Dave Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 So why do we do it?.. we all know that second hand cars are so much better value. They don't go wrong and don't depreciate anywhere like as fast as a new car does.. drive it off the forecourt and you've lost £2000! Are we all mad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamD Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Probably. I have had far more problems with 2nd hand cars over the years though. The problem is that you have no idea how they have been treated in the vital first few thousand miles.... But I agree, financially it rarely (if ever) makes sense to buy new Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Yes, the allure of driving a new car and being the first one to thrash the living shite out of it is too much for too many people to ignore. Many people would rather have an 07 plate car on their drive rather than buy a 56 plate car in Jan/feb time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] second hand cars are so much better value. [/ QUOTE ] Yes, but they're never in the right colour! Seriously, if you're a fussy git (me included), the chances of finding a car in the right condition, the right colour combinations, and the right options is minimal, especially when you're looking at (say) a BMW where the options "list" is a 36 page book (I counted...how sad!). So we don't bother. Actually, the one time I did see the right car (etc..), I bought it ex-demo and loved it. Mind you, at the time I couldn't afford it new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted November 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I do agree, getting the car set up to your exact specifications is magic, and when you see it for the first time.. well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixthecat1 Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I've bought new before and frankly when I came to sell it I was kicking myself. I'd rather let someone with more of an interest in number plates take the hit thanks. Buy a car that's a year or two old with a full service history and you are a wise man. Quite feankly modern cars have management systems and service schedules that remove the risk of what happened in the first few months. All you have to worry about is accident damage. Get this verified and off you go, who cares what the plate says? Tian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philbes Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Never bought a new car, although I've had new company cars. Now I buy at 9-12 months old with 5-10K miles and save around £4K/£5k. Keep it for around 2½/3 years and the depreciation is around £5K. But I did enjoy ordering and having a new car when companies were paying for them. But please keep buying new cars and changing them regularly, it ensures that I have something to buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 There's nothing like the new car feel and having one you know you ordered in pristine condition when you pick it up. Value wise it is a no brainer to buy secondhand or 'ex demo' however if we all did that, there wouldn't be any new ones sold except fleet and soon no secondhand ones to buy. Then we'd be a bit burgered! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] So why do we do it?.. [/ QUOTE ] Five reasons, I reckon. 1) Status - like it or not, there's a lot of status to be had from having a new car on the drive, if that floats your boat. It's a bit like showing someone how much money you've got, whether you buy a new Daewoo or a Lambo. 2) Impatience - so many people I know don't want to wait for 6 or 12 months after a new model is released - they want to own and drive it now. 3) Marketing Pressure - it's constant. Car companies push the "desirability" of new cars so much these days, whether it's economy, green-ness, speed, luxury or whatever. 4) Ease of Access to Finance - "it'll only cost me an extra £XXX per month for the new model" - madness but true 5) Insanity - no, I don't get it either. If I had £60K to spin right now, I would go out and buy a spanking RS4 Avant. No reason. I just want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixthecat1 Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If we all did that, there wouldn't be any news ones sold except fleet and soon no secondhand ones to buy. Then we'd be a bit burgered! [/ QUOTE ] True, but also obvious. I love people that only ever buy new, they keep the market in second hand cars nice and fresh. I respect you all. Tian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] So why do we do it?.. we all know that second hand cars are so much better value. They don't go wrong and don't depreciate anywhere like as fast as a new car does.. drive it off the forecourt and you've lost £2000! Are we all mad? [/ QUOTE ] Speak for yourself. I refuse to buy a car new. I am happy to let someone else take the hit first as soon as it leaves the forecourt. Always have done and will continue to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Ah but if everyone were like you EssFour there would be little secondhand choice. Keep egging on those who don't consider depreciation to buy new for your own gains! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparticus Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 I always buy new. Always get the best deal I can knowing that I will take a hit on the residuals but then I always keep my cars for at least 5 years. Selling a one owner 5 year old car with full history is easy. For me it is the knowledge that what I have bought is mine and having saved for it, and researched it and knowing exactly what I am buying is where the satisfaction comes from. Its not just about the status, money etc, it is the satisfaction of driving something that nobody else has enjoyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Ah but if everyone were like you EssFour there would be little secondhand choice. Keep egging on those who don't consider depreciation to buy new for your own gains! [/ QUOTE ] Your right P_G....New cars I love em. You cannot beat that new car smell.