Are used cars even worth it anymore?

[280Z Turbo]

I'm currently debating whether I want to go for a used car or new car. With used cars retaining their value better than ever, it makes me wonder if its even worth it to buy used. With less warranty, more wear and tear, and higher financing rates, I have to wonder what the point of it is anymore.

It seems that a new FRS is a better deal than a Miata thats a couple years old.

[2o6]

It depends, really. The market is still out of whack.

[Raza]

Still great bargains to be had.  Perhaps not on Miatas, but when I was shopping and went to look at a BRZ, the monthly paymentes were kind of insane.  If I were to spend the same as a BRZ, I could have gotten a pristine M roadster or M coupe, and that's a completely different performance level altogether. 

I can't believe that you can't find a good deal on an MX-5.  There are roughly eleventy million for sale in the country right now, and they were cheaper than the BRZ to start off with.

What I'm reading is "I really want to get a BRZ instead of a Miata, so please help me justify this" and that's fine. 

[MrH]

I was sort of in the same position, and came to the same conclusion.  Not worth it on a lot of cars.

There are some good used car buys if you like a model that depreciates quickly.  Unfortunately, a lot of the better cars out there just don't depreciate enough to warrant the risk and potential downside IMO.

[SVT666]

Completely depends on the car.  Some are, others aren't.

[280Z Turbo]

Still great bargains to be had.  Perhaps not on Miatas, but when I was shopping and went to look at a BRZ, the monthly paymentes were kind of insane.  If I were to spend the same as a BRZ, I could have gotten a pristine M roadster or M coupe, and that's a completely different performance level altogether. 

I can't believe that you can't find a good deal on an MX-5.  There are roughly eleventy million for sale in the country right now, and they were cheaper than the BRZ to start off with.

What I'm reading is "I really want to get a BRZ instead of a Miata, so please help me justify this" and that's fine. 

Well I can get a 13 year old one for $6500. One that's only a couple years old would be almost as much as a FR-S, possibly more.

I want a RWD 2 sports coupe, but I really don't want a convertible. It's just the Miata is the only car that comes close. The 350Z sucks and the RX-8 has a stupid motor.

[Raza]

Well I can get a 13 year old one for $6500. One that's only a couple years old would be almost as much as a FR-S, possibly more.

I want a RWD 2 sports coupe, but I really don't want a convertible. It's just the Miata is the only car that comes close. The 350Z sucks and the RX-8 has a stupid motor.

Okay, I know I'm not the biggest advocate of the 350Z, but a lot of people really like them and it got a lot of great reviews when it came out.  If you haven't driven one, you should try one before you discount it. 

How much do Z32 300ZXs cost nowadays anyway?  I've wanted one of those since I saw that gorgeous blue one in Kill Bill. 

[MexicoCityM3]

When I get a Porsche it will most likely be used. The savings are huge vs a new one.

[Cookie Monster]

Well I can get a 13 year old one for $6500. One that's only a couple years old would be almost as much as a FR-S, possibly more.

I want a RWD 2 sports coupe, but I really don't want a convertible. It's just the Miata is the only car that comes close. The 350Z sucks and the RX-8 has a stupid motor.

Uh, how is a used NC more than a new BRZ?

[MrH]

Well, to give you an idea of how screwed up the used car market became:  I drove my NC miata around for two years for $200.

I think I'm the only one who's driven all of the cars being discussed here: 350Z, Miata (NB & NC), RX-8, BRZ.  Pretty clear what choice I made...

[280Z Turbo]

Uh, how is a used NC more than a new BRZ?

Not necessarily more (although with options it could be) but poor value.

[GoCougs]

Nah, still better financially speaking to buy used. Dealers generally come across used cars at far better deals than new inventory. Any used car at a dealer IMO should be presumed to be had for 15-20% off the advertised price.

Example:

2011 G37x sedan w/premium pkg
Price when new: $41,000
Advertised price in March 2012:  $34,900
Purchase price in March 2012: $28,500

[Raza]

Well, to give you an idea of how screwed up the used car market became:  I drove my NC miata around for two years for $200.

I think I'm the only one who's driven all of the cars being discussed here: 350Z, Miata (NB & NC), RX-8, BRZ.  Pretty clear what choice I made...

I've driven the 350Z on multiple occasions, the NC, and the RX-8.  They all have one fatal flaw, but the smiley NC would be my choice. 

