Why Is New Better?

[petayV8]

Why do people think just because a car is newer its good. My one friends was saying how much of a great deal he got on a 10 plate VW Fox. he said he only paid so and so and was geniunly asking me what he thought and i just said wow great, and just walked away sniggering. like below

Someone else i know was super excited because she was getting a Mazda 2 on a 11 plate saying shes never owned such a new car and is really excited


I really dont get the thinking behind it, first of all i couldnt justify spending so much on a car just because its new or newish when there are so many great used bargains out there. second why just because its new is it better? does it makes my 14 year old Lexus i heap in most peoples eyes. because ide much rather drive my W reg IS200 than a car like above in a million years. It runs flawlessly and being 14 years old means nothing to me. but you see sooo many of these types of cars on the road and to me its a no brainer you can get a beautiful Lexus for peanuts. They are all so souless as well, just blending in like boxes on wheels everywhere :yack:

rant over

[dave1]

If no-one had purchased your IS new then you would not have been able to own it now!

My wife had her last car for just over 13 years from new and it was only replaced due to the fact it got hit by someone. At the time the "scrappage allowance" of £2000 was active so we chopped it in for a new (not ex demo or pre reg) i30 in 2009. The car has now done 14k, combination of long and local driving. She will probably keep the car until it "dies" and we have the benefit of knowing everything about the car.

Not everyone buys "new" to impress others or to get bragging rights, sometimes it is a matter of common sense. My Lex is 09/2002 which i purchased in 2008 when I traded my '96 Lex for it. I can see where you are coming from Pete but realistically if you look around at cars nowadays, most cars within certain segments look very similar.....mainly due to computer design.....and have done for many years.

[Stuno1]

Some folks just like the new car feeling and knowing no one else had driven it.

Personally I like those people as they suffer the depreciation :)

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

The only reason I would buy new would be for the peace of mind that a warranty gives you.

[petayV8]

some good points i must say. thanks for the enlightenment!

[IHgs300]

Only ever bought one nearly new car, and that had to be returned to supplying dealer for repairs more times than all subsequent cars put together,

Stick to the older models now and since finding Lexus spend even less time/money on repairs. 2 batteries on 2 different cars in 3 years.

[Rich OB]

I totally agree that people automatically think a newer car is better full stop, usually people who just buy a car for having a car. By that I mean they buy by looks mainly, not spec, not by it's reputation or it's future value or status etc.

I have always said I would prefer to drive a 5+ year old car which is top of its model range even if it costs me the same price as a brand new supermini or city car.

I did own a brand new car in 2004, which was stolen a year later from outside my house. That's when I bought my Lexus, which I still have now. I have driven many cars and nothing compares to it even at 13 years old. I have never had a car so long with such high mileage. Now it isn't worth much I will just keep it until, well until whenever.

Unless I could afford a brand new car that I would class as equivalent to a top spec prestige marque I wouldn't buy newer just because of it's reg.

Although the feeling of collecting YOUR car, driven and owned only by YOU is brilliant! Not to mention that smell!

[nelmo]

I think it depends on how much you know/care about cars; if you just think a car is for transport and have no interest in them otherwise, you buy as new as you can afford because you think/hope it will be reliable. People like that think that any car over 5 years old is a 'wreck' and will fall apart very soon (because the Daily Mail tells them so).

I've personally only bought 2 new cars and that was for a simple reason; they were new models and not available second-hand. One of them was a new IS200 I bought in 1999 - a beautiful car which I would probably still have now if kids hadn't turned up and forced me to buy an MPV :megaangry: (actually, thats b*ll*cks - without kids, I'd have a bl**dy Ferrari by now :megaangry: ).

[LexIS200Sport]

New cars smell nice too... :D

[Gruntfuggly]

I just begrudge paying more than 3K for a car. I'm with petayv8, I can't get excited about an anonymous box. Modern cars just look nasty for me - to be honest I don't really like any other model lexus apart from the IS200/300...

I don't get people who (like my mother in law) do the 'options' type scheme where you buy a new car then 3 years later trade it in for another new one. Seems like the most expensive way possible to run a car...

