Car and Driver 2020 review

[N_Raged]

I also used to believe in "only buy used". But the timing was right and there was a deal on a 2019 Sport Tech RS (Performance Pack) which I couldn't turn down. No regrets and I have a brand new car that hasn't been defiled by anyone else.

[WNDSRFR]

How about this new Toyota?
I wonder if they sell just the engine? 268 hp 3 cylinder?
I think that would fit nicely under my hood.
https://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/gr-hot-hatch/

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The small improvements do make it a better car stock.

Even driving a 2016 on the track yesterday, it was interesting much fresher it felt compared to my 2013. Even before the refresh, I think Toyota/Subaru were making a bunch of small changes behind the scenes. I might have to pick up a 2017+ later on.

[the new guy]

Those add-on prices feel absurd in comparison to a PP BRZ. Don’t get me wrong, I love the updated interior/features of an 86 GT in comparison to my previous 2014 FRS but I paid 26k out the door for my 2018 GT.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Exactly. The thing is that so many say never buy new. No pieces to pick up if no new ones sold. The manufacturers do not base new models on used car sales. They don’t give a shit what happens after new. So let’s all just buy used and let them decide there is no market. You are not being smart buy telling everybody to by used when you look at the big picture. In fact it is a down right stupid ideal to try to meet.

Read the last sentence of my post

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Read the last sentence of my post

Doesn’t change that there have to people that “want” new to be able to have used. You should be thanking those that buy new not discouraging it and seemingly looking down on the fools taking depreciation.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Doesn’t change that there have to people that “want” new to be able to have used. You should be thanking those that buy new not discouraging it and seemingly looking down on the fools taking depreciation.

I’m thanking the ones that buy new and barely drive it the sell it to me for half.

[Ernest72]

I bought my 04 WRX and 16 BRZ new, because I could easily afford it. These are not expensive cars. But having owned them for years now, I would be fine if I had bought used. My next project will be used, let the other guy take the depreciation hit.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

I bought my 04 WRX and 16 BRZ new, because I could easily afford it. These are not expensive cars. But having owned them for years now, I would be fine if I had bought used. My next project will be used, let the other guy take the depreciation hit.

Yeah I typically buy new for cars I intend to keep a long time. I bought my FR-S new in 2012 and still have it today. No desire to sell it. I also bought my GTI new in 2011 and kept it 9 yrs before selling. No regrets purchasing either car new.

Every once in a while though, a used car comes along that's really difficult to pass up. For us, it was a 2019 CPO Tiguan with 2,900 miles and a warranty until 2026. Saved $4000 over what a new one would typically sell for and was able to get 0 down/0% APR due to it being CPO. The final straw was VW reduced the warranty to 3y/36k for 2020 models. The deal was too good to pass up even though we were looking to buy new. Sometimes I wonder why the previous owner broke the lease early and returned it with so little mileage, but there could be any number of reasons for that. For now, we're loving the new (to us) car and the cost savings!

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Yeah I typically buy new for cars I intend to keep a long time. I bought my FR-S new in 2012 and still have it today. No desire to sell it. I also bought my GTI new in 2011 and kept it 9 yrs before selling. No regrets purchasing either car new.

Every once in a while though, a used car comes along that's really difficult to pass up. For us, it was a 2019 CPO Tiguan with 2,900 miles and a warranty until 2026. Saved $4000 over what a new one would typically sell for and was able to get 0 down/0% APR due to it being CPO. The final straw was VW reduced the warranty to 3y/36k for 2020 models. The deal was too good to pass up even though we were looking to buy new. Sometimes I wonder why the previous owner broke the lease early and returned it with so little mileage, but there could be any number of reasons for that. For now, we're loving the new (to us) car and the cost savings!

There are deals out there. A few months ago my wife got a CPO 2017 Lexus IS300 with 35k miles, but the car was immaculate, practically brand new. I don’t think anyone sat in it but the driver. No wear anywhere. She fell in love with it. It was 25k used with warranty. The sticker was 42k, we laughed. Would never spend that for this car, even though it is really nice.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

There are deals out there. A few months ago my wife got a CPO 2017 Lexus IS300 with 35k miles, but the car was immaculate, practically brand new. I don’t think anyone sat in it but the driver. No wear anywhere. She fell in love with it. It was 25k used with warranty. The sticker was 42k, we laughed. Would never spend that for this car, even though it is really nice.

Lexus is definitely a brand I would buy used without hesitation. They've got such a strong reputation for reliability and quality. Surprised that it sold for so cheap given their strong resale value, especially being CPO. I'd definitely have a hard time passing on a car like that too if I was in the market, even if I was originally intending to buy new.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Lexus is definitely a brand I would buy used without hesitation. They've got such a strong reputation for reliability and quality. Surprised that it sold for so cheap given their strong resale value, especially being CPO. I'd definitely have a hard time passing on a car like that too if I was in the market, even if I was originally intending to buy new.

We sat in the new one and it was almost an identical car and the sticker was 44k, maybe some new tech but nothing worthwhile, except a bigger screen. So 19k for a bigger screen, crazy.

I have to say though, when you look for off lease or used it really depends on the specific car. We looked at two others, one that had the heated steering wheel which my wife wanted, but the car was in much worse condition and was 1k more.

