Question of the Night: What's the ideal age to buy your first brand-new car?

"boxrocket" (boxrocket) 09/10/2015 at 00:15 • Filed to: question of the Night, qotn

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I’ve been a licensed driver for quite a good amount of time, owned six vehicles, and driven more cars than I could hope to count over many miles.

However, I’ve not yet purchased a brand-new vehicle, mostly because I prefer to “recycle”, that is, find great deals on used cars, and own them for as long as they are useful. The newest car I’ve owned - relative to the year- was seven, and I loved it, and didn’t care about its age. My current car is twelve years old, and it compares well to modern iterations, though with fewer creature comforts (like an AUX port).

I drive brand-new and barely-used cars for work, so I’m very aware of differences in cars over the last dozen years. Sometimes I contemplate abandoning my debt-free (or at least savings-rich) lifestyle and splurging on a brand-new car (Mustang GT for my wife and I to share, or a CX-5 Grand Touring for future kid-hauling), ignoring the threats of depreciation, less spending money, and the wrath of paranoia about any little scratch or ding.

In contrast to that, my sister, fresh out of college, and with a job making at least double the amount I was when I worked three jobs simultaneously, paid cash for the 2015 Mazda3 Touring she bought earlier this year. I’m proud of her, and a little envious, as she had opportunities and a support system I didn’t, but I do not begrudge her that. I went to college and came out with a “MR.” degree, and overall I think I’m a happier person. That’s all an aside, though.

My sister - like most things she does - did a lot of research and evaluations before selecting the Mazda3, and I think she made a great choice. However, I see countless customers at work in their late-teens and early-twenties pick something only because of the color, or how the car looks, or how it makes them feel, that is, an immature, emotion-based decision. Or they choose it based on somewhat-inconsequential metrics, like gas mileage when their existing paid-off vehicle gets fairly good mileage already, and spending several tens-of-thousands-of-dollars just to eke out slightly (or even significantly) better mileage is relatively foolish given the costs involved. How the car actually fits their lifestyle isn’t as actively considered until they have taken their new car home for that age of consumer.

Actually, I see this in older customers, too. For example, my mom recently bought a sedan, when she should have bought something friendlier to her senior-citizen body type, because she didn’t feel like doing proper evaluation of her needs and only shopped at the Acura dealership she bought (and had serviced at) her previous car from.

Anyway, most of you apparently only read the headline, so to the question at hand: what age is ideal to buy your first brand-new car?

coqui70 > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:17

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Always buy used or deeply discounted dealer demo.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:17

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I think that the perfect age to get a brand-new car at is at 18 in the US. This is the point where you start to become an adult, and you need some constant in your life. having a reliable, dependable car that gives you the “new car” piece of mind is great.

as a 17 year old who got a basically new car at 16, I can attest it's a great feeling having something new, and I know it will last me for a loooong time

TheHondaBro > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:18

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Let me put it this way: if you can only afford the cheaper cars like the Civics and Corollas, don’t buy new. Only when you can afford a nicer car should you buy new.

phenotyp > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:18

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As someone who never has: 40? Maybe then.

Or, probably, never.

wiffleballtony > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:27

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I bought mine at 28. Mainly cuz cash for clunkers killed the used market.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:27

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I think if the person has calculated out the payments, disposables, insurance and maintenance to an amount they can afford with money left over for rent, food, bills and investment/recreation then they should go for it. Age is just age really. It’s better to treat yourself to that stiff sprung sports car when you are still able to enjoy it rather than waiting until you’re old and unable to comfortably use it.

GhostZ > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 00:27

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I imagine that expensive insurance and debt/lease payments take away from any sort of “reliability” you get from something new and shiny.

GhostZ > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:29

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After the age of 40-50. When you’re starting to think about retirement and you damn well don’t care about saving money anymore for the little comforts.

Unless you have the disposable income to buy new outright, that is, without financing.

camaroboy68ss > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:31

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I am 23 and last April bought my first brand new car, a 2014 Camaro SS/RS, the car is replaced was a 98 Camaro, I really wasn’t in the market for a brand new Camaro, I was looking for a nice low mile 12-13 SS, but my 14 was a leftover on the lot and they wanted to move it badly and I actually got it cheaper than most used 12-13’s on the market. I admit I did compromise on options that I though I was dead set on but really now looking back I really didn’t need them because I would actually never use them. I think the earlier you can safely assume you can make the payments on a new car then go for it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:34

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By my estimates about 30.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > GhostZ 09/10/2015 at 00:37

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Especially when you can get all the reliability you need from a 10 year old 100,000 mile Camry/Civic/XB/whatever. for 1/5 the price of a new one.

or be smart and buy yourself a Fit.

smobgirl > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:44

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When you have the money and an insatiable desire for something that demands the best available warranty and the least worn components.

