Just purchase an '03 TL-S 3 weeks ago

When I returned the Maxima that I leased for the past 4 years I was telling my self that the car still had an very up to date look plenty of power and features and that if I had bought it I would of probably kept it. The Maxima's retail price was 38k in June of 02' just about the same as the TL-P the TL-S was closer to 42k, correct me if i'm wrong. If you were to buy a used '03 Maxima now you can get it for 16k or even less. I purchased my TL-S for 19k if you do the math in 4 years both cars lost more then 50% of there value which is actually quite good compared to domestic cars but are the new cars really worth the new car premium price depreciation is b...

Furthermore the premium for getting the brand new TL was rediculous the '03 model was half the price of the used '04...I know the model is hot but man that's crazy..2 x 03's for the price of 1 x '04...

I'll probably go with a slightly used luxo german or the '04+TL, again saving myself boat loads of cash and still driving a very nice car.

There's alot of advantages of owning a new car but do they really outweight all that much the savings of owning slightly pre-owned car

Financially it doesn't add up for me, although there's nothing like new car smell...

 

Yes I completely agree with you. But one thing I have noticed is if you can't afford to buy the car new, when it comes time to repair something major you probably won't be able to afford the repair costs. Especially going to the stealership. But yeah i just plan to buy used cars from now on. After the first year or two they depreciate alot right there.

 

Then again, there is that first time you find a scratch on your brand new $40,000 baby... or that first time you notice a door ding... or that first time you return to your car and find someone has backed into your bumper(sending ripples through your paint) and didnt leave contact info.

I am guessing the 99 TL was about 40k new? if so i ended up paying about 1/4 of that 7 years later. I cant wait until I can afford a TL-S...maybe a 03 or 02.

 

o yea... its even worse when you park in the furhese corner... 1 mile from the store, and when you return you find a door ding, or a POS 1980 rusty ford astrovan parked next to your car..

 

To each his own I guess, I just traded my 03 TL-S with 41K on the clock for an 06 TL mt nav and couldn't be happier. If you don't mind that the car is not as tight as a new car, or that you can't have a manual tranny more power to ya.

 

how much did they give you for your 03 tls?

 

Don't get it twisted I can definitely afford a brand new car and the repairs of a used car...although I don't really consider a 3-4 year old car all that used especially when we're talking about Honda's. Nevertheless I rather have the money in my pocket before hand and dish it out IF i have to. I might had, the first car I ever purchased was a '91 Accord work like a charm for 5 very servicable years. Furthermore, since switching from domestic cars my familly and I have had 6 honda's very little problems exept for my fathers '98TL and my brother's '95 Integra which I think had most of there problems after the 6-7 years. All and all I think that I'll keep it until it I have to take to the garage a little too often.

Of course I mind that the car is not has tight...then again you pay what you pay for a very nice car for the price...and a whole lot of money left in my pocket. I have a different view of things I use to buy everything I wanted and I'm trying to do better moves financially now

 

If I remember right, the 99 TL maxed out at about $33-35k (with navi and kit).

 

I think used is the way to go...let somebody else eat the depreciation and buy an extended warranty to cover anything major that might come up.

 

I would NEVER EVER buy new if I don't have to. As you said depreciation is ridiculous. Buy a used car. Japanese cars usually drive like new until 80 K anyways (of course at a reasonable maintenance level). Plus u could find killer deals on used if u do the research. I've been buying used since I was 18 yrs old and have never really lost much or any money on a purchase cuz the initial purchase was sooo much under private party that I was able to sell it in a couple of years for the same price or nearly.

I bought a 93 Accord for 5K (SE model) and sold it for 3K after 5 years. Sold it with 165K on it. Drove it for over 70K miles. 2 K in 5 yrs is hella worth it.

All other cars I never lost money on.

Buy a good used car. As I said, Japanese cars rairly have problems. If you're worried, buy a warantee for $1500 - $2000.

 

Couldn't agree more. The last brand new car we bought was the 2000 Ody for the family since I couldn't find a use at the time. This morning I bought a previously enjoyed mint 03 TL privately and just save myself 6% tax and interest payment.

 

Thread belongs in O/T CAR TALK. Feel free to repost there.