# Buying a car - what do I need to know?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-car-what-do-i-need-to-know/841186>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 3, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-car-what-do-i-need-to-know/841186 "2019-10-03T01:53:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2019, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-car-what-do-i-need-to-know/841186/21 "2019-10-08T14:47:24Z")

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> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#):
>
> I was actually beginning to come to this realization on my own as I “shopped” for my vehicle and found myself surprised at how close the prices were between a year (or even two years) old and new.

To me the sweet spot in used cars is 2-5 years old and around 40,000 miles. That gives you a car that’s still relatively new, may still have some factory warranty, but is (usually) a lot cheaper than new. Makes like Honda, Toyota, and Subaru tend to depreciate less.

But yeah when it comes to new cars you can often get low or 0% financing and other incentives from the manufacturers. Plus you get all the warranty which is a really nice feeling while it lasts. Main downside is of course price.

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