My little sister is the only one in my immediate family who has ever owned a new car. My dad is 66 and probably hasn't owned anything newer than 5 years old...ever. And it's not because he can't afford it - he just doesn't think its worth it.

smobgirl > GhostZ 09/10/2015 at 00:48

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And the nearly inevitable young driver accident. My sister and I both have a spotless record...besides one totaled vehicle each. Glad mine was a $2500 Corolla and not something new and shiny.

Saazbaru > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 00:58

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Honestly? Never. I think if you are sensible and know either what you’re dealing with or what you’re looking for, you can always find a gonga deal with used cars.

Saazbaru > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 01:00

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Frankly anyone under 30 buying a new car is ridiculous. Why even? Tbh for the price of a GLI you could have a turbo civic EP3 sorted out great. Or a nice clean WRX, or a Mazdaspeed 6, or , or ,or

Tohru > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 01:07

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I’ve been driving for just over 13 years - got my temps in August 2002. On my Wheelwell profile , I have 21 cars listed. I have not owned a car newer than 1998.

Maybe I’ll get a car from the 00’s someday.

New car? Probably not.

Tohru > smobgirl 09/10/2015 at 01:09

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Mine was a ‘91 Caprice that the insurance paid out $4k for.

Tohru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/10/2015 at 01:10

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I turn 30 in a month. I own a ‘98, a ‘95, and a ‘94.

Maybe by the time I’m 40 I’ll own something less than a decade old.

RallyWrench > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 01:26

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22, that way you learn a valuable financial lesson and get such stupidity out of your system early.

Frank Grimes > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 01:41

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The newest car I ever had is a 1996...So why should people have new cars if I can’t have one!

Gripevo1 > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 02:01

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I didnt buy my first new car until 27(a Abarth) Just bought a 2016 mustang gt pp this last weekend(im 30 now). The right time is whenever you can comfortably afford it and it makes at least a little sense..

DipodomysDeserti > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 04:24

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Buying a new car cash nowadays is just stupid with the interest rates car companies are giving out. However, as some who has bought two new cars. If you can work on cars buy used, and if you can’t buy a CPO. I’ve been DDing a ‘63 Corvair and a ‘66 GMC for the last month despite owning two new cars.

DipodomysDeserti > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 04:25

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This is terrible advice if you're in school and paying for it yourself (as most people are). I'm guessing someone bought a new car for you at 16. That's not the same as buying one yourself.

DipodomysDeserti > TheHondaBro 09/10/2015 at 04:27

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Except that when considering depreciation, Civics are Corollas are probably the best cars to buy new. This coming form someone who would be caught dead buying a Civic or a corolla.

DipodomysDeserti > wiffleballtony 09/10/2015 at 04:30

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I own five cars. Three of which were purchased off CL with a total value of under $5k. This is a BS answer. It's 2015. Cash for clunkers is no longer affecting the used market.

Montalvo > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 07:25

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25, at that point it is likely someone has graduated college, has a decent paying stable job, possibly enough credit to work with and your insurance has somehow now decided you are a rational adult.

Anything before that the used market is perfectly suited for them as you can get cheap beaters to almost brand new CPOs.

BigBlock440 > smobgirl 09/10/2015 at 08:28

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Counterpoint, if my inevitable teen wreck was a new car, it would have had collision instead of just liability on a $2500 “beater”. Though I got mine out of the way at 16.

BigBlock440 > DipodomysDeserti 09/10/2015 at 08:30

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He didn’t say he bought it new in 2015, he said he bought it new when he was 28.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 08:35

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Maybe I’ll consider a brand new car once the kids are all off to college. In the mean time I’m more than happy to drive a used car and be more on the savings-rich side.

Jayhawk Jake > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 08:47

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Easy to say as a high schooler gifted a brand new car...

18 is basically the worst possible time. Fresh out of high school, possibly about to accrue massive amounts of student loan debt. Just...no

Jayhawk Jake > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 08:51

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There isn’t an ideal age.

Some people graduate college, become engineers, and bring home $60k+ a year. Others become teachers and make $30k if they’re lucky. Both are 22 years old, but one can certainly get a new car while the other really shouldn’t.

There’s also no metric to determine if you should or shouldn’t go new or used. Most of the time it comes down to preference. Some people would prefer to have a brand new $15k car even if they can get a low mileage 3 year old car for the same price. It’s not a question of new or used IMO, just get what you want if you can afford it

smobgirl > Tohru 09/10/2015 at 09:12

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Hana, my Corolla was AFTER the ‘91, Caprice, which I gave back to my mom. That caught fire on the highway in 2005.

