Are slightly used cars still the best value?

I would either buy new (where rebates can be applied, and you know that no one has been driving the car hard/rough) or buy reliable car with high mileage. The days of getting a good deal on a slightly used reliable (i.e. Toyota) are gone, imho.

It depends how much you can get the used for. I bought my 2010 F150 brand new for $26k. I got a deal from a good friend I admit. A used comparable was only $2k less. I'll spend $2k to have a truck that no one else has touched. My overall point is, how much is brand new worth to you?

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I don't care about the immediate depreciation anyway.....I'm not buying the vehicle to trade it back in a week

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Considering I aim to keep vehicles for an average of 8-10 years (except for the aforementioned CRV,) I like buying new with extended warranties.

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Most folks on this site ridicule people for buying new and talking about the immediate depreciation

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I think most of the ridicule comes from people buying vehicles with every available package included and trading the vehicle in within 3 years.

For 95% of people the only thing they need is dependable and A/C.

Finally, a thread that makes some sense about auto purchases. Good to read some rational information.
PS. Remember to thank a wealthy person today, because without them, you have no choice in the matter.

Really depends on Rebates.

I got my truck at a price that that was cheaper than what they listed a used one on their lot that was slightly used. Huge rebate at the time though.

I think cash for clunkers pulled a lot of used cars off the street. That combined with the decrease in new car sells over the past couple of years has left a decreased supply of used cars on the road compared to the past...

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extended warranties

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...yeah, I wouldn't go that far.

The fashionable cars will sell at higher prices.

The good values will be the fleet models......stripped down versions of the Ford Fusion, Chevy Impala, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonota, and Mazda 6 etc. Even then, a used car with low miles and decent fuel economy will sell pretty quickly.

Also something to consider....10 years ago, not many cars on the road that lasted more than 150,000 miles. Most cars can easily do that today as long as the owner takes care of them.

Cars are notorious for depreciation. Lots of people have figured out that buying slightly used examples is usually a better deal- which is why used car values are up and new car rebates are generally low. Between 2008 and 2010, new car sales were down- which contributes to a supply constraint for used cars.

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buy reliable car with high mileage

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These seem to be the best value to me.