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Comment by holoduke | Hacker News Reader

Who is buying a new car these days anyway? Maybe the older generation who are living in their cheap paid off homes. But i dont know anyone below 50 who ever bought a new car. 50k for a small refrigerator? Compared to a 10 year old bigger car for 15k with similar operating costs and no hassle.

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The past few years have been some of the historically best times ever for buying new cars. Used cars are crazy expensive right now[1]

[1] https://www.motor1.com/news/688040/used-cars-more-expensive-...

The used car market has gotten expensive, you’re not saving much for a similar vehicle. And a 10 year old vehicle at that price point is, in the average case, absolutely not going to cost the same in maintenance.

The pendulum for new versus used has swung far in the direction of new cars, compared to a decade ago. The caveat is that it might take 6 months to get a new car due to inventory issues. I think used is much more expensive because it’s nearly the only option, regardless of cost, for folks who need a car this week.

> Compared to a 10 year old bigger car

Why does so many people act like the bigger a car is, the better?

Here, here. I'm a bigger fellow than average, and the best size for me is the smallest one I can fit in comfortably.

Having mostly owned 10+yo cars, there is a significant repair cost that randomly recurs. And the frequency trends upward with the car age.

I bought a new car in April of 2020 and it was a screaming deal. Paid 3k under MSRP for a prestige trim and the total price was in the 20s. Maybe your friends just don't know a buying opportunity when it comes around?

I bought a new car in April of 2020

2020 hardly counts as "these days"

Same. Buying a car is a significant purchase for me and I only do it when I'm able to get a deal and mainly buy used. 2020 was ridiculous. I basically named my price.

Yeah, try that in 2023 and get back to me.

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