Wurrwulf > RallyWrench 09/10/2015 at 09:12

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I learned at 18. Had an unreliable vehicle first, then a wrecked vehicle second. Third vehicle was brand new. While it was a cheap new car (2006 xB), and it was the best car I’ve ever owned, that $350/month for an 18 year old making $12/hour was awful.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > DipodomysDeserti 09/10/2015 at 09:17

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emphasis on TO GET. not TO BUY. that's a good age to get a new car at; and not a good age to buy one at. I did miss-read the question, and I did answer it wrong, but I do feel that at 18, a young adult (if his parents have the means) would be esponsible enough to take care of a new car

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Jayhawk Jake 09/10/2015 at 09:19

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eh, I was thinking more along the lines of getting one, a in your parents get you one, because that’s the point in your life when you’re going to need the dependability.

I agree it’s a bad time to buy a new car, but to get one, it’s perfect.

And yeah, I’m a high schooler who was gifted a nice first car. yes it’s nice. yes I’ve thanked my parents for it a million times. do I feel bad that I've had the luck to be given one? nope! it's nice having a good car

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Saazbaru 09/10/2015 at 09:22

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“a nice turbo civic EP3”

doesn’t matter how good it is; I’m just not a fan of Hondas at all

“clean WRX”

that doesn’t exist on the used market :P

“Mazdaspeed 6”

do I look like McGyver?

frankly, I am more than happy with my car choice. it's a fast, reliable, safe, comfy car.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > GhostZ 09/10/2015 at 09:23

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that is a fair point. I was thinking more along the lines of getting a new car i.e. parents bought it. that's my logic there

wiffleballtony > DipodomysDeserti 09/10/2015 at 09:46

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Yes, however I purchased in 2012.

DipodomysDeserti > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 09:48

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Anyone who has people buying them cars is not an adult of any sort, yet. Adults are not given things, no matter what their age; they buy things themselves. But yes, you should be able to take care of a brand new car at 18, as new cars require very little care. The reason an adult would buy a child a new car is so that they don’t have to worry about them taking care of it.

-It’s going to depreciate whether it’s taken care of or not

-the parts are new so unlikely to wear out, and if they do there’s a warranty

-maintenance is usually free for the length of the warranty (depending on the car)

Don’t take this as a knock on you for receiving a new car. It’s not. I’m just pointing out that the most basic part of being an adult (young or old) is buying things yourself. You’re still in HS and are not required to be an adult yet.

DipodomysDeserti > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 09:51

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There are lots of clean WRX’s on the used market. Any ‘08 and newer model is still going to be fairly pricey for a used car, and is unlikely to be completely abused yet. Biggest risk is transmission and piston ring durability.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > DipodomysDeserti 09/10/2015 at 09:53

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all comes down to how you define adult tbh :P

GhostZ > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 10:09

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You don’t own the car. You’re renting.

In either case, if your parents are going to buy you a new car, the only justifiable time I can see is if they are inordinately wealthy so that they can buy it outright and want to care more about safety/comfort for you than practicality, knowing you’ll wreck it before you’re 21.... or you just graduated law / med school and it’s your graduation present from them once you have a steady job, knowing you won’t destroy it now.

Jayhawk Jake > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 11:12

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I’m not trying to make you feel bad for having a new car, it’s more an issue of perspective. Your perspective on when someone should get a new car is skewed since you’re a kid with a new car.

Jayhawk Jake > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 11:15

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No one under 18 is an adult. Period. Legally 18 and up you’re an adult, but in my experience most young adults (18-22) are really just kids with more legal responsibility.

I used to think differently, but I’m 26 and have 18-20 year old friends (from oppo) who have made me re-think ‘adulthood’. Not to mention my own experiences of that transition phase from being a kid in college to pretty much still a kid fresh out of school to a mostly responsible adult now.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > boxrocket 09/10/2015 at 13:17

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Whatever age that you can easily afford it (and running costs and maintenance) without sacrificing long-term savings.

I bought my first new car at 27 (Mazda 3s hatch), and I bought my first sports car (used E90 M3) at 34.

Saazbaru > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/10/2015 at 17:41

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Tell me that about clean WRXs again. I have a 2005 that has barely 100k miles immaculately maintained by an older gentleman for it’s entire life. What I’m saying is there are really good deals if you care to save the money. If you just want to show everyone that you have a brand new car @17, be my guest but I’m going to guess that a lot of Jalops aren’t going to take that too well.

