Used car prices

[pete6032]

I'm looking at buying a used car. I don't need one right this moment, but I will within the next 6-9 months. With all the talks of tariffs I'm thinking about just buying one now rather than later. Do you think this is a good idea? Or will the tariffs not impact the used car market?

 

[MrSquished]

If new car prices go up, used car prices will go up - so if tariffs affect new car prices, then yes, the used market will be affected.

I almost bought a new car last year but only wanted to buy it all cash and ended up doing something else with a chunk of the money. I had a small fender bender this year which was my fault. No insurance involved as the other guy was good to go. Anyway, I was debating fixing the hood or not, and then I looked at new car and used car prices. They were insane, including the used car prices.

I ended spending 3K on fixing my car cosmetically and some worn out parts that were not defective, just end of life, and two new front tires. I have a pre-2010 Honda Accord with 150K miles and have had it for life, so I know it's history of maintenance and issues - and it's rock solid mechanically. I was looking at cars 10-20K - even at 10K I wouldn't have gotten much of an upgrade from my current vehicle.

If you definitely will need a used car within the next year and can't fix up your current ride, look now. It might be slow during the holidays, look that up, and if so, like start looking tomorrow and take advantage before Trump does his thing and while you might be able to get better deals at this time of year as well.

 

[Fenixgoon]

What is the correct edition of your current vehicle? What car are you thinking of buying? There are some great deals now (used or new). But some especially good used ones.

The best vehicle is one that's 1) reliable and 2) paid off.

 

[manly]

I'm looking at buying a used car. I don't need one right this moment, but I will within the next 6-9 months. With all the talks of tariffs I'm thinking about just buying one now rather than later. Do you think this is a good idea? Or will the tariffs not impact the used car market?

I don't believe Trump will actually slap tariffs on Canadian crude oil and Mexican auto parts, but I wouldn't guarantee that he won't. He's most likely using it as leverage for unrelated demands, such as forcing Mexico to prevent foreign migrants from transiting across its territory to the southern U.S. border. One of the U.S.'s key policy goals is to block Chinese automotive brands from entering the lucrative American market.

Not to mention his administration will be way too busy rounding up tens of millions of residents to do much else besides passing tax cuts for billionaires and corporations.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't see prices coming down in the next year. They can only go up. Regardless of what Trump ends up doing, the economy will be some level of fucked, and prices almost never drop when things are fucked. Markets like stability one way or the other. You can plan around stability. With a semi sentient chimp at the helm and trained clapping seals cheering him on, it's nothing even approximating stability.

tl;dr
buy soon

 

[nOOky]

Around the 1st of the year is generally a good time to buy new, so ideally it's also a good time to buy used because the new ones had so many incentives etc. to get them moved and of course they stick it to the folks trading in. The best time to buy a vehicle is when you need one.

I am not 100% certain that tariffs will be a major factor, but I bought a new vehicle, a new washer and dryer, a new OLED tv, and because I expect the incoming administration to do what they say, because they screwed the farmers last time with the tariffs.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'm in the same boat, really need to start thinking about another truck but really can't afford it so add that to the credit line I guess lol. This one didn't last me as long as I would have hoped, considering I paid like 14k for it and only got a few years. It did save me thousands in delivery fees over the years so guess that's one way to look at it. The rust is getting pretty bad and it's at a point where it's beyond economical repair.

When I start looking more seriously I will try to get one of the newer Fords that has aluminium body, will last longer. I hate that it's so hard to find long box trucks now too but think I'll just have to accept that, and buy a cargo trailer. If I'm going to do that though, I might just buy a SUV, they are cheaper. I'd even settle for a sedan and put on a tow hitch but don't really see much of those at all anymore.

 

[lxskllr]

Checkout government auctions. They tend to have real work trucks, and they also tend to take care of their stuff. so it's less likely you'll get something that had the shit beat out of it.