New car or used car

United States
November 5, 2009 10:55am CST
Do you think it is smarter in this economy to buy a used car or keep your car and just pay to have it maintained. Right now, it is actually cheaper for me to pay to have our two cars maintained and repaired than to make payments on a new car. Is anyone else in the same situation?
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United States
5 Nov 09
Used economy car (beware of some of the Toyota and Lexus cars right, I have heard some negative things about those cars), under 20,000 miles, with a warranty (if you can get one), and make sure that that car will not turn over easily.
• United States
6 Nov 09
Thanks for the great tips on a used car. I never thought about check on turn over.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
5 Nov 09
For us it is much cheaper to keep the cars that we have maintained. We have a 2003 Honda Civic and also a 1995 Toyota Paseo. Both of our cars are fully paid for so the only monthly expenses that we incur with them is the cost of our car insurance and also the cost of the gasoline that we use. Compared to the cost of a car payment on a used car, these expenses are minimal because we'd still have to face the expenses that we do right now in addition to the car payment if we were to have a new car. We plan to drive both of the cars that we have right now until they will no longer run.
• United States
6 Nov 09
That is exactly what we have said. My favorite is "We are going to drive them until they burst into flames". Then I'll have my brother in law rebuild them. Ha Ha.
• India
8 Nov 09
Yes it is better to have your car, and just maintain it properly. Of course now days not only used cars, but even new cars are available at a steep discount. If we go in for a used car, we do not know whether the used car is going to be good, or it is going to have some major repairs after a few months. At least with the car we are using we know that what is the problem the car is having and what is it going to cost for us to have it repaired. So it is better to keep your car instead of going for a used or new one.
• United States
7 Nov 09
Hi, Mac! I guess what I drive is the answer in itself! I have a 1987 Oldsmobile Calais! It looks terrible and it's noisy and a bit shaky, but it gets me where I need to go, and it has every feature a car could have in its day, all of which work perfectly!
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
I think at this times,a used car that is still working well is a good choice.maintenance costs less than buying a new car.if you don't feel like driving,you can carpool with friends.you get to save on fuel and other cost.I believe that cars should be bought for usage,not as status symbol.some buy new cars to show off,but they are actually drowning in debt.