9 Cars You Should Never Buy New

It might seem like a dream come true to buy a brand-new car, but not all of them are worth the money. The worth of a car drops the most as soon as it leaves the showroom. For some models, the drop is much more noticeable than for others. Some cars aren’t good choices to buy brand new because they aren’t reliable, they cost a lot to maintain, or they’re more affordable to buy used.

Knowing which types are better for buying used is important if you want to make a smart financial choice. This article will take a closer look at nine popular cars that aren’t always worth getting new, even though they have strong name recognition and great features. These cars, from sedans to SUVs and trucks, might be best bought after they’ve been owned by someone else. Read on to find out why you might be better off buying these types used instead of brand new.

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry has been hailed for a long time for being a stable and useful sedan that doesn’t cost much to maintain. It does, however, lose a lot of value in the first few years, which makes it an iffy buy when it’s brand new. The general experience isn’t that different from slightly older models that can be bought for a lot less money, even though newer models have more safety features and tech updates.

The Camry is also one of the most-leased cars, which means there are a lot of cheap, well-kept choices on the used market. If you want to save money, buying a Camry that is two to three years old has almost all of the benefits of a new car without the instant loss of value. Its resale worth also goes down because there are too many of them on the market. This makes the used choice even more appealing for drivers on a budget who still want reliable performance.

Hyundai Elantra

Even though the Hyundai Elantra has come a long way, it’s still best to buy one that’s already been used. When you buy a new Elantra, one of the worst things is that it loses a lot of value very quickly—often a big chunk of its value in the first year. New models have better technology and get pretty good gas mileage, but older models are pretty much the same and don’t cost as much.

Some model years are also less reliable than others, especially when it comes to the engine and electrical systems. It is best to buy a used car that has already been reliable. It’s not always a good idea to buy a new Elantra because the insurance costs can be very high compared to how much the car is worth. Since there is a big market for barely used Elantras, it’s easy for people to find approved pre-owned models that still have their warranties. These offer better value and peace of mind for a lot less money.

Mazda 3

People often compare the Mazda 3 to more expensive brands because of how well it handles and how nice the inside looks. But when bought brand new, it loses value at a rate that doesn’t make up for the money it cost in the first place. Even though it’s a popular choice as a fun-to-drive small car, the later versions don’t bring any big changes to the features or performance. In this way, slightly older Mazda 3s offer almost the same driving experience for thousands less.

A lot of first-time buyers are drawn to the car’s sporty look and feel, but they might not know how quickly it loses value when they want to sell it. The Mazda 3 is still a popular choice on the used market because it is reliable and doesn’t cost much to maintain, making it a better choice for drivers on a budget. If you choose a model that has been used sparingly, you can get all the benefits of this car without having to deal with the costs of early devaluation.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma has a great reputation for being a tough and dependable midsize truck, but getting a brand-new one isn’t always the best way to save money. The Tacoma’s worth stays high over time because it is known for being durable and able to go off-road. In fact, used models often sell for more than other trucks. Because of this high resell value, new owners pay a lot of money for the car up front, but it loses a lot of value in the first couple of years.

Also, the style and technology of new Tacomas haven’t changed much in a few model years, which makes older models almost as appealing. There is a big difference between buying a new and a used Tacoma when it comes to usefulness and durability. A used Tacoma is also much cheaper. Smart buyers should think about buying an approved pre-owned Tacoma to get the most features and dependability for the least amount of money.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a very famous full-size truck that is often priced too high when bought brand new. Even though it has a lot of power and can pull a lot, it loses a lot of value quickly and might not be reliable, especially in newer model years. The price seems to go up with each update, even though many of the changes are small or more about how they look than how well they work.

When they are first bought, trucks like the Silverado often have high insurance and registration costs, which add to the cost. There are a lot of low-mileage Silverados on the used truck market that can tow just as much and have all the current features at much lower prices. Most of the time, these used models are well-kept and ready for long-term service because they were leased back or used by a fleet. If you choose a lightly used Silverado, you can save a lot of money without giving up speed, comfort, or usefulness. Used trucks are better for people who want to get more for their money.

Honda Accord

People always choose the Honda Accord as their midsize car of choice because it is comfortable, gets good gas mileage, and has a high resell value. But getting a new one might not be the best way to save money. The Accord is known for being reliable, but it loses worth quickly in the first few years, so a used model is a better deal. In fact, many Accord fans choose two- to three-year-old models because they still have almost all of the speed and features of a new one but cost a lot less.

Because so many Accords were sold, there is a strong market for used ones. It’s easy to find well-kept cars with low mileage and full service records. The entertainment systems and driver-assist features in newer models are a little better, but these improvements rarely make the higher price tag worth it. If you want a stable, high-quality car that won’t break the bank, a used Honda Accord has all the benefits of a new one without the price tag.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic and the Honda Accord are both well-known and trusted small cars, but if you want to get the most for your money, the Civic is one of the worst new cars to buy. Because it is made in large numbers and is popular with leaseholders, there are a lot of great used Civics on the market, and they are often half the price of a new one. The Civic’s technology and safety features are appealing, but these improvements are generally small from one generation to the next.

This means that older models are just as good for daily drive. The first few years are the worst for depreciation, and insurance rates can be too high for a small car in this class. For a lot less money, you can get almost the same dependability and gas mileage from a used Civic, especially if it’s approved pre-owned. For buyers who want to get the best deal, the used market is full of chances to get this known brand without having to deal with early devaluation.

Toyota RAV4

In the United States, the Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular SUVs. However, it doesn’t always live up to its brand-new price tag. There are some nice features that come with new RAV4 models, and they get good gas mileage, but they cost a lot and lose value quickly in the first couple of years. Also, the RAV4’s style and main features haven’t changed much over the last few versions.

This means that there isn’t much reason to spend more on a new model when a barely used one can do the same job. For a lot less money, buyers can often find approved pre-owned RAV4s with low miles, longer warranties, and all the important features. Buying a used RAV4 is a good way to get a good deal on price and performance because it has a long history of being reliable and holding its value well. Families or travelers who are watching their spending can save a lot of money in the long run by taking the used way.

Subaru Outback

People who like to go on adventures and families alike love the Subaru Outback because it has all the useful features of a car and the power of an SUV. But because it costs a lot up front and loses value quickly, it’s not a good choice when bought brand new. The latest Outback models have some small changes to tech features and driver-assist systems, but the main things that make it desirable—its all-wheel drive, big cabin, and good safety record—have stayed mostly the same.

This means that older models can be just as useful and reliable while being a lot cheaper. Subarus also have a reputation for having loyal customers, which means that well-kept used cars are often easy to find. People who buy a certified pre-owned Outback can get all the benefits of this capable crossover without having to pay as much as they would for a brand-new one. Value and long-term happiness are more important, so this is the better choice.

Last Thought

There are times when getting a new car is the smartest financial move. There’s nothing better than the smell of a car that has just been driven off the lot. The above-mentioned cars all have good brand names, but they lose value quickly or aren’t much better than used cars. You can save a lot of money by choosing a slightly used model that doesn’t give up much in terms of quality, features, or dependability. To be a smart buyer, you need to look past the allure of “new” and instead consider value, life, and the total cost of ownership.

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