New vs. Lightly used?

[neodyn55]

I've just gotten an offer for a lightly used Mazdaspeed 3. It has about 6000~ miles on it (2008) and has a price difference of about $3000 compared to a new speed3. I'm planning to get one sometimes soon - i'm just wondering what the pros/cons are?

I'm a total noob btw. I've only owned a used car before. What would you consider the differences are between a "lightly used" and a new car?

 

[desy]

Looks like about 3G
and the fact you can say you have owned it from new

 

[imported_K3N]

uh, no new car smell?

 

[theeedude]

Get a new one. It's just 3K, that's like nothing, especially if you get a better interest rate buying new and haggle some more. Especially since you never owned a new car before, you should try it.

 

[dug777]

Given the stupid prices people want for used 3's here, it's just not worth buying used.

If you've got any intention of keeping for any period of time, I'd go new any day. You've got 100% control over how it's driven and serviced that way (especially something like a MS3, which has more than a good chance of being thrashed).

 

[sjwaste]

3k is what percentage of the new price? Considering it has half a year of mileage and MSRP is 23k at the minimum, that's 13% off.

The novelty of it being brand new won't be worth $3k if its really "lightly used". 13% is a hell of a savings for what amounts to 6 months of mileage.

 

[Dman877]

Do you know/trust the seller?

 

[MiataNC]

Cars like the Speed3 tend to be flogged by the original owners.

If I was buying that class of car, I would go new.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: MiataNC
Cars like the Speed3 tend to be flogged by the original owners.

If I was buying that class of car, I would go new.

x2 which is why I bought my SRT new. I didn't want a "cheap performance car" to get beat on then have me get stuck with the problem. Yes I paid more than buying used but I know everything that has been done to the car so I wont have any problems later down the line to worry about.

 

[Thump553]

I'm really interested in hearing from people that have bought "lightly used" cars. Personally I've alwys bought either brand new or cars within one year of their projected death.

I would approach the lightly used aspect with great skepticism. Ask yourself why would someone resell an almost new car and take the huge hit on initial depreciation? Also, does the manufacturer's warranty transfer in this case? If not, that would be an absolute deal killer for me.

 

[jjanders]

Originally posted by: Thump553
I'm really interested in hearing from people that have bought "lightly used" cars. Personally I've alwys bought either brand new or cars within one year of their projected death.

I would approach the lightly used aspect with great skepticism. Ask yourself why would someone resell an almost new car and take the huge hit on initial depreciation? Also, does the manufacturer's warranty transfer in this case? If not, that would be an absolute deal killer for me.

It could take them 6 months to realize they bought a car they couldn't afford.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: jjanders

Originally posted by: Thump553
I'm really interested in hearing from people that have bought "lightly used" cars. Personally I've alwys bought either brand new or cars within one year of their projected death.

I would approach the lightly used aspect with great skepticism. Ask yourself why would someone resell an almost new car and take the huge hit on initial depreciation? Also, does the manufacturer's warranty transfer in this case? If not, that would be an absolute deal killer for me.

It could take them 6 months to realize they bought a car they couldn't afford.

For a class of car that's more likely than almost any other to have the sh1t thrashed out of it

I'd be all over it, except that...

As I said before, 3's seem to attract daft early resale values. If you want to keep it for any length of time, buy new.

If you want to buy it, flog it, and get out, used sounds fine.

 

[Chunkee]

i am wanting one, where is this one for sale? nm, it is not a grand touring...I may wait for the new 2008.5 white one...

 

[RGUN]

I have to say I completely disagree with everyone saying these cars tend to have the shit beat out of them more than the average vehicle. Specialty vehicles like these which for the most part can not be told apart from the base model by your average consumer is owned by someone who appreciates the car for what it is and not as a status symbol, and I would say they are more likely to take care of that vehicle in the long wrong. You cant really beat on a powerful car, you can gun it for a second or so and then you're up to the speed limit. I would rather have that then a generic car that someone drove without changing oil or washing it or doing any routine maintenance during their ownership. I own on of these specialty style cars and Ive gotten into the community owners and they all maintain their cars to the max...

