Is it economical to buy a new car anymore?

It depends a lot on the brand, and car. 200,000kms on a Honda/Toyota is not the same as 200,000kms on a Hyundai/Kia, or a BMW/Mercedes.

Everycar needs a pretty big job done around 90,000miles (timing belt if the car has one, pullys, fluids, brakes, etc)... people either get this done early and sell their car with value, or they sell the car before it gets to that point, leaving it on the new owner.

My car is a 2006, and looks like it's 3 years old. It's at 88,000miles, and has never had a problem while I've owned it. It's a beast in these Canadian winters, and flashy in the summer. I paid 15,000CAD. This specific car holds it's value, even at high mileage, that's another thing to think about. I could see myself getting $7-9k for it at 135,000miles.

If you buy a new OR used car, the main factors are...

  • regular maintenance intervals
  • regular maintenance costs
  • replacement part costs
  • replacement/maintenance labor hours
  • insurance costs
  • gas mileage and gas type (87/89/91/93oct or diesel)
  • timing belt/chain
  • how the prev owner drove/maintained it make sure they have records of service, from a legit shop
  • resale value (unless you plan on driving it into the ground, then get something that will get you to 300,000kms
/r/personalfinance Thread