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 My Mk5 GTI is the first new car I have ever bought. My BMW had just one previous owner who was a friend (and it was his spare car which I occasionally borrowed) so I knew that was a good deal. I've known the history of my other cars but while I lived in Chelsea for 25 years I always used to hire a car - So I guess I got used to different new cars. We all know that new cars take the biggest hit financially at selling time but you have the opportunity to buy more precisely what you want. I have to say that ordering a car to be custom built (from factory options) makes the car feel very personal and special when it arrives. When I used to race bicycles they were all custom built made-to-measure and I experienced that 'one-to-one-with-machine' feeling. It's not dissimilar to the bond with an animal. [bloody Hell! Has RedRobin finally become senile? WTF is he on about!?] Another aspect is that sometimes the new car is the only one on the market that floats your boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] it is the satisfaction of driving something that nobody else has enjoyed. [/ QUOTE ] I know you were talking about cars, but.......I assume that one of those characters in your avatar is/was new! Bring on the vestal virgins............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedywheels Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] So why do we do it?.. [/ QUOTE ] Five reasons, I reckon. 1) Status - like it or not, there's a lot of status to be had from having a new car on the drive, if that floats your boat. It's a bit like showing someone how much money you've got, whether you buy a new Daewoo or a Lambo. 2) Impatience - so many people I know don't want to wait for 6 or 12 months after a new model is released - they want to own and drive it now. 3) Marketing Pressure - it's constant. Car companies push the "desirability" of new cars so much these days, whether it's economy, green-ness, speed, luxury or whatever. 4) Ease of Access to Finance - "it'll only cost me an extra £XXX per month for the new model" - madness but true 5) Insanity - no, I don't get it either. If I had £60K to spin right now, I would go out and buy a spanking RS4 Avant. No reason. I just want one. [/ QUOTE ] 6) The desire to have a virgin car rather than something that may have been thrashed mechanically in its infancy. You are also guaranteed that its never been smoked in if you buy new (if that bothers you) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 Both my 106s, Zest and GTI were 2nd hand - which was fine as they ran ok and weren't bad colours. Both my 206s however were new - as the GTI 180 has only just been launched when i bought mine and i wanted one soooo badly that i had to have one - new was the only option. When i sold the 2nd 206, the HDI, I lost sooo much in 12 months that i promised myself that i'd never buy a new car again until i was well-off (like that's ever going to happen!!). My next car was new, but that was a company car which was nice - someone else, namely HSBC Fleet can take the hit of the depreciation and my employer will pay for this. However, with the prospect of a new car being needed and my 'Am i mad' thread - i've been thinking about the Fiat. Spoke to the dealer earlier when confirming the test drive and he said that they're on approx 8 weeks delivery. I told him that if that was the case, i'd probably wait until 1st March, yet if i ordered now would be able to have one by the end of January if i wanted (which i would need for work) but i would even consider a hire car or something until the new car landed - if i was spending my money on a new car, i'd rather have it look new, rather than potentially 5 months old. Im looking into this whole new car thing and mileage-wise, i think i really need to look at 2nd hand - the C2 VTR and VTSs. Shame as the dealers seem like a bunch of arses!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurfette Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Im looking into this whole new car thing and mileage-wise, i think i really need to look at 2nd hand - the C2 VTR and VTSs. Shame as the dealers seem like a bunch of arses!! [/ QUOTE ] It's a shame you weren't looking 6 months ago - you could have bought mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted November 24, 2006 Report Share Posted November 24, 2006 It all depends on the car. The R32 was bought new because it was new out and that was the car I wanted. If it had been out for a year and there was the opportunity of buying the right spec/mileage car for cheaper - I would have. Thats what I did with the CSL. Now unless the 997GT3/RS is going for the same money as the next gen CSL... im going to have to buy new! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v6tas Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I do agree, getting the car set up to your exact specifications is magic, and when you see it for the first time.. well.. [/ QUOTE ] Unless it comes from a VW dealership that is.....GRRRRR bloody Hull VW still gripping my sh*t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 It may be mad to buy new cars but I have to say driving my car out of the big glass doors from the showroom was a brilliant experience and felt great That new car smell is also unique Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottiefox Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 I've owned two new cars in my little life (the qS being one of them) - both of them have been trouble free (apart from minor bits to sort out). the 2nd hand ones I've bought have always had problems, sometimes fairly major or very hard to solve. Maybe just bad luck but I have to say I'd almost rather lose the cash and know its new to me than risk a 2nd hand. I know new cars can be lemons too but it just seems luckier for me to start from scratch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] So why do we do it?.. Are we all mad? [/ QUOTE ] Maybe, but more to do with arrogance, stupidity or simply being too rich to care. Ian <font color="#666666">PS. Aimed at all Brits, not Dave who I quoted. Keeping up with the Joneses' is still rife in this country..... </font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] It may be mad to buy new cars but I have to say driving my car out of the big glass doors from the showroom was a brilliant experience and felt great That new car smell is also unique [/ QUOTE ] I was cacking myself reversing mine off the forecourt - you hear these horror stories about pensioners stacking their new Almeras into the dealer principals X-trail on the 1st March don't you!!? My new cars were all trouble free apart from the 206 HDI D Turbo that simply wouldn't start at 63, yes, SIXTY THREE miles. Ok, these things happen - it's new you shouldn't discount any sort of fault but i did get a tad angry when the service dept at the pug garage told me it was 'normal'. "Normal?? Ok, so when the f**k will it start again then" were my words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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