New car advise (vs used)

[Clovis]

We're buying Mrs. Clovis a new car.

I've done all my negotiating and insurance quotes.

2010 Subaru Forester XT Limited (Turbo, top trim level)
21,000 miles
$23,250

vs

2013 Subaru Forester XT Touring (Same trim level but now called "touring")
4 miles
$28,600

Factoring in the additional sales tax the new one is $5665 more and would cost $88/mo more than the used one with the same term. Since it's new, the interest rate would be 1% better then the used option.

Cars are pretty much identical, no changes in the years. The Forester is due for a redesign in 2014.

So, is buying new with 0 milese and a full warranty worth the extra $5665 in cost and/or $88 more per month?

Thoughts?

[grim]

A new one smells better than a used one.

[Matty]

Do you plan on keeping either one of the vehicles for as long as possible? If so, save the cash and get the used one and use the extra $$$ for goodies. If you're worried about resale obviously the newer the better.

[Wrider]

If you're that close anyway I'd probably go for the new one due to the fresh everything, lower interest rate, and complete warranty.

[kawasakirob]

A new one smells better than a used one.

:lol: In more ways than one.

[jcj81]

Go for the new car, In this area and market Subaru's hold value better than most, if you would want or need to sale later.

[asp_125]

Certified pre-owned? Save a couple grand and still have the warranty?

[Clovis]

When I bought my WRX new (2011) I was shopping for a 2009.

The best price I found on a 09 was only $1500 lower then a brand new 11 so I opted for a new one.

This one is a bit more.

It's out of it's new car warranty or it will be within a week but it still has the power train for another 2 years.

[TinkerinWstuff]

or buy a Honda and drive it forever

I always wanted a Baja. Dad drives Subarus but my Civic's at 206k and won't die.

[~Barn~]

Save the money. Factor it into any expenses you'll have related to the car over the term of the ownership (in comparison to the full warranty).

As people have pointed out though, it's really based on what your future plan is for ownership of the car. i.e. Do you see yourself still wanting to use either one once you get to the +5 year mark of ownership? The +8 mark?

A goood predicament to be in though, g'luck on the purchase. ;)

[mxer]

5 g's isn't worth getting used. I would only get the used one from a private party so you can "save" on the taxes if you know what I mean. If you don' t then disregard my post.

[JKOL]

Depending on when the redesign is released, $ may drop even further on 2013s. At least that is what usually happens when major model changes happen.

[madvlad]

Buy at the end of the year if new, way cheaper and more incentives given for your end given thats one less unit they pay tax on following year

[Clovis]

Depending on when the redesign is released, $ may drop even further on 2013s. At least that is what usually happens when major model changes happen.

^^ This. The redesign is most likely going to be for the 2014 model.

My WRX (2011 which was the last redeisgn year) still holds it's value and equity but that would likely change when the new design comes out in 2 years or so.

[TinkerinWstuff]

We're buying Mrs. Clovis a new car.

I've done all my negotiating and insurance quotes.

2010 Subaru Forester XT Limited (Turbo, top trim level)
21,000 miles
$23,250

vs

2013 Subaru Forester XT Touring (Same trim level but now called "touring")
4 miles
$28,600

Factoring in the additional sales tax the new one is $5665 more and would cost $88/mo more than the used one with the same term. Since it's new, the interest rate would be 1% better then the used option.

Cars are pretty much identical, no changes in the years. The Forester is due for a redesign in 2014.

So, is buying new with 0 milese and a full warranty worth the extra $5665 in cost and/or $88 more per month?

Thoughts?

I'm confused - did I miss something here or already posted where you showed what the higher cost was AFTER interest? What's the term, cuz if you're doing a 72mo then it's $6,336 more for new @ $88/mo

[Clovis]

The $5665 refers to the difference in cost and 5.9% sales tax on that difference.

The new financing incentives help offset some of the cost as it's 1% lower then what I can get on a new car.

[TinkerinWstuff]

So what's most important is the total paid over the life of the loans. What are those numbers?

Maybe I'm dense :) the total difference is the $5665?

[Clovis]

The amount paid over the life of the loan isn't a huge factor to me. It's really just a mater of the cost. Is new worth $5665 over a used of the same model/trim?

