Ever worth getting a new car?

System

Plenty of people buy new cars. Why? Because they can afford to. It really is as simple as that.

zagfles

steve-L wrote: »

I guess it's always a lottery but it's knowing which are good bets and which to walk away from.
Also the 1 yr is possibly too short (IMHO) you will get less that don't get thrashed than in the 3 yr category.

Part of this is meet the previous owner! (I previous owner provate sale)
When I bought my BMW I met his Dad and the previous owner... he obviously took a lot of care of the car and it was a very reluctant sale. (I once got stopped by the police after a sidelight failed, I had spare bulbs and they looked over the car and basically said it was obvious I looked after it and it was a 306 XSi (so had possibility of prejudice)... and they just let me on my way.... tyres were all well in tread, car neat and tidy etc. etc. I honestly believe the condition of the car (in combination obviously with my demeanour and attitude) played a part. In other words had the tyres been close tot he limit and car looked neglected I bet they would have given me a harder time)

When I bought my Honda (with 155k) the service history was complete and an inch thick. (obviously he expensed everything) but it also made it obvious he always bought quality tyres, always did the service BEFORE it was required and on one occasion he'd had a Kwik Fit oil change and took it to a proper garage 1000 miles later to get the job done properly. Every detail was fastidious.... and the car has proven to be a great buy... I did change the clutch and DMF yesterday .... and not for the 1st time the mechanic has expressed amazement at the miles its covered and how good condition its in.
OK so £1040 for the clutch and DMF but I have 25k on a £4000 car and with a 36,000/3yr guarantee on clutch and DMF so really see no reason I won't get another 50k+ out of it before it might be uneconomic to keep?

The trick is knowing what to walk away from.....

Speedbumps - Are a just evil..... :mad:
Either they wear the suspension or clutch.... one way or another these are a sure sign to walk away unless you just had a new clutch fitted.

(Not saying there not better or worse way's just that however hard you try speedbumps wreck your car!)


Given the care you take, I'd say you would have lost even less getting a good 3yr old car but.....

Possibly, but don't think it would have made a lot of difference, even if the previous owner(s) had really looked after the car well. Good 3 year old car similar to the one I bought was maybe £7500 or so, keeping it till it's 12 years old and selling for £500 (9 years) would be £777 per year, whereas buying new through a broker for £12k, keeping 12 years and selling for £500 is £958 per year. £181 a year more, but having a newer car for longer with warranty, lower maintenance costs, no MOT etc for those 3 years.

Also someone else I know always buys new and sell after 3 years (before the MOT is due - he's never done an MOT!). Always spotless service history, cleans and polishes regularly, car always immaculate. Generally a careful driver too, but he goes over speed humps far too fast (mind you I think everyone does - I tend to go 5mph over the full across the road ones - yes they are evil!! I'd prefer cameras, at least they allow you to drive at the speed limit!!).