re: Spinoff thread: What do you consider getting ripped off when buying a car?

If you can afford to, I don't see why you wouldn't want to buy new. I get you can save a couple thousand with pre-owned, but why not get something you know has never been driven before and you know the exact history of anything ever done with/to it.

I bought new in early 2013 and after I pay it off, I plan on going to trade it in towards something else new in order to keep my maximum value rolling. Not to mention, that would allow me to have a relatively new car at all times with an exponentially less chance of needing major repairs.

To me, you'll save a ton if you pay a car off in full and ride it "til it blows up" as they say, but then you have minimum trade in value left and the money you saved you'll most likely be forking right over in a down payment on your next car.