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Originally posted by: RGUN
You cant really beat on a powerful car, you can gun it for a second or so and then you're up to the speed limit.

I don't know about that, you're assuming that people are responsible and only taking it up to the speed limit.

 

[neodyn55]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Get a new one. It's just 3K, that's like nothing, especially if you get a better interest rate buying new and haggle some more. Especially since you never owned a new car before, you should try it.

Yeah, thats something I'm considering. I struggled my way though all these years, and i'm finally making decent cash. rewarding myself with a new car seems perfect.. though the thrifty part of me, cultivated all these years, is the one that's tempted by the lightly used option

 

[neodyn55]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Do you know/trust the seller?

It's from a dealer near where I live, so I'm reasonably sure about the quality. I'd probably be more wary if it were a private party.

 

[neodyn55]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: MiataNC
Cars like the Speed3 tend to be flogged by the original owners.

If I was buying that class of car, I would go new.

x2 which is why I bought my SRT new. I didn't want a "cheap performance car" to get beat on then have me get stuck with the problem. Yes I paid more than buying used but I know everything that has been done to the car so I wont have any problems later down the line to worry about.

Good point. I'll keep it in mind.

 

[neodyn55]

Originally posted by: Thump553
I'm really interested in hearing from people that have bought "lightly used" cars. Personally I've alwys bought either brand new or cars within one year of their projected death.

I would approach the lightly used aspect with great skepticism. Ask yourself why would someone resell an almost new car and take the huge hit on initial depreciation? Also, does the manufacturer's warranty transfer in this case? If not, that would be an absolute deal killer for me.

I have to check with the warranty part - i'm pretty sure I'm getting the rest of the warranty. If not, yes, that would definitely be a deal killer.

 

[neodyn55]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: jjanders

Originally posted by: Thump553
I'm really interested in hearing from people that have bought "lightly used" cars. Personally I've alwys bought either brand new or cars within one year of their projected death.

I would approach the lightly used aspect with great skepticism. Ask yourself why would someone resell an almost new car and take the huge hit on initial depreciation? Also, does the manufacturer's warranty transfer in this case? If not, that would be an absolute deal killer for me.

It could take them 6 months to realize they bought a car they couldn't afford.

For a class of car that's more likely than almost any other to have the sh1t thrashed out of it

I'd be all over it, except that...

As I said before, 3's seem to attract daft early resale values. If you want to keep it for any length of time, buy new.

If you want to buy it, flog it, and get out, used sounds fine.

Well... I'm planning to keep it for about 3-4 years. I would prefer a higher mileage car, but I wanted to drive a powerful engine while gas is still available. I'll atone for my sins once hybrid cars become more affordable and not a status symbol. What do you mean by "any length of time"?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: neodyn55

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: jjanders

Originally posted by: Thump553
I'm really interested in hearing from people that have bought "lightly used" cars. Personally I've alwys bought either brand new or cars within one year of their projected death.

I would approach the lightly used aspect with great skepticism. Ask yourself why would someone resell an almost new car and take the huge hit on initial depreciation? Also, does the manufacturer's warranty transfer in this case? If not, that would be an absolute deal killer for me.

It could take them 6 months to realize they bought a car they couldn't afford.

For a class of car that's more likely than almost any other to have the sh1t thrashed out of it

I'd be all over it, except that...

As I said before, 3's seem to attract daft early resale values. If you want to keep it for any length of time, buy new.

If you want to buy it, flog it, and get out, used sounds fine.

Well... I'm planning to keep it for about 3-4 years. I would prefer a higher mileage car, but I wanted to drive a powerful engine while gas is still available. I'll atone for my sins once hybrid cars become more affordable and not a status symbol. What do you mean by "any length of time"?

Some folks like to change their car every six months, or year, and I doubt a hard life would catch up with it in that period, but 4 years plus and you might start to see that bearing fruit.

I'm no expert admittedly, and these are just my personal views on the matter.