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

New cars smell nice too... :D

Just get one of these mate ;)

[LexIS200Sport]

LOL... cheers mate

Actually, this topic kinda reminds me of this ad :P

[Bluesbreaker]

Never understood the logic of buying brand new,and when the car hits the road outside the showroom,it immediately depreciates,I do understand the motive behind buying new,though,for the fact that nobody else has driven it/ warranty scenario,-but that doesn't impress me enough,I've always thought that buying someone's 'cast off' at one or two years old,a better proposition,as any initial faults,etc,would have been sorted out by then, anyway,in the long run,I think the 'buy new' fad,is just that,generated by motoring media hype and advertising,I can't see the need to keep changing cars all the time,when the one you have,is prefectly fine,and does the job it was built for,and that's why I'm keeping my old Lexus.

[Lillywhites]

So ok then answer me this out of all you that said they would not buy a new car how many of you go out and get the latest new phone or ipad or camera or gadget when it comes out not because you need it but want it or go on expensive holidays or spend hundreds on a named shirt or jacket do you do it to show off or do it because you like it and yes before you say the costs cant be compared but its about personal choice, not about one upmanship or snobbery as in my case my car was 5 years old no warranty and getting a fantastic trade in price I don't drink or smoke but my only luxury is my car and I have never lost a nights sleep worrying about what my neighbours think but as we speak I am looking at buying a 1972 triumph herald don't think that can depreciate much more lol.

[Rich OB]

Well material items can't really compare to such things as your house or car. Yes expense is one and probably the biggest factor. I buy the latest Iphone for it's technology, iPad because how on earth do we live without one?! If you were to compare phones to cars then the equivalent to my IS200 would be a Nokia 8210!

What more can cars provide, if I was to go and buy the latest IS I would be gaining a host of latest technology, better economy and probably a more credible status among most everyday people that see me in it yes, but what more would it do that my 13 year old IS doesn't? And where do I find the 30k+ to afford it? I can afford to buy a new designer shirt and take a holiday, those things are justifiable, and if a new car was then yes I would probably buy one.

I would say those who have the money to buy a new car do not think of it in the same way those do who would have to give up life savings to fund it. And those who buy new super minis as cheap as chips just to have a new car don't understand how much better an older prestige car can be.

But of course it's all personal choice yes. You'll probably find people who drive around in 40k motors wearing Primarks best and those in a £4000 Lexus in Armani!

[noby76]

+1 Rich OB... would I like I brand new Lexus parked up on my drive?? now who wouldn't? but you sit back and think do you really need a new car when you can pick up gems on the used market. yes there will always be a risk when buying any used car but at the same time I get a sense of having made a good choice when I see some newish cars being lifted onto and RAC/ AA tow track on the hard shoulder of the motorway broken down... lets not forget some one must have bought our used cars brand new some years back so lets not beat down new car buyers. I personally don't have £30-£40K sitting in my bank account to buy a new car.well how many of us have that disposable money in general. i also don't see the point of £300 to £400 a month to finance one for 3 years only to realise after 3 years i still wont have the remaining £15K left to buy it off the dealers so i now end up with no car after 3 years totally roughly over £10,000 paid out to the dealer to drive it but i never owned it? only to start the cycle all over again for another 3 years.

my 12 year old IS has all i need for my day to day driving. yes it would be nice to have Bluetooth but i hardly talk on the phone whilst I am enjoying my drive. built in Sat would be nice but nothing that a modern Tomtom or Garmin cannot do. has power most will need for their day to day driving and overtaking, has good handling and still looks good on the roads. yes being used and at 12 years old i have had to replace one or two parts but at the end of the day i own the thing and can sell it tomorrow if i wish, i can mod it if i wish to and not limited to only do 10,000 miles a year. all in all its a win win for me

[petayV8]

Well material items can't really compare to such things as your house or car. Yes expense is one and probably the biggest factor. I buy the latest iPhone for it's technology, iPad because how on earth do we live without one?! If you were to compare phones to cars then the equivalent to my IS200 would be a Nokia 8210!

