That’s true recently. In the past the new vehicle depreciated so rapidly that a 2-3 year old used car was a great deal.
IF you didn’t buy someone else’s disaster. Things like ‘certified’ used vehicles, CarFax, and other services exist because in our new low-trust society people will, because they can, sell anything that rolls including cars that were underwater during floods or otherwise should-be-junked.
It’s very dynamic; and the real rule ought to be “whatever you buy, keep it as long as you can.” The people who need to have the latest thing or style buy themselves into trouble same as phones or clothes.
“and the real rule ought to be “whatever you buy, keep it as long as you can.””
yes, indeed, that IS the real rule for big-ticket items, esp. autos ... and sometimes the best buy is indeed a new one, depending on the model and circumstance ... and an extended warranty for the latest hybrids is no joke: those things have a boatload of complex and expensive electric and electronic components, so a single repair on one of those puppies can easily pay for the extended warranty ...
the rule is similar for major appliances, only now, repair is even more essential than new (esp. if one can do their own repairs), because older appliances are often better than anything one can buy new ...
“and the real rule ought to be “whatever you buy, keep it as long as you can.””
yes, indeed, that IS the real rule for big-ticket items, esp. autos ... and sometimes the best buy is indeed a new one, depending on the model and circumstance ... and an extended warranty for the latest hybrids is no joke: those things have a boatload of complex and expensive electric and electronic components, so a single repair on one of those puppies can easily pay for the extended warranty ...
the rule is similar for major appliances, only now, repair is even more essential than new (esp. if one can do their own repairs), because older appliances are often better than anything one can buy new ...