Used Car Strategies

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I am in the market for a 2 or 3 year old silverado, f150, tahoe, or 4runner. I was wondering the money talks thoughts on purchasing used at the best possible price.

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You're not going to be particularly happy with the prices of late models of the vehicles you're looking at. You'll probably do better buying new after factoring in available incentives and lower interest rates, not to mention better warranty coverage and knowing the maintenance history. Just my two cents.

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I've noticed you are a big advocate of purchasing new vs used late model vehicles. But even though new vehicles may be better deals, you will still save thousands of dollars buying used.

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I don't think the savings are as big as you imply. Less than 10% at best by the time you factor in everything. Some people prefer the peace of mind of new, or the ability to pick the exact options you want and not have to compromise what you want due to availability.

ETA: Then, when you factor in the additional value of the newer model, it's basically a wash.

We will soon be looking for a car and we are looking at a Camary / Accord or maybe a CR-V.

Trying to decide between buying new, and buying used with 3 yrs / 50K miles on it.

You mean buy new?

Not looking for a truck. In the larger family car / smaller SUV / Crossover segment, what do you think the savings between new after discounts and 1-3 year old used is? Is it worth it?

I haven't bought a vehicle since 2009, and when I did, the grand caravan I bought one year old was almost 10,000 less than a discounted new one.

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I haven't bought a vehicle since 2009, and when I did, the grand caravan I bought one year old was almost 10,000 less than a discounted new one.

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That's not going to happen on a Camry/Accord. You can get new ones for around $4k-$5k off sticker all day for the higher trims.

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trimmed out the trucks I like are like 60k. Similarly trimmed 2014's are in the 28k range.

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Show me the low mileage, excellent condition, 2014 LTZ/King Ranch/Denali etc, that are only getting $28k.

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Clue me in on what I am missing.

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Yo're not comparing apples to apples most likely.

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LNCHBOX

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I don't think the savings are as big as you imply. Less than 10% at best by the time you factor in everything. Some people prefer the peace of mind of new, or the ability to pick the exact options you want and not have to compromise what you want due to availability.

ETA: Then, when you factor in the additional value of the newer model, it's basically a wash.

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I've been looking at a full-sized used truck off-and-on for well over a year. My current ride is a 2000 Toyota 4Runner SUV. It's got 241,000 miles on it at present.

I've been on AutoTrader looking-like I said-for well over 12 months. I'm the type whose going to drive the wheels off a truck (as evidenced by the fact I'm still driving a 17 year old truck with well north of 200K), but I'm also the type that's looking constantly at what's out there for what price, etc. It's just part of owning and driving high mileage vehicles that you may need to be on the lookout for one at a moment's notice I guess. LOL.

The prices I have seen for 2012-2013 Ford's & Toyota's are significantly discounted from New Models. I can take screen caps and update this thread, but there's no implication. I can search thousands of listings and there's a consistent, significant discount in the range the OP is looking for.

Beyond that, OP is looking for a used automobile. You're saying that there's a want/wish factor for ordering just the right types of finish, trim and features that make new/used a wash. If you're buying used to begin with you're already accepting the fact that you can't make to order or go ala carte when looking for the right vehicle. So I don't see how that's some mitigating factor between new and used.

Again though, I'd be happy to take some screen caps later this evening to show you. The cost of a new vehicle-even base models-is a vast increase compared to the cost of a 3-5 year old vehicle.

Vast.

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The cost of a new vehicle-even base models-is a vast increase compared to the cost of a 3-5 year old vehicle.

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You just shifted what the OP was looking for into a different realm. Difference between a 2-3 year old vehicle and a 5 year old is big in my opinion.

I agree, that purchasing used will lead to better deals. I think LNCHBOX is just stating that sometimes the savings is overestimated. As someone pointed out though, if you shop your arse off, you can find something. I bought my Tahoe used when I stumbled across one. Vehicle I bought this weekend was new since we wanted significantly low miles, and anything under 10k miles was listed only a few thousand below new MSRP.

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New 2016 King Ranch at a volume dealer

Used 2014 w/ 25K miles

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Not a fair comparison at all considering the ridiculous amount for additional features the new one has that you couldn't get on the old one. And you also picked the most expensive MSRP you can get for a new King Ranch. That truck has almost $13k of extras.

As a Ford owner, I wouldn't touch an Ecoboost again..