[SVT666]

Nah, still better financially speaking to buy used. Dealers generally come across used cars at far better deals than new inventory. Any used car at a dealer IMO should be presumed to be had for 15-20% off the advertised price.

Example:

2011 G37x sedan w/premium pkg
Price when new: $41,000
Advertised price in March 2012:  $34,900
Purchase price in March 2012: $28,500

It wouldn't have been that cheap if it hadn't been a rental.

[Onslaught]

It all depends. There are some cars that I'd never buy used or out or almost out of warranty.

[SVT666]

If you want a Honda, then buy new.  If you want anything else buy used.

[Onslaught]

When I get a Porsche it will most likely be used. The savings are huge vs a new one.

Tell me about it. Cayman's are "cheap" after a few years.

[MexicoCityM3]

Tell me about it. Cayman's are "cheap" after a few years.

I am aiming for a late 997 911 Carrera S hopefully in 2014 or 2015. It will be worth half what a new 911 costs by then. Maybe even a GT3......

[Northlands]

If you want a Honda, then buy new.  If you want anything else buy used.

[GoCougs]

It wouldn't have been that cheap if it hadn't been a rental.

The sin of you paying more for an older higher mileage worn version of the same car, all the while financing it, is yours and yours alone .

[SVT666]

The sin of you paying more for an older higher mileage worn version of the same car, all the while financing it, is yours and yours alone .

[CALL_911]

zing

[SVT666]

zing

Hardly.   I paid less than him and I got a babied loaded sport model and he got beat up rental with an interior that rattles like a bucket of bolts.

[MrH]

The sin of you paying more for an older higher mileage worn version of the same car, all the while financing it, is yours and yours alone .

Lol!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_burn_centers_in_the_United_States

[CALL_911]

Hardly.   I paid less than him and I got a babied loaded sport model and he got beat up rental with an interior that rattles like a bucket of bolts.

Bottom line is, you probably didn't pay much less than he did for his, you got an older, pre-facelifted model, and yours probably had a good amount more miles on it. You don't know the quality of his car (and how do you know yours was babied?), aside from him saying that he has some rattles. Besides, whether the car was "babied" or a rental usually doesn't factor too heavily in purchase price (provided there are no glaring blemishes).

[SVT666]

Bottom line is, you probably didn't pay much less than he did for his, you got an older, pre-facelifted model, and yours probably had a good amount more miles on it. You don't know the quality of his car (and how do you know yours was babied?), aside from him saying that he has some rattles. Besides, whether the car was "babied" or a rental usually doesn't factor too heavily in purchase price (provided there are no glaring blemishes).

Take a look at the G-spot thread.  He has practically pulled his interior apart trying to fix all his rattles.  Mine is completely rattle free.  I don't know that mine was babied, but when we bought our car, the radio stations that were all preprogrammed were classical and 50s.  The car was immaculate unlike his car, mine doesn't rattle unlike his car, and mine is a Sport model unlike his.  Who cares about the facelift if your car has stains in the trunk and rattles so much you have tear the interior apart to fix it.  I paid less than him and I got a better car.  We all know how people treat and drive rental cars.  Don't forget he had to fork out extra dollars to upgrade the wheels and tires to 18" and my car already had them.  He spent about $4000 more than I did when you factor in his wheels and tires.

[GoCougs]

zing

I debated not doing it and even deleted it once. I never really want to cut on someone else's car nor detract from anyone's 'SPIN experience, but Internetry is Internetry - cut on someone's car out of the blue and ye risk getting smited. The only real lesson here is for SVT666 to ask why he consistently cuts on a car that is a newer, lower mileage, better condition version of his own very car .

[SVT666]

I debated not doing it and even deleted it once. I never really want to cut on someone else's car nor detract from anyone's 'SPIN experience, but Internetry is Internetry - cut on someone's car out of the blue and ye risk getting smited. The only real lesson here is for SVT666 to ask why he consistently cuts on a car that is a newer, lower mileage, better condition version of his own very car .

I love how you always claim victory when there was no victory to be had.

[GoCougs]

I love how you always claim victory when there was no victory to be had.

True - there is no victory - only someone looking a bit spiteful and bitter .

JESUS, MAN, WE OWN PRETTY MUCH THE SAME CAR. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU.

[AutobahnSHO]

Honda S2000???

If you're comparing 13yrs old to new, that's going to be a big price difference.   new vs. 2-5yrs old would require some homework..