Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Phentex

(16,561 posts)

5. New or slightly used...

Sat Dec 31, 2011, 07:07 AM

Dec 2011

with so many car dealerships here, you can get a great deal on a car that was used as a loaner or the test drive. I bought new using a discount service and drove that car into the ground (around 13 years). I will drive the current one until either of us dies.

I'm not sure how a lease is really frugal because a lease ends before the life of the car usually.

For me, the most important things are to have financing taken care of ahead of time (including what it will cost to insure and maintain the tag), sticking to your budget, knowing the cost of any add-ons, and being ruthless when it comes to the haggle. I have considered a job as a professional car buying haggler.

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When you need to get another car, [View all] Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 OP

I've done a mixture of all your options over the past 20+ years maddezmom Dec 2011 #1

I was surprised to hear anyone was leasing, Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #12

due to the ex's career we never were in country for more than 2 yrs at a time maddezmom Dec 2011 #18

That makes sense. Not having to store a car Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #20

I am a low yearly mileage driver. Melissa G Dec 2011 #2

Very reasonable for a low mileage driver. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #13

I normally buy used, but got burned once. Ruby the Liberal Dec 2011 #3

This is a great suggestion to run the numbers Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #14

My car is 25 years old. MADem Dec 2011 #4

Yep, same here!!! n/t RKP5637 Dec 2011 #7

Wow, I think you win the frugal award for this. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #15

Well, I had more than one car for awhile--different uses, different needs. MADem Jan 2012 #45

You and I came to the same conclusion Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #47

Introducing "The Fruggies" ... eom Kolesar Jan 2012 #46

New or slightly used... Phentex Dec 2011 #5

I would just love to have a professional haggler in my corner. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #16

I've had old and new. Some cars I've had 20 years old in pretty much mint condition. My cars RKP5637 Dec 2011 #6

Buying new is what I have always done in the past, because of long commutes. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #17

From a frugal point of view, definitely used. Starboard Tack Dec 2011 #8

I agree that used is definitely more frugal. Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #10

Most mechanics will inspect a prepurchase for a fee. Ruby the Liberal Dec 2011 #11

About the Prius Starboard Tack Dec 2011 #23

Mine is almost all highway with little slowdown Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #26

Consider renting for vacations Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #28

I have a Toyota Matrix now. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #31

A new Prius costs about $5,000 more than a new Matrix Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #33

I suppose that there may be used Prius's out there now. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #34

We're on Catalina island off southern California Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #35

I always thought that there were no autos on Catalina. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #37

There are autos. Not many and we don't have one here. Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #38

Check this link for used Prius prices Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #36

8-10 years to "break even" is a bad financial gambit Kolesar Jan 2012 #52

Regarding the battery on the Prius Starboard Tack Jan 2012 #53

I buy 10 year old used, with low miles,, preferably owned but little old ladies bahrbearian Dec 2011 #9

Bwahahah, you might be disappointed to know Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #19

I used to repair all my cars, but now days, being a fat old man, I leave it to the youngsters bahrbearian Dec 2011 #25

I buy used, always. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #21

You are right, the computer is great Curmudgeoness Dec 2011 #22

Always have an independent mechanic look it over before buying. Starboard Tack Dec 2011 #24

I had a mechanic lined up to look at it before I bought it/them. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #27

Really depends on your needs Sherman A1 Jan 2012 #29

So this was a new car purchase, I assume? Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #30

Yes, it was a new car purchase. Sherman A1 Jan 2012 #32

I buy new cars and drive them ten years Kolesar Jan 2012 #39

This is what I have done in the past as well. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #42

I hope that never happens to me. hunter Jan 2012 #40

Why do you suggest that it was a mistake? Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #41

Car payments were a serious hardship. hunter Jan 2012 #43

Yes, new car payments can take a toll. Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #44

I (nearly) always buy a 2 year old vehicle with <24000 miles. kristopher Jan 2012 #48

Excellent. You do everything that I think we all should do, Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #49

20 miles kristopher Jan 2012 #50

Thanks for all the great advice. :) nt Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #51