Do you buy the same make car/truck and new or used? Diversion topic-

thetrim

I'll usually look for a car lightly used a couple of years old and in the 25k or less mileage category.  That being said, the last car I got was a new Toyota mid sized SUV that was hard to find in that criteria. I got a new one at the end of the year, but I did a lot of shopping around for it.

Botch

33-year Saaboholic here.  Had to downgrade to an '18 Audi Cabrio (my first, and last, new car); she's okay but nobody built comfortable car seats like Saab...
A couple of Toyota trucks, VW van, and (in the beginning) rusty fords along the way.  

thetrim

I had a few Saabs too, Botch.  I really liked them.

4TheGrillOfIt

We prefer to buy new, but we keep them a long time.  I ordered my Jeep Rubicon in 2004 and still use as my daily driver.  We bought my wife’s MB new in 2012.  Talk about a difference in depreciation.  My Jeep has retained an incredible amount of value at all in comparison,  

alaskanassasin

what saw do you prefer @sgh? you look like a stihl man

SGH

alaskanassasin said:

what saw do you prefer @sgh? you look like a stihl man

I run Husqvarna mostly. However I do have some Stihl saws and trimmers. I mostly have Husqvarna because they are easier to work on and always had a much closer dealer. 

With that said, there are things I like about both brands. Kind of like Chevy and Ford. The best saws that I ever had was the Stihl 066 (not the new 660) and the old version (pre-Xtorq) Husqvarna 372. Those was wicked saws without question or peer. Sure wish Husky and Stihl would build them like that again. 

alaskanassasin

@SGH I like Jonsered saws, a kissing cousin to Husqvarna. Among others I have had a 2063 for twenty years or so, a high rpm closed port cylinder, full skirt piston. 

 Two things about Stihl I really like. #1 they never sold out to the box stores, they have stayed true to a small dealer network. #2 torx screws, I don't know how many allen head screws I have fought on husky, jonsered, echo etc. Torx never seem to strip.

 I am dabbling with JD, so far a tractor, auger cart, rake, drill, harrow. Seems like good stuff but I will probably never buy new, a new small tractor capable of light field work is going to be $120,000+

SGH

alaskanassasin said:

@SGH I like Jonsered saws, a kissing cousin to Husqvarna. 

Very similar saws for sure. 

Among others I have had a 2063 for twenty years or so, a high rpm closed port cylinder, full skirt piston. 

Awesome saw 👍

 Two things about Stihl I really like. #1 they never sold out to the box stores, they have stayed true to a small dealer network.
I also like that. And respect them as a company for that. 

 #2 torx screws, I don't know how many allen head screws I have fought on husky, jonsered, echo etc. Torx never seem to strip.

Guess I have been lucky 🍀 with the Allen heads so far. 

 I am dabbling with JD, so far a tractor, auger cart, rake, drill, harrow. Seems like good stuff but I will probably never buy new, a new small tractor capable of light field work is going to be $120,000+

I hope you have the same luck with Deere that I have had 👍

mEGG_My_Day

nolaegghead said:

Datsuns were great, had a 240 and a 260Z.  They are my least favorite since they changed to Nissan except for Mitsubishi. 

I loved those early Zcars.  I had two RX7s back in the 80’s and thought they were amazing.  Then my my friend let me drive his 280z - what a great car.  Those cars were a blast to drive.  Hell - it might be 20 years when I last drove a manual transmission.  

nolaegghead

mEGG_My_Day said:

nolaegghead said:

Datsuns were great, had a 240 and a 260Z.  They are my least favorite since they changed to Nissan except for Mitsubishi. 

I loved those early Zcars.  I had two RX7s back in the 80’s and thought they were amazing.  Then my my friend let me drive his 280z - what a great car.  Those cars were a blast to drive.  Hell - it might be 20 years when I last drove a manual transmission.  

I had a 1980 RX7 for a while.  The CAT would start small grass fires and glow red at night.  Fun, smooth torque curve, burned oil like crazy.  Was due for a rebuild and I didn't have the resources back then.

mEGG_My_Day

nolaegghead said:

mEGG_My_Day said:

nolaegghead said:

Datsuns were great, had a 240 and a 260Z.  They are my least favorite since they changed to Nissan except for Mitsubishi. 

I loved those early Zcars.  I had two RX7s back in the 80’s and thought they were amazing.  Then my my friend let me drive his 280z - what a great car.  Those cars were a blast to drive.  Hell - it might be 20 years when I last drove a manual transmission.  

I had a 1980 RX7 for a while.  The CAT would start small grass fires and glow red at night.  Fun, smooth torque curve, burned oil like crazy.  Was due for a rebuild and I didn't have the resources back then.

My first RX7 was a 78 - the first year they were produced.  I purchased it used in about 1983. I checked that oil weekly.  But never had serious problems. 

