I got ya, WI. I was just throwing that option out there. Options are good!

Both but the internet makes it easier. Finding deals can be a lot of frustration. I have made some long drives to buy vehicles that are not like they were represented. Making a wasted trip.

It also helps to have the model of vehicles in mind you want and problem areas and what to look for in those models. For example Ford excapes have rust issues on the rear passenger side at the spring hanger.

My want to buy list is Toyota camary 120k miles or less for 6500 ( reliability and good mpg) , tundra 2021 18k or less depending on year and milage (longevity or older with v8, watch for frame rust) , maybe a 2015 -17 f150 15k or less with the natural aspirated 3.6 becuse its got aluminum body panels and its the most simple motor offered in them that year. Older f150 with 4.6 for more reliability under 130k miles 8k or less. 00-05 Ford focuse under 120k miles 4500 or less( missed a manual transmission one with 89k miles for 3500 last week sold when I was on my way to look at it) Just to name a few for an example. Having an idea of what you want and are looking at. And for helps avoid problem vehicles

Good deals sell fast so you have to be ready to move with cash fast when you see one. It gets frustrating truly good deals on nice old vehicles are harder to find ant take time and effort to find. But it saves me a lot in the long run.

In still shoping I have one son turning 16 in June, so need another truck and I want another gas saver car as well so looking for 2 more vehicles. But he may end up with the truck just bought if I find one if the more expensive trucks listed above. I will drive it 6 months until he is eligible to get his license and make sure its 100% reliable by then. Its always nice to have options.

I’ve done both, paid cash and used low interest loans with different level payments. All of the vehicles have required dumping money to keep on the road, some more than others. I suppose when a guy says he hasn’t had any issues he’s probably overlooking routine maintenance and all the small things that add up in the end. Lifetime cost of a vehicle is a lot higher than most realize.

PF tear up your formula sheet for figuring cost of a beater. Look at other thread. All the parts going up.

But seriously. It can be a giant money pit either way. Roll the dice on used. OR buy a new one if you can. No exact formula fits everyone.
Hope you guys are having a good weekend. No rain here for 10 weeks. Gotten 6 plus inches since thursday here.

Maybe in taking all your coments wrong its all in txt after all. But ut seems like you always need to try to be correct and have something to prove.

I get it your scared of investing where the most wealth in history has been made your afraid of the corrections.

You want to go to hypothetically situations that will never happen. Go where no one buys a car that will crash the economy. Never going to happen people will continue buying when it they have to stretch financing out to 7 or even 10 years in the future.

You never stop and think how well the economy would do if people were not in debt, had options and got off the hamster wheel. People with less stress better health and more productive. People with real wealth creat more business and jobs then people struggling in debt.

I know you got to be correct and see anyone that does things differently then you and with a different opinion as some shot at you doing things wrong and you feel a need to try to be correct. Its and when a man of your age cant just say yep different methods and different needs for different people.

Bottom line look at how most millionaires buy vehicles. Very few are buying new Buffet buyers good used vehicles and drives than for years has lived in the same house for decades. But that man probably doesn't know much about being rich or staying rich. The largest majority of people buying new vehicles are neck deep in debt trying to look successful for people that are not paying attention.

Look at the amount of vehicles financed, intrest rated and how long terms are. Advertising 72 monts is coming now since vehicles are so expensive to keep payments whare people can afford to buy. And it keeps them broke running on the hamster wheel.

Not all but most. And for most people buying a new vehicle on credit is a horrible financial decision with the effects compounding for decades. I have done it myself when I was younger and I see what it cost me today. Heck I financed my wifes van just paid it off in October. But that was a smart use of debt. The intrst rate was 2.6% the van was a year old had 5000 miles on it and was 8k less than buying new but had a longer warranty since it was a certified pre owned from the dealer. I invested the 23k instead of paying for the van and made over 100% over those 5 years. Much more than the 2.6% the loan cost me. That was before covid and vehicl prices shot up along with intrest rates. Today's rates that would not make since and I would have wrote them a check.

So you dont like the markets to invest the savings of buying used they can invest in a business, learning skills that can increas thie income, paying off any other debts there are many ways to invest outside of the markets. All are better than paying intrest an depreciating assets.


Yes there is a big difference between a newer used Toyota with 23k miles vs a 22 year old ford with 81k. There is also a huge difference in price paid. You seem to have a problem looking at the compleat picture and take everything personally and like everyone is in your situation.