I have to say you need to be more careful with a sports car as the previous owner may have thrashed the car.

Clearly the previous owner of our IS300 was a neat an clean person. I mean the trunk looked like it was never used, no scratches and still smelled good. Looked brand new. They said that they did not have a chance to detail it, not sure I believe them, but the car was perfect. It was a highway car too because of some rock chips on the lower front.
If I knew who owned this car before me, I would look to purchase their next car.

[AnalogMan]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

LOL at all the “buy used” dudes. You do realize that somebody has to buy new ones for there to be used right? Anybody that screams only buy used at everybody can just shut the hell up when the next model comes out and it isn’t what you like. You forfeited your right to complain when all you buy is used.

For the last 25 years, almost all the cars I've bought have ended up being new. Every time I've gone out to buy a car (which happens insanely often, I've owned well over 100 in almost 50 years of driving), I start out looking for a used car to 'save money' and the whole proverbial 'let someone else take the initial depreciation hit'.

It's rarely worked out that way. The only 2 cars I've bought used in the last 25 years were a S2000 and RX8, because they didn't make them anymore. Every other time, when I've gone to look at used cars, I've found that most of the ones I've seen have had issues. Like, accident damage, or no (or questionable) maintenance history, or I had the feeling they were driven very hard (all too common for sports/sporty cars).

The former leased cars I've seen were especially problematic. It makes sense. If someone is leasing a car for 2 or 3 years and then gives it back, they're usually not exactly motivated to take good care of it. Why spend the money on oil changes and other maintenance if you're just going to give it back? For that matter, why be careful about how you break it in or drive it if you're just going to 'give it back to the dealer'? Beat on it, drive the crap out of it, it'll hold together for the warranty period, and then it's someone else's problem.

I know I'm picky. Much pickier than most people when it comes to condition. But the truly good, well-taken care of, properly broken-in, used cars out there seem to be far and few between. The ones I find have usually been priced at enough of a premium that it wasn't enough of a modest 'savings' vs a new car to make it worthwhile for me to not get the color and options I really want. It's been worth it to spend more to get exactly the color and other features I want (plus the peace of mind of knowing I broke it in, I take care of it, and I don't abuse it).

There's a cost to driving any car (unless you're lucky enough to fall into one of those rare situations of an appreciating classic). With a used car there's less 'depreciation', but possibly more maintenance and repair costs, and the intangible cost of perhaps not getting the exact color and other options you might want. With a new car there is more depreciation but also less worry about repairs, and more enjoyment (at least for me) of getting exactly you want.

Like others have said, these are inexpensive cars. We're not talking six figure Ger-mahn brag-mobiles. Small, affordable, RWD, manual transmission sports/sporty cars are a rare and dying breed. Buy what you like, used or new, whatever works for you and your wallet, and enjoy it.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by AnalogMan

For the last 25 years, almost all the cars I've bought have ended up being new. Every time I've gone out to buy a car (which happens insanely often, I've owned well over 100 in almost 50 years of driving), I start out looking for a used car to 'save money' and the whole proverbial 'let someone else take the initial depreciation hit'.

It's rarely worked out that way. The only 2 cars I've bought used in the last 25 years were a S2000 and RX8, because they didn't make them anymore. Every other time, when I've gone to look at used cars, I've found that most of the ones I've seen have had issues. Like, accident damage, or no (or questionable) maintenance history, or I had the feeling they were driven very hard (all too common for sports/sporty cars).

The former leased cars I've seen were especially problematic. It makes sense. If someone is leasing a car for 2 or 3 years and then gives it back, they're usually not exactly motivated to take good care of it. Why spend the money on oil changes and other maintenance if you're just going to give it back? For that matter, why be careful about how you break it in or drive it if you're just going to 'give it back to the dealer'? Beat on it, drive the crap out of it, it'll hold together for the warranty period, and then it's someone else's problem.

I know I'm picky. Much pickier than most people when it comes to condition. But the truly good, well-taken care of, properly broken-in, used cars out there seem to be far and few between. The ones I find have usually been priced at enough of a premium that it wasn't enough of a modest 'savings' vs a new car to make it worthwhile for me to not get the color and options I really want. It's been worth it to spend more to get exactly the color and other features I want (plus the peace of mind of knowing I broke it in, I take care of it, and I don't abuse it).

There's a cost to driving any car (unless you're lucky enough to fall into one of those rare situations of an appreciating classic). With a used car there's less 'depreciation', but possibly more maintenance and repair costs, and the intangible cost of perhaps not getting the exact color and other options you might want. With a new car there is more depreciation but also less worry about repairs, and more enjoyment (at least for me) of getting exactly you want.

Like others have said, these are inexpensive cars. We're not talking six figure Ger-mahn brag-mobiles. Small, affordable, RWD, manual transmission sports/sporty cars are a rare and dying breed. Buy what you like, used or new, whatever works for you and your wallet, and enjoy it.

I tend to agree, but this is precisely why you need to find the right car and inspect it well. Also depends on what brand.

I will not be buying any used Hyundai’s , but took a used Acura TL from 31k to 197k, sold it to a friend, she’s still running. So you gotta pick the right car.

Surprisingly , our little cars are pretty reliable. So a used one might not be such a bad thing. Just inspect it well. Signs of abuse are easy to see.