Why Do We Purchase New

[98 Z71 SLT]

I'm sure many of you have muttled this topic over in your head, while on the new-vehicle showroom floor.

 

Why, when it is economically such a poor decision, do we go ahead and buy a new vehicle...being either a car or truck?

 

Is it worth $10,000 depreciation just to have that NEW smell. And the odometer that reads 12, instead of 12,000?? Is it REALLY, TRULY worth all that extra money, just for those few items??

 

This website is full of enthusiasts, which is great. But why do we all, at one time or another, succumb to that crappy decision??

 

Personally, I've bought and sold 61 cars and trucks in my lifetime. Of those 61, only 4 were brand new purchases. And I lost $$$ on EVERY ONE of those 4. Not huge, drastic amounts of money, but over time the small losses do add up.

 

With a world full of Certified warranties, and everything under the sun to try and make believers of us new-fanatics, what holds us back?

 

And don't spit out the answer "...it's a truck...you never know how the other dude treated it..." With a good set of ears and eyes and a good healthy test drive...you can EASILY judge the condition of ANY vehicle.

 

No...I haven't bought another new truck. When these '09's are selling for high $20k area, then 6 months later they book out at $18k...FORGET IT....

[thecraft]

I don't see myself buying a new vehicle anytime soon. Having no payments is nice!

[98 Z71 SLT]

dang it...I screwed up the spelling of "economically" in the title

 

can anybody fix it

[soludsnake]

One thing might be that new vehicles generally offer 0% financing which is nice compared to high interest that bite in the long run.

 

Incentive that make buying new more plausible compared to and older one. For example, the 'All in One Event" offers free Goodwrench maintenance for 5 or 6 years, I cant remember.

 

Or even customization, the ability to choose a vehicle how you want it and not settling for something lesser.

 

Just some thoughts.

[BuckFeverZ]

I bought mine brand new in '07 because I could afford it at the time. I plan on keeping this truck as long as I can, and if I would've bought one with 12,000 on it, thats 12,000 less miles I could've put on it, which is about a year's worth of driving for me.

[robertbick]

I like to get exactly what I want. Well not exactly... I would like a Ferrari but I can't afford that. I also either pay cash for my vehicles or take advantage of 0% financing.

[Outbacker]

My last 3 vehicles were brand new off the lot, and why do I buy brand spanking new vehicles? Because I can. Not to sound arrogant or rude, but I buy new because I can. I like having a vehicle that no one has owned. I enjoy starting off the maintenance with a clean slate. I enjoy a full warranty for the first few years knowing that if anything goes wrong, it gets fixed for free. I like shining up that new paint job for the first time, and for the next 100 times. I like customizing a truck the way I want it, not accepting mod's that someone else did. I like driving a new truck, the way the engine purrs along. I love the look of a new engine compartment.

 

Why do I buy a new truck? Because I like it and I can. And no one can say I am wrong or argue my reasons because they are my reasons.

 

Cheers.

[gave20]

I wait till I can pay cash for my vehicles, plus I keep them for 13-15 years so depreciation means nothing to me. But the biggest thing is if I'm spending $30-45K on a vehicle I'm getting EXACTLY what I want, not someone else's hand-me-down.

[Matt_]

1) better interest rates

 

2) having a vehicle from 0 miles means a lot to ME: 12,000 miles of a beating can greatly depreciate the life of an engine and trans... so consider that $5000-$10000 as insurance that i know my vehicle has been properly cared for and maintained from DAY 1.

 

I was a mechanic for 6 years and saw a lot of people come in with their 'new' cars that they saved some $$$ on buying slightly used, only to find damage later that wasn't evident at the time of purchase.

 

For example you can't foresee how much longer a trans is going to last just by looking at it and driving it, especially if the owner was smart enough to put some new fluid in it before you came to 'check it out'. Or you don't know if the engine has ever been hydrolocked or even if the oil has EVER been changed.

 

IMO, if you have the means to buy new its worth it... unless you're only planning on keeping the truck for a year or two...

[rvsahs]

All very good answers...if you're going own a new vehicle only 6 mos to a year on average, then yes, it's pretty hard to come out ahead. I plan to own mine for quite awhile despite the fact that I threw several hundred $ bills out the window when I first drove it off the lot with depreciation....

[Jnk]

You only live once. Life is too damn short.

[certifiedcustom]

Prices of the used trucks are through the roof compared to 90 days ago. We have had customers choose new over "nearly-new" (2008 with 15k miles or 2009 with 10k miles) because today with incentives, you can come darn close in price.

 

Used vehicles will become a better value once again when the market stabilizes.

[jrrod2004]

got my truck brand new because I had an old junker (1993 Cavalier) that was on its last leg and needed some rest. Now I drive that 1993 Cavalier and leave the 2006 at home (took my time fixing the 93 the right way). Mine was done mostly out of need but now I drive the Rado out of desire (weekend use).

[RyanbabZ71]

I wait till I can pay cash for my vehicles, plus I keep them for 13-15 years so depreciation means nothing to me. But the biggest thing is if I'm spending $30-45K on a vehicle I'm getting EXACTLY what I want, not someone else's hand-me-down.

 

Exactly. I have bought 3 vehicles in my life, 2 brand new factory ordered and 1 used. I ordered my truck because I could not find anything blue with the black flares and an LS. I ordered my tahoe only because no 2wd models were available. I bought my impala used because it is just for back and forth to work/school. I have recently started looking at new trucks because 1. 0% financing, 2. need more cab space (Crewcab) 3. I feel I can get some value for my current truck

[RyanbabZ71]

oh yea and I will fix the title