A couple of nice things the 2013 has though.

1) Bluetooth. My car has this and my wife has to have it. We use our iphones for our music so it's pretty handy to just auto-sync and play music. Her current car has an aux jack and she hates it, the wires eventually short out and she has to get a new cord every few months.

2) Back up camera. For my wife, this is pretty important... ;)

3) HID - another nice to have as she's doesn't have great night vision and drives a lot at night to her job.

[TinkerinWstuff]

The amount paid over the life of the loan isn't a huge factor to me. It's really just a mater of the cost. Is new worth $5665 over a used of the same model/trim?



I used to think that way until I bought an ATV on Yamaha credit. The bill shows up with principal and interest broken out so you see just how much money you are throwing away every month. As opposed to an automobile payment book which hides the numbers. Over the life of the loan, that difference of $5000 will cost you trice that much.

[laspariahs]

Tax isn't on the price paid, it's on the original taxable value now, to prevent the old I paid 56 dollars for a 5600 dollar motorcycle scam. They will both likely have very similar taxes.


Anyways, buying new has the advantage of the warranty, and knowing it was cared for since day 1, and apparently bluetooth, the other things wouldn't matter at all to me. The bluetooth is a safety factor, since it's handsfree talking on the phone, I would say that's worth a grand to me, the warranty, could be worth a lot, could be worth nothing..... Depends if anything goes wrong.

Ok, anyways, if you assume they both will be driven until there is 200,000 miles on the car, the used one will cost: 13 cents per mile, and the new one 14 cents per mile, since the used car as 21k on it and the new car has 8. Until 100,000 miles it's 28.6 vs 29.4 used vs new. The price per mile really isn't a huge difference, though it is 4% more.

[TinkerinWstuff]

Bluetooth costs $400 at Bestbuy installed. Looking at adding a new deck to my '02 Civic to make it more modern.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Kenwood+-+50W+x+4+Apple%26%23174%3B+iPod%26%23174%3B-/Satellite+Radio-Ready/Bluetooth+In-Dash+Deck/4769551.p?id=1218524494698&skuId=4769551

[laspariahs]

Bluetooth costs $400 at Bestbuy installed. Looking at adding a new deck to my '02 Civic to make it more modern.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Kenwood+-+50W+x+4+Apple%26%23174%3B+iPod%26%23174%3B-/Satellite+Radio-Ready/Bluetooth+In-Dash+Deck/4769551.p?id=1218524494698&skuId=4769551

Factory installed is worth more to me than aftermarket, it's usually worth more to the second buyer too.

[TinkerinWstuff]

worth $5000 more?

[laspariahs]

worth $5000 more?

I believe I said it was worth 1000 to me. Oh yes I did. So no it's not worth 5000 to me.


The bluetooth is a safety factor, since it's handsfree talking on the phone, I would say that's worth a grand to me,

Like I said, the cost per mile is about 1 cent more for the new car if it's kept for any length of time. If you drive 100 miles a day, it's 1 dollar a day more expensive, or 365 dollars a year. I don't drive anywhere near that much, so cost per day would be very minimal to me. That's assuming both cars will live the exact same number of miles. I'm not advocating for a new car or the used car just giving actual numbers, in the way I would think about it, cost per mile. I've only bought one brand new vehicle in my entire life.

[birchyboy]

Did you factor in the higher registration cost and possible insurance differences?

$5k is a big difference to me. I'd probably go with the used one, buy a Subaru extended warranty (not an aftermarket warranty), and add Bluetooth. You can also add backup cameras and throw in some fancy lightbulbs as well.

[TinkerinWstuff]

I believe I said it was worth 1000 to me. Oh yes I did. So no it's not worth 5000 to me.



Like I said, the cost per mile is about 1 cent more for the new car if it's kept for any length of time. If you drive 100 miles a day, it's 1 dollar a day more expensive, or 365 dollars a year. I don't drive anywhere near that much, so cost per day would be very minimal to me. That's assuming both cars will live the exact same number of miles. I'm not advocating for a new car or the used car just giving actual numbers, in the way I would think about it, cost per mile. I've only bought one brand new vehicle in my entire life.

Sorry, guess I missed that.