What more can cars provide, if I was to go and buy the latest IS I would be gaining a host of latest technology, better economy and probably a more credible status among most everyday people that see me in it yes, but what more would it do that my 13 year old IS doesn't? And where do I find the 30k+ to afford it? I can afford to buy a new designer shirt and take a holiday, those things are justifiable, and if a new car was then yes I would probably buy one.

I would say those who have the money to buy a new car do not think of it in the same way those do who would have to give up life savings to fund it. And those who buy new super minis as cheap as chips just to have a new car don't understand how much better an older prestige car can be.

But of course it's all personal choice yes. You'll probably find people who drive around in 40k motors wearing Primarks best and those in a £4000 Lexus in Armani!

I agree with everything you said except if i was comparing my car to a phone it would have to be the Nokia 9110 Communicator lol. my brother just got one for kicks and its so old school its awesome! just like the IS. Built like a tank and to last and like nothing else that comes out now. IS200. the latest technology crammed into a small package. IS200

[petayV8]

Remember i was talking about people buying the newest car they could afford. So say you've got 5k to spend, alot of people will look for the newest car out there for that price, when there is nothing wrong with something a bit older that is nicer to start with. I think i do forget to factor in not everyone can justify 22mpg around town so a small hatchback is a sensible option for them, as many of you have stated many people just want a car to get them to A to B and dont get as much satisfaction as us car nuts do from the little things a car can offer in terms of noise, looks and technology.

Funny people should bring up technology because take a IS200 for example, really what doesn't it have that most average cars that are on the road have? even the latest IS or any other later model prestige cars in its category the list isn't that big if you think about it. take out the array of safety features cars have now but stuff like Bluetooth, Ipod connectivity and sat nav can easily be added at very small cost, and what else is left?. Air condition, cruise control, climate control is only recently becoming standard and is still advertised as a selling point, and stuff like heated seats, electric seats and a good sound system is still left for the more luxury brands. Even my friends brand new 13 plate mini cooper S hasn't got as much equipment as my IS, she said the electric package was a extra £1500 and wasn't worth it.

[artherdaily]

i have the best of both worlds,

we have two cars, one bought new every 2 to 3 years

and one bought used every 2 to 3 years

new cars expensive as they may be, and the depreciation i learn to live with, but buy right and its not too bad

but a new car is nice, the smell, the feel, knowing its new, the reliability, the warranty the peace of mind

but saying that, having a brand new golf outside, i always choose to jump into the lexus to drive as its just a class apart even though its 8 years older

[is200 Newbie]

Good range of analogies from all ... Anyone think peoples perception of a "high miler" has changed over the years as most of these cars, especially the MK1 IS's are closing the gap on 100k and still running strong.

I think the more people realise the mileage is not really relevant on these cars then the more they will be sought after. People who have been in mine have certainly done a double take on the mileage vs the ride quality.

[artherdaily]

to be honest, i dont do high miles, even my 14 year old van has less than 50k on it,

its not that im against high miles , i would rather just pay a bit more or go a bit older and have low miles as i dont do a lot of miles myself

its not the engines its all the other stuff that wears like bearings, diffs, gearboxs, steering, UJ's etc etc

[bobbyc]

IMO I think high miles is not a major issue IF YOU HAVE A FULL SERVICE HISTORY with the car. Although it is not a cast iron guarantee that nothing will go wrong it does give you a very good insight into how the car has been looked after over the years. As David said it is not normally the engine which is the problem it is all the other parts, however if you can see it has been maintained to a high standard then it gives you a degree of confidence.

[nelmo]

to be honest, i dont do high miles, even my 14 year old van has less than 50k on it,

its not that im against high miles , i would rather just pay a bit more or go a bit older and have low miles as i dont do a lot of miles myself

its not the engines its all the other stuff that wears like bearings, diffs, gearboxs, steering, UJ's etc etc

Yes but age can be just as bad as miles - if not used regularly, bits that are supposed to move get corroded and don't move. A good example are the rear brakes on the RX400h - because the electric motors do a lot of braking, the rear discs and pads aren't used as much and a common service item is a charge to free them up.

For me, because manufacturing standards seem so much better these days, I'd prefer a new car with a high mileage than an old car with a low mileage.