Saazbaru > DipodomysDeserti 09/10/2015 at 17:47

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While 08+ is expensive, I can find a 60k mile 08 for less than this guy payed for a CPO GLI

DipodomysDeserti > Saazbaru 09/10/2015 at 22:30

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VW’s have terribile resale value.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Saazbaru 09/11/2015 at 22:41

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didn’t have the luxury of time to wait for the perfect car. trust me. a light blue 2012 GT stang came up three days after I got my car for $1K more. I was pissed.

plus I do love my car, so there’s that.

and yeah, I know oppo’s policy on 17YO’s who get $20K+ cars as their first ones, but I’m fortunate enough to have one

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > GhostZ 09/11/2015 at 22:44

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well actually we did in fact buy the car outright at the dealer, in cash, and that lead to an interesting piece of mail from the IRS some weeks later, asking where we got the money from (both my parents work and make good money) so we’re not even paying it off at all. I don’t see how you’ve concluded that I’m renting it? sure, it’s in my mom’s name legally, but I’m it’s primary driver on all documentation, so I don’t really get that...

And yes, I know I’m lucky to be in the position I am. I’m also very thankful for what I have and love it.

also, I’m not trying to humblebrag, even though I know for a fact I am, but it's kind of the only way to explain the situation

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > DipodomysDeserti 09/11/2015 at 22:46

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don’t really care about that... we’re probably not selling it for a long time

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > DipodomysDeserti 09/11/2015 at 22:47

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time wasn’t a luxury. I needed a car within a few days, and I don’t really like WRX’s as much as GTI’s GLI’s.

so yeah, I picked what I did with good reason

DipodomysDeserti > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/12/2015 at 01:08

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You were offered a free car and you picked a GLI? This world is going to shit. So you learn from your parent’s mistake, never buy a car based on a tight timeline. It leads the bad decisions.

DipodomysDeserti > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/12/2015 at 01:13

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I only mentioned it to let Saazbru know he would have a hard time finding a good WRX for cheaper than a used VW. When I had my ‘08 WRX I found a ‘12 GTI with 50k less miles for only $1k more than I'd be able to sell my WRX for. I would have sold my WRX but the GTI felt gutless on the test drive compared to my turbo swapped and tuned Rex.

Saazbaru > DipodomysDeserti 09/12/2015 at 01:56

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(as a Saabaru owner) I cannot actually think of why I wouldn’t get a WRX. But then again I’m biased...

(jk there is gas mileage...)

DipodomysDeserti > Saazbaru 09/12/2015 at 02:07

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I’ve owned lots of different Subarus, and the biggest knock is the interior quality. Although the older ones weren’t too bad. My ‘91 loyal has a more solid interior than my ‘13 FXT or ‘08 WRX did.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > DipodomysDeserti 09/12/2015 at 02:46

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I could say the same thing about your car. You paid real money for a corvair? what’s the world come to?!

and yes, I was given the choice of a free car and I picked the GLI. Do you know why? because I drove brand new, fully loaded $32K V6 premium mustang, and I hated it. it felt like shit. Same thing goes for the Civic Si, and the WRX (2014, since the 15’s weren’t out). I settled on a red, 2 year old, certified pre owned car. I saved my parents $10K, got the car I wanted, and have worked my sweet butt off to make it my own, putting in time, money, and love in to everything I’ve done to it so far.

The end result? a car I’m proud of and I love

And on another note; my parents don’t have all the time in the world, and neither do I. I play tennis for my school, and with both my parents working; I had practically no way of getting my ass to practice. I went and test drove 8 cars in a day with my older brother (19) (2 V6 stangs, Civic Si, 2014 WRX, GTI DSG, GLI (one I got) Focus ST Fiesta ST) and I chose the one that was A) readily available B) enjoyable to me C) affordable.

So before you go around calling my car a “bad decision” keep in mind I drive a car that new was $26K, has about $4K of modifications on it, is less than 5 years old, is reliable every day, and has about 40K miles. Different strokes for different folks.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > DipodomysDeserti 09/12/2015 at 02:47

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....just read this, ignore my angry comment I made like literally 10 seconds before this one, my bad. thought you we're bashing on my car

GhostZ > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 09/12/2015 at 16:40

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I mean that you’re renting the car from your parents. If the car is sold, you don’t pocket the resale money, so it’s not like your parents gave you a$30,000 investment, they are loaning you a $30,000 investment.

And don’t worry about being judged, I know tons of people in your situation (friends at my school have parents who buy them Porsches ) so you’re not that bad by comparison.

Saazbaru > DipodomysDeserti 09/12/2015 at 23:16

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That, that, that’s true. This is why my car made a terrible Saab...I sometimes think about how cool (and expensive) it would be to build it into a Saab that could have sold well...