But I do remember some guy leaned against the retractable antenna and snapped it.  Pissed me off, but no big deal.  I get a replacement.  I remove the back panel under the hatch, replace everything and think I am good to go.  I hit the button to raise the antenna.  No go.  My dumb ass had installed the antenna in the down position, while the car was switched to the up position... ugh two hours later I had it working. 

Langner91

I typically buy new and keep them awhile.  I was a GM Loyalist until I bought a 2008 Pontiac Vibe (made by Toyota) and a 2009 Saturn.  That Saturn was in the shop 16 times in 19 months.  New Trans, new motor, it was a true Lemon.  That Pontiac (Toyota) never saw the service department.  My kids trashed it and it came back for more.

So, I switched to Toyota / Honda and haven't looked back.  I have had several and no issues.  

Lit

I try to buy used but like others have stated if you are buying a car that holds their value like we do (Hondas and Toyotas) then its a challenge to find used deals. It took me 6 months to find our 4runner at a price i though was a deal. Keep it washed and waxed and we dont drive that much and even when its 10yrs old and we trade it in we will get 60% of what we paid back. My parents traded in their 2013 tacoma recently and got $5k less than they paid for it. I dont understand the thinking when people buy these Kias and Nissans that are basically throw away cars.

QDude

Lit said:

I try to buy used but like others have stated if you are buying a car that holds their value like we do (Hondas and Toyotas) then its a challenge to find used deals. It took me 6 months to find our 4runner at a price i though was a deal. Keep it washed and waxed and we dont drive that much and even when its 10yrs old and we trade it in we will get 60% of what we paid back. My parents traded in their 2013 tacoma recently and got $5k less than they paid for it. I dont understand the thinking when people buy these Kias and Nissans that are basically throw away cars.

I do the same.  Nowadays though, there is a shortage of used vehicles and deals are very hard to find on good vehicles.  I bought ny 2018 Tundra 9 months ago and finding a "deal" back then was next to impossible.  The dealers don't seem to deal much anymore.  I even went to buy on 12/31/19, hoping that there were some dealers who needed to make a sale to get their year end numbers met - nope!  I think there is a change in the air now with buying vehicles.

bradleya123

Always buy used.  I still have my 2000 Toyota Tundra (325,000 miles and going) and just bought a used 2020 (1794 Edition) Tundra (5120 miles, just getting started).  

Mickey

Until 2014 (retirement) Linda and I never drove a vehicle over 5000 miles for the past 25+ years. No vehicle expenses at all except gas on Linda’s vehicle (insurance & maintenance covered). 

Yes i was spoiled. Then retired and living like the rest of you. At retirement bought Linda a new Sienna van and myself a new TRD 4x4 Tacoma (the same as i drove as demos for years). 

Today over 100k on my Tacoma and nothing done but a couple of batteries and tires. I change out Linda’s Sienna at 75k and we are on the second one. 

I will only buy new and she loves the ugly Sienna vans ( they are great travel vehicles) and will keep changing hers at 75k. Betting the my Taco will be fine till 200k +++. 

Will stay with Toyota and new. 

alaskanassasin

I agree @QDude. Several dealers told me they advertise their cheapest price online. They also are not impressed with cash, they would rather get you financed than take a check. Times have changed.

northGAcock

Had been a Honda guy (Civic, Accord, Pilot) over the years, have driven Fords in my much younger years. Last two cars I have purchased have been Subaru’s (Outback & Crosstrek). Not sure how many more autos I will purchase, but maybe a late entry into the Subaru for life family. We will see. 

frazzdaddy

alaskanassasin said:

I agree @QDude. Several dealers told me they advertise their cheapest price online.

They also are not impressed with cash, they would rather get you financed than take a check. Times have changed.

The F&I office is a major profit center.

frazzdaddy

northGAcock said:

Had been a Honda guy (Civic, Accord, Pilot) over the years, have driven Fords in my much younger years. Last two cars I have purchased have been Subaru’s (Outback & Crosstrek). Not sure how many more autos I will purchase, but maybe a late entry into the Subaru for life family. We will see. 

Subaru's are great cars.

xfire_ATX

Started my life in VWs- thats what the parents had.

67 VW Bug hand me down
81 VW Rabbit moms
## VW Rabbit dads
74 VW Bug bought

I totaled both bugs damaged one the Rabbits all before 19, time to switch.

Parents for an inexpensive POS Toyota Tercel that cost me more in repairs in 2 years than I paid for it.

