what is your thought process for buying a new vehicle?

[Darth-Baiter]

nobody in my life would ever describe me as being frugal.  if it wasnt for my wife, i wouldnt ever be able to retire because i own something stupid.  

 

my truck is a 2006, and i bought it used in 2008.   luckily it is a Toyota Tacoma, so reliability is almost magical.   but at 220,000 miles things are starting to fail.  it is currently in the shop having the rear driveshaft fully rebuilt.  its in good shape, but it could use some paint respray, and some minor body work.  

 

my wife thinks i should just go and buy a new Tacoma.  there are plenty on the lots around here.   i hope i can keep my truck on the road until i can at least see what the next gen looks like.  maybe even a hybrid version.   my mechanic said there is always a couple of people trying to buy my truck when it is at his shop.  

 

two more years.  that is my goal.  i have never owned a truck longer than 10 years.  this thing has been a happy exception. 

[roadwarrior]

Hit the bid and get yourself a new truck!

[throttleplate]

 

 

 

For me as long as the engine and tranny are performing optimally i drive mine untill the floorboard rusts through. I own a 2004 honda civic and am very pleased with it.

Todays cars along with the civic have CVT transnissions and i am not a fan of cvt and its steel lined belt. Also to much electronics inside the car and now electric parking brakes which is just to much tech that can fail.

I will always buy used going back a few model years to avoid the cvt, the turbos and electronics.

[Will Ketchum]

I used to shop for new when the warranty expired, but I'm past that. Now, I'll just wait until things wear out.

[Bird]

I have a low tolerance for a vehicle that starts having nickel and dime issues......dump the truck and get another one.

[Captain Phil]

At 220,000 miles your truck is at the stage where it may cost you more in repairs than buying a new vehicle.   Buying another two year old truck with factory warranty left is a good option.  I have had excellent luck with Factory Certified vehicles.  They cost a little more, but often the warranty is better than a new vehicle.  Do not buy a third party auto warranty.  If you want another Toyota, go to a Toyota Dealer and ask them to show you used vehicles with an extended factory warranty option.  This goes for all makes of vehicles.  I believe buying a new vehicle is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives.  This may not be the right time for you.  If you buy new, keep it until it's paid for.  Once you pay for a vehicle completely, it will be much easier to buy your next vehicle.

[PourMyOwn]

All I can do is offer my opinion that is through the lens of my own experience and financial situation. 

 

If you want it and can afford it, go for it. If it's a bit of a stretch, at least you have one of the best made trucks of all time sitting in your driveway. 

[gim]

I normally buy slightly used because the value of a brand new vehicle falls by a significant amount the second you drive it off the lot.  However, in many cases right now, a slightly used vehicle costs pretty much the same as a brand new one.  Case in point: I have a 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid on order and the cost is several thousand dollars lower than a used one with 20k miles.  The kicker is that I have to wait 4-8 months for it.

 

I normally upgrade to a different vehicle when the warranties begin to expire.  I've never been one to drive a vehicle into the ground, and I never will be.  Older vehicles are generally less reliable and I won't tolerate lack of reliability.

[VolFan]

‘Older vehicles are generally less reliable’

 

i just don’t find this to be true if a reliable vehicle is maintained and used in the manner that it was intended. I drive a 2006 4Runner that I dearly love. You hide and watch - it won’t start tomorrow.

[Jig Man]

I am a toys guy.  I want bells and whistles.  When I see lots of upgrades I want a new truck.  Mine is coming 3 I am looking around.

[cheezyridr]

i have never owned a truck. i don't like them for 2 reasons:

1) if you own one, people want you to haul stuff for them or borrow it.

2) i have a lead foot, and i like to corner.  trucks...handle like a truck. 

 

i may end up with a small one for my next vehicle because i want to buy a small boat, and no way am i backing a boat down a ramp in a car.  i bought a new car ONCE. 

in 1986, i bought a brand new car.  i'll never do that again. i had it 6 months, and the wife got into a crash.  the insurance company defaulted on the policy, and it took 8 years to get them into court.  by that time, they didn't pay off what they should have, the lawyers ate up more money than i got for the car, the whole thing was a nitemare.

i buy old cars, and drive them until they become a pita.  they usually last me about 5 years.  i pay cash for them. i don't care what it looks like.  if it runs good, and is reliable, i'm happy.  my current ride is an '08 elantra. i bought it with 117k on the clock. i've had it almost 5 years, it's getting to the point i'll be replacing it within a year.  so far, it's never let me down. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, VolFan said:

i just don’t find this to be true if a reliable vehicle is maintained and used in the manner that it was intended. I drive a 2006 4Runner that I dearly love. You hide and watch - it won’t start tomorrow.

That's why I used the word GENERALLY

13 minutes ago, cheezyridr said:

i have never owned a truck. i don't like them for 2 reasons:

1) if you own one, people want you to haul stuff for them or borrow it.

