GEN - let´s see what´s gonna happen...

Hm... never thought bout leasing it. Might look into it, but see the + & -

btw, I like your avi! Awesome!

QFT. :) that right there is KEY to being fast.

It's not an SAE rule... it's the media along with pansy orginizations like Consumer Reports, that have tests designed to make vehicles snap-oversteer and then cry and complain when physics happens. (a la recent GX460 "scandal") Or media coverage about an 'awful characteristic' of Prius brakes - when the ABS is activated, the brake pedal vibrates (!) ... punishing automakers for making cars that handle predictably and give the driver feedback :cry:

Well, even in racing the engineers will tend to balance the car a hair on the understeer side. But modern road cars... omfg...

BTW, how is Consumer Reports still in business with all the car 'test' scandals they've had over the years?

@ dimman,

Simple answer, Sheeple.

depends on the driver's preference and the kind of track (speed of corners).

right! the + & - will be determinant!

Thanks!

i don't see a problem buying the first year of a new car. we are all waiting for it now aren't we?

When BMW brought the 1 series to the US all of the cars had special trim that said " year one of the 1" or something close to it.

and on a side note, that i am sure has been brought up before. When the FT-86 does come out i'd like to see a comparison with the 1 series BMW.