Pros and cons of buying new rather than used. Alfa Romeo to Volvo. Which one would you go for?

I bought my last car 10 months old with 5400 miles on the clock-it had been used by the Garage manager. It was in mint condition and cost me £15000. The same car brand new with all the gadgets (full leather, dual zone climate control, upgraded 17" alloys, heated seats, winter pack etc) was £22500.

As soon as you drive it off the forecourt, you will lose thousands off it. Prior to my current car, I always bought my cars brand new-never again.

Pro's of a new car-err, they're new
Cons of a new car-you'll lose shitloads.

Pro's of a used car-dirt cheap if you buy a nearly new car
Cons of a used car-depends on how old you go but I wouldn't go near a used car more than 5 years old but that's my preference-each to their own.

I never buy new cars, have had them as company cars, but always buy secondhand for myself. Buy a used car, get at least £2k out the bank in cash, and chuck it out the window as you drive off the forecourt, youll know how it feels to drive a brand new car :D

Oh and I never buy used cars from dealers, price is too high, and they dont roll over as easy as the public

For no other reason than I can afford to, I nearly always [since 84?] buy new.
I like to know that the only cnut who's driven it is me.
Shredding £££££££ 's is, however, well understood.

However, my three XJ6's were used [1-2 yrs], including an ex-Jaguar Manager's car, but were with full records and a belting guarantee [which was needed in every case].

A very close friend used to be, Head of Sales, 'Jaguar' South East England.

He gave it up because of the poor quality of the cars. In his words, " The only thing that's keeping Jaguar going, is the Parts Dept "

Need I say more.

Originally Posted by JoseyWales

A very close friend used to be, Head of Sales, 'Jaguar' South East England.
He gave it up because of the poor quality of the cars. In his words, " The only thing that's keeping Jaguar going, is the Parts Dept "
Need I say more.

Yup .... for a start, I never saw anything that ate lightbulbs like my Jags. All 3 of them, so not a one-off. One every couple of months, could have been anywhere, didn't matter ... a bulb went. No wonder they came with a "spares kit" in the tool-kit. Nothing else went wrong, but admittedly I moved on every 18 months or so ...

Went like sh1t, though ... lovely way to travel. First one when when I was trading in a Mazda 626 [low mileage, less than 2 years] and was offered "You must be f***ing joking". That's when I got the first Jag ... 2 years old for the same price as a new 626. No contest ... :D

Then, in 94, traded in for a new Jeep Cherokee 4.0L. My son who "inherited" it says [today, by email] it's now on it's last legs, and probably has to go. Air Con long gone, ABS gone, tyre problems [alloy wheels degrading?] ... but that old supersonic house-brick has done well. Rust free, even with body damage going back years ... I'd have another one tomorrow.

Have saved at least £10k on the wifes last two Landrovers by buying Exdemo or ex Solihull fleet cars.

I will not buy new as I happen to like my money.

The tax loss on a new car is......


If I want a faceless, maurauding, beuracratic animal to spend my hard earned.....I'll give it to the wife....

Back in the seventies I had a 'post box red' MKII 3.8 with wire wheels, bought it for £15.

Got chased by the coppers whilst driving the 3.8 ( I had a cross ply and a radial on the rear ) but managed to get away though, funny enough.

The quickest trip ever from Pontypool to Abergavenny.. and that's where it ran out of petrol.

If you looking for a decent 4x4 - try Brightwells Auctioneers in Hereford. They have a 4x4 auction at Leominster every Tuesday.

Check the website for previous results - you won't get a better price.

pros are choice and to a lesser extend warrenty. The cons are depreataion and dealing with niggles. The most rational buy is a car that has lost its first large chunck and has been nicely test run in and test driven. I would proberly buy a BMW if it was with my own money. Well made good drive and hold there value and make decent diesels.