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Detroit, 1:09 PM
Wed Nov 25
25 posts in the last 24 hours

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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of HurtsSoGood HurtsSoGood
    09:36 AM

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    It depends on what kind of deal you get, and to some extent, where you live.

    I live in the Northeast, where one can expect to drive a car ten to twelve years, tops, before sodium chloride renders it no longer roadworthy, and beyond further repair. Plus, every third car on your typical used-car dealer's lot up here has been subjected to an equal amount of sodium chloride in its lifetime. That said, your best deal is usually a factory certified used car. Depending on what company we're talking about, at least somebody checked it out and made sure it was in like-new condition before putting it back out there. I've had two factory certified Toyotas, and couldn't have been happier with them.

    Of course, there is the occasional instance when you are made an offer you simply cannot refuse, in our case, a $1500 rebate on a base-trim Corolla with automatic transmission. Would you pay $14000 for a brand new base Corolla that's virtually indistinguishable from the more expensive LE except for the lack of power windows, and four stereo speakers instead of six (and a price tag closer to eighteen grand with the rebate)? Let me tell you a secret - the window cranks on our car take the window completely down in three and a half turns, and require almost no effort. And I doubt the addition of two more speakers improves the sound of the stock stereo system - the same on both cars - all that much. Certainly not four grand worth.
     Reply
    HurtsSoGood was starred HurtsSoGood was unstarred
    Image of oddfish oddfish
    11:25 AM

    @HurtsSoGood: My first new car, seven years ago, was a 2003 Corolla exactly as you describe it, at that same price. Never understood why I saw so many LE trims on the road.
     Reply
    HurtsSoGood approved this comment oddfish was starred oddfish was unstarred
    Image of HurtsSoGood HurtsSoGood
    11:48 AM

    @oddfish: Because that's all the dealers stock. There were exactly two base Corollas when I went shopping this past February, one with automatic, and one with stick. The salesman told me I was a lucky SOB because they rarely have those in stock, let alone with a fat rebate.

    #tips
     Reply
    HurtsSoGood was starred HurtsSoGood was unstarred
    Image of skierpage skierpage
    03:42 AM

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    The CNW "argument" isn't valid. Obviously making a new car takes resources. But operating a car for 150,000+ miles takes far, far more resources, whether you measure it in CO2 or other pollution. IF you can make an appreciable dent in the resources consumed in operation (by getting a car with say 30% better MPG), then buying a new car is a win for the environment. Even if your old car wasn't that much of a gas guzzler, replacing it may allow it to replace a gas guzzler in someone else's garage. Short of everyone driving less, the best way to reduce the pollution from America's auto fleet is to replace it with more fuel-efficient cars.
     Reply
    skierpage was starred skierpage was unstarred
    Image of Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est
    12:43 AM

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    Thanks Sam! It's nice to be in the choir when the preaching is going on.

    Additionally, more people who own old cars also means more parts availability, more used cars available, and more mechanics out there able to work on our old jalopies.
     Reply
    Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was starred Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was unstarred
    Image of Turboner Turboner
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    I have never, and will never buy a new car, for all the reasons you've listed and so much more. I don't buy new skis unless they are the previous year's models marked down 70%. Why? As soon as you use something, it's used. You get a door ding or core shot, and your fancy new equipment is just as used as if you had bought it that way. However, it is still just as enjoyable, if you don't care that it's not NEW. New cars turn ordinary people into overprotective pricks! You also get to enjoy the experience of repair and maintenance much more often.

    Plus, in the case of a used car, it occaisionally smells like buttsex, and that's alot of work to accomplish by yourself.
     Reply
    Turboner was starred Turboner was unstarred
    Image of mechimike mechimike
    07:18 AM

    @Turboner: Yeah, it takes an awful lot of buttsex to buttsex up the back seat of a buttsex.

    What, what were we talking about here?
     Reply
    mechimike was starred mechimike was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    That whooshing sound was all your (nonexistant) new car advertising heading for the exits.

    There are some good reasons to buy new cars. And lots of great reasons to buy used cars beyond your points:
    Keeping the dollars in the local economy;
    Supporting local repair shops and parts stores rather than international manufacturers;
    More freedom to customize your car when you own it outright and don't have to hand it back at the end of the lease;
    Saving your money for investments that will increase in value;
    You can buy more, cheaper cars more frequently - allowing you to have a lot more automotive experiences.
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of Turboner Turboner
    11/24/09

    @Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: If it weren't for used cars, I might not always be able to drive a stick :)
     Reply
    Turboner was starred Turboner was unstarred
    Image of FrankGrimes FrankGrimes
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    You guys nailed it. I would rather drive a 84 GTI with the modern versions engine than the modern car with it's 3,000 poundage.