2) i have a lead foot, and i like to corner.  trucks...handle like a truck. 

You have full control over both of those.  You don't have to let anyone borrow your truck to haul stuff, and you have the ability to slow down and not take corners like you're in a rally car.

 

I'm not saying a truck is for you or for anyone in particular, but both of those are pretty weak to not like one given you could alter them with your own behavior.

[cheezyridr]

18 minutes ago, gimruis said:

That's why I used the word GENERALLY

You have full control over both of those.  You don't have to let anyone borrow your truck to haul stuff, and you have the ability to slow down and not take corners like you're in a rally car.

 

I'm not saying a truck is for you or for anyone in particular, but both of those are pretty weak to not like one given you could alter them with your own behavior.

 

for #1, it's true, i could always say no. for #2, i might could change, but do i want to?  ? 

[A-Jay]

I like new trucks and trade in for new every 3 years.

I've had a lot of trucks.

This current 2021 GMC AT4 has been the best so far.

Be trading it in Feb 24.

YMMV

A-Jay

[813basstard]

Here’s the flow chart:

Do you want a truck?

~>yes

do you have the money?

~> yes

Buy truck

 

Do you want a truck?
~>yes

do you have the money?

~>no

Dont buy truck 

 

 

[VolFan]

49 minutes ago, gimruis said:

That's why I used the word GENERALLY

Oh when you put it in all caps IT CLEARED IT RIGHT UP! THANKS! ????

[Tennessee Boy]

When I get to the point where I’m spending to much money on duct tape trying to keep my truck in one piece,  it’s time for a new one.  My Tacoma is 11 years old with 159,000 miles on it and still going strong.  I usually buy slightly used vehicles.  I’m a CarMax fan.

[Catt]

9 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

my wife thinks i should just go and buy a new Tacoma.

 

Momma's permission is #1 in my thought process for buying a new vehicle!

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, Catt said:

Momma's permission is #1 in my thought process for buying a new vehicle!

Since she's in charge of the 'checkbook', ya.

 

And it's still a 'No'...so I keep nursing the 2001 Silverado...

[12poundbass]

In my 39 years my dad has had 4 trucks that I can remember (I’m sure he had one before that). And of the 4 he currently owns two of them. He maintains them very well and drives them until he can’t no more. 
 

I’ve followed in his footsteps to an extent and that because I’ve been extremely fortunate to have had a company vehicle for 13 years. To put things in perspective, I’ve driven my paid for truck that has some ok and bad rust, 782 miles since October 2022. For me, I don’t want to pay cash for a newer truck and I sure as heck don’t want to make a payment on one that’s going to get less than 3000 miles in a year. 

 

 

 

Momma bear on the other hand, she has a just now two year old SUV. Same with my stepmom. My dad’s had four trucks. I can’t count how many my stepmom or wife has had. I’d probably puke! ?

[Sam]

Drive the one  you have

until it falls apart and I actually need a new vehicle.

Check on what you can about the vehicles you like most from Consumers Reports.

Ask strangers in parking lots how they like their _______ to get an honest appraisal like what is the true mileage you can expect to get in the city; on the road; towing your boat.

Rent one from a car rental company and drive it one weekend to see how it performs, etc.

Find one you like and then take it to your mechanic for a checkup.

Ask your agent or insurance company what it will cost to insure the vehicle for a year.

 

[Hammer 4]

I'm the opposite. I'd Never buy new, I truely hate the looks of the newer turcks. Once I get my settelment from my insurance co. From my beloved 2003 Chevy Duramax got totalled, I'm not looking to buy anything newer than a 2006, and even those older trucks have to many dang computers and sensors on em.

[GreenPig]

11 hours ago, cheezyridr said:

 

for #1, it's true, i could always say no. for #2, i might could change, but do i want to?  ? 

My 2020 6.2 RST corners nicely and tows my boat.

[Darth-Baiter]

I got my truck back.  The rear most u-joint was barely there.  I felt I lubed them regularly, but now I am not so sure.  The center carrier bearing was toast and was probably the culprit for the squeaky noise in reverse. 
 

I know basic auto repair but I seem to ha be less time and motivation these days.  The new Tacoma should start showing up end of this year. I can wait. 
 

we just bought a Tesla for the wife.  For years we paid ourselves the car payment which affords us the occasional new car without payments.  It will be close if i need a truck this Dec. I’m holding out and saving more.  Mid 2024 would be more comfortable for sure. 

[gim]

18 hours ago, VolFan said:

i just don’t find this to be true if a reliable vehicle is maintained and used in the manner that it was intended. I drive a 2006 4Runner that I dearly love.

You are probably in the minority to be honest.  A fair amount of car owners do not even do regular/routine maintenance on their vehicles when they are supposed to.  Same could probably be said for a number of boat owners too.