Bought my first brand new car when I was about 23- Geo Metro.  Drove that for 2 years, got married along the way and wife wanted a new SUV so we sold the GEO and I drove her older

VW Fox- which guess what was totaled, replaced with
New Isuzu Pup (10+ years)

New Isuzu Rodeo- great car, traded it so wife could get new SUV 5 years)
New Mitsubishi Montero- POS dumped (2 years)
New Nissan Xterra (10 years)
New Nissan Pathfinder- (14 years just got rid of it) Traded Pup for it
New Nissan Rogue- (Still Own)
Used Nissan Rogue- Just bought 

Except for those first few cars I have only bought new, except for that Rodeo my wife had to replace and the Monterro we have gotten full use out of them.  Tried this time around to buy a pickup but they are just more than I wanted to spend- New or Used, full size or mid size.

WeberWho

My last two vehicles have been used Ford Rangers in manual. My first one I bought for $2,600 and put 100,000 miles on it with very little maintenance. My current Ranger isn't too much different than my first.  I'd love to see it make the 2-250K miles. 

They aren't anything fancy. No bells or whistles. Cheap vehicles that get me from A to B. I've never had a car payment. If money grew on trees I'd love a newer full size truck but no real complaints with my little Rangers.

fishlessman

for personal vehicles. two dodge darts from a salvage yard to make one, launched 20 feet high then rolled it over a few times on the highway. took the 340 v8 out and put it in a 72 dodge power wagon. 1985 f150 with 18k on it, miserable truck, rebuilt the tranny, replaced the water pump, radiator, starter, 3 on the tree fell off the column, distributor went, front end parts, rear end, sold it at 40k miles. 89 dodge dakota sport truck with convertible roof, this one was new, drove it into the ground up til the frame died and the doors wouldnt open. hummer h2 sut for 11 days, rolled it over. 2010 rover L322 autobiography. somewhere in there there was a chevette beater, no floor boards under the passenger seat, dont go thru a puddle, clutch was for 1st gear only

QDude

alaskanassasin said:

I agree @QDude. Several dealers told me they advertise their cheapest price online. They also are not impressed with cash, they would rather get you financed than take a check. Times have changed.

Dealers make more on the financing usually than the profit on the car.  When buying a vehicle, don't tell them how you are paying for it until you have agreed upon the price.  And don't buy the overpriced warranty program!  That's where they really make a killing.

JohnEggGio

My repeat buys have been:
VW
1981 Rabbit diesel
1986 Jetta

Dodge
1996 Grand Caravan
2001 Grand Caravan
2005 Durango Hemi

Lexus
1990 ES 250
2007 ES 350
2013 ES 350 (wife, now daughter)
2019 ES 350 F-Sport (wife, surprised her last Valentine's Day)
Each of these has been substantially improved upon the previous. 
Others along the way:
Saab 900
Nissan Maxima (company car)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (company car)
BMW X1 - 2013 bought used in 2015 - my current ride.

JustBuggin

I tend to lean towards Chevy for trucks but as for cars I've had a couple makes.

Two Honda Accords (one saved my life in an accident)
Mazda 3 (amazingly reliable car)
Dodge and Chevy SUV
VW
A couple older CJ-5 and -7 Jeeps. Loved those Jeeps. I beat the hell out of them and they took every bit in stride.

I usually look for a vehicle that is low mileage but used. My current truck was a little under 2 years old with 4000 miles for example. Of all my vehicles only the Mazda was brand new when I bought it.

Gulfcoastguy

Living where I do, there is one big problem with buying used, previously flooded by saltwater hurricane cars. They get sold to savage companies, the title is is pencil whipped and you have n idea about the big bunch of problems that you just bought.

Canugghead

3 used and 4 new over our 40yr driving, boring vehicles, no truck no suv no sports    Honda and Toyota only the last 15yr.

Only one worth mentioning is my college dad Honda minivan, bought new in 2000 when first of three kids started university out of town. FF 20 years, all kids graduated with multiple degrees, two Dr although they don't deliver babies! Still chugging with original engine, tranny, A/C refrigerant, entire exhaust system, etc. Started to show rust in two areas since I stopped the annual rust prevention spray about five years ago, in my neck of the woods winter salt is a car's worst enemy.

GrateEggspectations

Canugghead said:

3 used and 4 new over our 40yr driving, boring vehicles, no truck no suv no sports    Honda and Toyota only the last 15yr.

Only one worth mentioning is my college dad Honda minivan, bought new in 2000 when first of three kids started university out of town. FF 20 years, all kids graduated with multiple degrees, two Dr although they don't deliver babies! Still chugging with original engine, tranny, A/C refrigerant, entire exhaust system, etc. Started to show rust in two areas since I stopped the annual rust prevention spray about five years ago, in my neck of the woods winter salt is a car's worst enemy.

Good on you. Where did they study?

Yeah, I hear you on the salt. Our vehicles take a mighty beating in these parts. 

Canugghead

@GrateEggspectations Thanks, #1-UoW Waterloo, UofT, #2-McMaster, UWO London, #3-McMaster, UoW Waterloo, UofT.

Edit: on the rust control front, I prefer paying Krown annually or biannually, over dealer one-time paint/rust protection package ripoff.