    I love looking at the classifieds dreaming about how much car $500 can get me. A clean volvo amazon or rwd toyota hatch would be way more fun than some obese modern complicated car.

    I love the quote "the average new car is a lumpy pile of bloated meh."
    Awesome.
     Reply
    FrankGrimes was starred FrankGrimes was unstarred
    Image of TR3-A TR3-A
    11/24/09

    @FrankGrimes: YES! Give me an old car (RWD of course) with a solid body, a good set of tools, a reasonably dry and warm place to work and sufficient resources to do some serious work and I am happy. Sure, it's easier to just pull out the check book (credit card?) but not nearly as satisfying or fun!
     Reply
    Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est promoted this comment TR3-A was starred TR3-A was unstarred
    Image of Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est
    12:47 AM

    @TR3-A: It would be a KP82 Starlet for me if everyone else hadn't already driven up the prices so much.
     Reply
    Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was starred Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was unstarred
    Image of BigHarv BigHarv
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    Hey, I'd be careful who you're attacking over driving 4000 lb sport sedans with foot thick doors! What's wrong with XJRs?
     Reply
    BigHarv was starred BigHarv was unstarred
    Image of Elhigh Elhigh
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    The best thing about new cars are the rubes that buy them. Seriously. Thanks for taking the hit for me, folks! Word to your broker!

    Meanwhile, over in elhigh's yard, everything's paid for. Granted I bought the truck new, but that was back in the 80's. If you insist on buying new, don't ever frakkin sell. Not ever. In another few months it's gonna roll over 200K and it's still going strong. Granted, when the kids finally figure out how to drive with all three pedals, it'll be time for a new clutch, but hey. And I bought it at the ragged tail end of the model year, and it was the last carbureted one in Tennessee. They almost couldn't give it away, and we traded in a formerly squashed Impulse for it.

    Financing? Fuggedaboutit. They want your money money money. Think you cut a deal up front, you're gonna get hit with the payments in the backside, believe it.

    Look at the cars made five years ago. People want rid of them. Why? Nothing wrong with them, just "time for something new." Dang, "something new" must be pretty damned important at your house, huh, fashion zombie?

    Look at the cars made ten years ago. Some of them still look pretty good. Hell, some of them look a lot like the same thing made thirty minutes ago - Forester hasn't changed that much. I'll stick with the one I've got.

    Look at the cars made forty years ago. That's assuming you can find one to look at. Huh. Four seats, four wheels, steering wheel, the usual stuff. No airbags, okay, can't have everything. Big-ass bumper made of by-God steel. Shoot fire, smack into that and you're bumped all right. Gets dinged up, hitch it to a tree and pull it back out. Touchup paint on the scratch, or just chalk an X on the fender. Got me another one.

    I think I secretly covet the absence of safety gear. Bash and crash in a new car and the thing folds itself on the outside and explodes the heck up on the inside so you don't spill your coffee or get your mascara in your ear. Crumple-poof and it gently poops you out onto the sidewalk.

    Crash an old car and the thick steel sends the shock every which way. Some of that's into you. Well, dumbass, that's what you get. Pay more attention next time. Seat belts hold you still so you can be properly stabbed up by the steering column. Antilock braking technology begins and ends with your right ankle. Pump the brakes 14 times per second? Sure thing Col. Austin, whatever you say. Rollover protection - call it what you want. It's still a hat.

    The older ride is more than a statement of environmental soundness or financial wisdom. It's a tattoo, a pierced ear, a hipshot swagger. Truck Nutz? Yes, they're right - zip - here. I'm nuts for riding in this dangerous antiquated crude vehicle. I've got serious balls just to stand near it, let alone toss myself around the countryside in it. Whatever you think, that's on you.

    Me, I got an old ride. It ain't pretty, fast, or sophisticated. But she's paid for, reliable as the sunrise, and she's MINE.
     Reply
    Edited by Elhigh at 11/24/09 3:07 PM Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred
    Image of Mobius Mobius
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    Jalopnik is the voice of auto purism and enthusiasm. Hopefully, the voice will find some more powerful speakers.