Being as I drive my car for a living, I also like to look at it from a cost per mile. But you have to look at all the costs like the total cost over life of the loan (money wasted on interest)

[laspariahs]

Sorry, guess I missed that.

Being as I drive my car for a living, I also like to look at it from a cost per mile. But you have to look at all the costs like the total cost over life of the loan (money wasted on interest)

I agree you would have to look at money wasted on interest, but I can only work with the numbers given, he didn't give interest numbers for each etc, he just said the 5600ish difference.

Anyways, I just backwards calculated how much the 21,000 miles would be worth, at 14 (driven to 200k) and 28 (driven to 100K) cents per mile, the mileage is worth anywhere from $2940 to $5880, depending on how long you keep it, assuming both cars live with no repairs to 100 or 200k.

[I`m Batman]

I would get new (for 5k more) because I will know that the car is (will be) well taken care of since new instead of HOPING that the previous owner took good care of the car on those first few thousand miles, the most important miles that will determine the life and reliability of the car.

[maktastik_jr.]

if i were to buy a subie, it would have to be a non-turbo. maintenance is way pricier. z rated tires, premium fuel only, and synthetic oil changes as well. but god damn are they quick little cars.

[laspariahs]

if i were to buy a subie, it would have to be a non-turbo. maintenance is way pricier. z rated tires, premium fuel only, and synthetic oil changes as well. but god damn are they quick little cars.

My question is why does the forester only have a 4 speed auto? I wouldn't buy an auto car, but 4 speed? 4? It's 2012, almost 2013, it's time to put that thing to rest.

[Drano]

Ugh, if you're going to spend the money, why get something that's so damn ugly? That's like having a couple grand to drop on a trick and choosing a toothless meth-head with weeping sores.

[Clovis]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think we're going to go with new.

I'm familar with the interest given that I do loans professionally ;) she'll have his car for 3 to 4 years. At 3 years its half paid off and worth 9k more so when the rate is 1.9 or 2.49 respectively (63 month vs 72mo term) you don't pay for the car twice like the old days.

[Clovis]

We ended up going with a new 2013. Mrs. Clovis is quite happy.

[TinkerinWstuff]

congrats!

[TinkerinWstuff]

Now you're planning the mods right? carbon fiber can, gut the airbox, block off the PAIR, etc?

[modette99]

Used one will also have cheaper plate tabs.

Even so I go with new if you are keeping it till it dies. If your one of those type of people new can make sense.

[Ghosty]

Near-new (especially when you know the history, single-owner, no issues, etc.) is almost always a way better deal than a brand-new car. Unless you're gonna keep it forever and totally dream of owning a fresh new car with zero miles, I'd rather save the $6k! My vote is for the used one, unless your wifey really would be much happier in the brand new one, not sure why if they're the same exact model, features, style, etc.

I always go through this "head vs. heart vs. wallet" painful decisions. But for some reason my brain always wins! Guess I'll never own a new vehicle, you drive off the lot and you just burned like $4k cash in the trash. That's how my brain wins the fight everytime. The reason I bought an '08 R1 and not a new Bimmer, lol. Save $8k+? Yes please!
Brain --> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/SpectralCat/Emoticons/poke2.gif <-- Desire


<Edit> WTF? Pays to read the ENTIRE thread, not just the first few posts, lol. Oops, sorry. Congrats Justin & Mrs. Clovis!


We ended up going with a new 2013. Mrs. Clovis is quite happy.

[aerofaze]

Congrats, Clovis! Now your wife and I need to go race our FXTs sometime... :)

She might appreciate this little blog about the car, even though the writeup is from 2008.
http://www.carlustblog.com/2008/07/car-lust--subar.html

[Clovis]

Thanks guys :)

I forgot about the more expensive to register. Didn't take that into account. Oh well.

Pictures!

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x469/jdharward/68F3DC86-B321-43F1-8C99-A635F33C290F-7771-00000780F4254C1A.jpg

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x469/jdharward/F3486CC4-6821-4BF5-AC08-DF120EE89EDB-7771-00000780EFD17E5D.jpg

[JKOL]

We ended up going with a new 2013. Mrs. Clovis is quite happy.

In case you didn't know, buying the wife a new car entitles you to special things, just like your birthday or staying in a hotel.

:boobies::hump: