I bought my first new pickup in 88,never bought old junk ever since.Probably had a least a dozen or more since then all brand new-not one put a dent in my bank account.
Only the first one cost a little bit of money-you make payments to yourself after the first one then by the time your first one is 10 years old you got enough in the bank for a free one plus what you sold the old 10 year old one for is a good chunk of your next new one.Before you know it you got a couple or 3 newer vehicles(under 10 years old) to drive,and so each has low milage.
I got 3 vehicles now,oldest is 2017 f 150-great trouble free truck and I will sell it for a good chunk of cash.New one is only about 60g cad got plenty set aside to buy it cash.
Only a fool will make payments to someone else for a new vehicle.
Pay yourself and use your money to enjoy since you worked for it.
I bought a one year old 2wd 97 f150 in 98 and traded it for a 98 f150 4x4 in 99. The 99 ate a red oak at 55mph after an old man pulled out hit me in the front quarter panel and the impact sent me off the rode into the tree.
Bought my wife a year old mini van 2 times in the last 20 years.
I have had bot nearly new and good used and I much prefer something 5 or 6 year old or much older.
Financial vehicles are about the worst investment you can.make. they loose 50 to 60 % of their value in 6 years and most people are paying intrest on a depreciating asset.
Glad it works for some and glad you can pay cash. But most people are financing them and thats one of the biggest wealth killers in the US. If I keep a vehicle 10 years it will be wore out and ready for the junk yard. But I drive more than the average individual.
Different preferences and ways of doing things. What works for me may not be what works best for somone else.
The truck I went to lok at tonight I passes on. Was not running as smooth as I prefer and had no transmission fluid on the stick. Hard pass. Shoping around is part of the hassle of finding a good used one.
Also I dont want a new one with all the electronics on them. Other people love the conveniences and heated seats and such.