    That said, I gotta feeling that we are coming near the turning point where cars simply weight too damn much and getting them around the 'Ring is just simply too much to ask for physics.
     Reply
    Mobius was starred Mobius was unstarred
    Image of HammSammich HammSammich
    11/24/09

    @Mobius: When they reach that turning point the cars will no longer need to move themselves "around the 'Ring." It'll be easier for them to remain stationary, whilst moving the 'Ring around themselves.
     Reply
    Mobius promoted this comment HammSammich was starred HammSammich was unstarred
    Image of LuciferV8 LuciferV8
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    I just can't bring myself to waste money on a new car. I'd quite literally rather set it on fire than hand it to a car dealer. To be honest, I trust those people only slightly more than I trust Charles Manson.
     Reply
    LuciferV8 was starred LuciferV8 was unstarred
    Image of SerialThriller SerialThriller
    11/24/09

    @LuciferV8: I hear ya, but does that mean you only buy used cars from individuals?
     Reply
    LuciferV8 promoted this comment SerialThriller was starred SerialThriller was unstarred
    Image of LuciferV8 LuciferV8
    09:41 AM

    @SerialThriller: Thus far, yes.
     Reply
    LuciferV8 was starred LuciferV8 was unstarred
    Image of Alfisted Alfisted
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    Sam, Sam, Sam. You're already preaching to the converted on this website. Don't take this message elsewhere, though. The new cars that are sold today are the used cars that we will hoon tomorrow.
     Reply
    Alfisted was starred Alfisted was unstarred
    Image of snapoversteer 'bout to get told snapoversteer 'bout to get told
    11/24/09

    @Alfisted: Exactly. Pipe down, Sam. How am I going to keep buying cut rate performance cars for half their MSRP if all those 2-yr-lease morons move to the used market?

    By the way, Cash for Clunkers has so roiled the used market that it's now the Golden Age for car vultures. So, thanks, Uncle Sugar. Sorry, taxpayers.
     Reply
    Edited by snapoversteer 'bout to get told at 11/24/09 1:55 PM snapoversteer 'bout to get told was starred snapoversteer 'bout to get told was unstarred
    Image of Tanshanomi Tanshanomi
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    I am contractually obligated by your diwheel reference to post the following link of most excellent diwheel hoonage:

    [www.tanshanomi.com]
     Reply
    Tanshanomi was starred Tanshanomi was unstarred
    Image of BaconSandwich and the generic grey civic of doom BaconSandwich and the generic grey civic of doom
    11/24/09

    @Tanshanomi: Dang that's awesome. It's like being on an amusement park ride, everywhere you drive!
     Reply
    Tanshanomi promoted this comment BaconSandwich and the generic grey civic of doom was starred BaconSandwich and the generic grey civic of doom was unstarred
    Image of mr_dude mr_dude
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    Page 1: Don't buy it new. Period.
    Page 6: Sometimes a new car is simply the best answer.
     Reply
    mr_dude was starred mr_dude was unstarred
    Image of Sam Smith Sam Smith
    11/24/09

    @mr_dude: The internet contains multitudes.
     Reply
    Sam Smith was starred Sam Smith was unstarred
    Image of mr_dude mr_dude
    11/24/09

    @Sam Smith: So erudite. Very well then.
     Reply
    mr_dude was starred mr_dude was unstarred
    Image of bmoreDLJ bmoreDLJ
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    Buying a brand new car straight from a dealership ever - not just during these economic doldrums - when there are perfectly good used or previously-owned cars out there costing thousands less due to depreciation, strikes me as just a sensible as cashing out all of your bank accounts, shredding the cash, and using it as hamster bedding. Just as sensible.
     Reply
    Edited by bmoreDLJ at 11/24/09 1:38 PM bmoreDLJ was starred bmoreDLJ was unstarred
    Image of mr_dude mr_dude
    11/24/09

    @bmoreDLJ: The price stratification is partially offset by the uncertainty of what's happened since the car left the lot.

    Partially.
     Reply
    mr_dude was starred mr_dude was unstarred
    Image of GreenN_Gold GreenN_Gold
    11/24/09

    @bmoreDLJ: Why buy new diapers when you can find used ones for free in the trash? Granted, an extreme example, but I'm just illustrating that there are reasons that new cars cost more.
     Reply
    GreenN_Gold was starred GreenN_Gold was unstarred
    Image of mytdawg mytdawg
    11/24/09

    In reply to Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car
    unless you buy in the rain, at night, and while drunk

    Like there's any other way.
     Reply
    mytdawg was starred mytdawg was unstarred
    Image of mr_dude mr_dude
    11/24/09

    @mytdawg: He was talking about cars.
     Reply
    mr_dude was starred mr_dude was unstarred
    Image of mytdawg mytdawg
    11/24/09

    @mr_dude: Well those too.
     Reply
    mytdawg was starred mytdawg was unstarred
    Image of Turbineguy - now with reheat!! Turbineguy - now with reheat!!
    11/24/09

    @mytdawg: Didja stuff her in the trunk when you were done?
     Reply
    mytdawg promoted this comment Turbineguy - now with reheat!! was starred Turbineguy - now with reheat!! was unstarred
    Image of mytdawg mytdawg
    11/24/09

    @Turbineguy - now with reheat!!: Sadly I'm usually the one that ends up on the side of the road, watching my own tail lights disappear down the road.
     Reply
    mytdawg was starred mytdawg was unstarred
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