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> not b/c the car itself has changed It has nothing to do with that particular car, but rather the "unknowns" about that car. It could be a very nice car in ab
by mbreese 11y ago
> not b/c the car itself has changed
It has nothing to do with that particular car, but rather the "unknowns" about that car. It could be a very nice car in about the same condition as when it was brand new.
When it is new, the car is a fixed entity. There is nothing unknown about it. Once you drive it off the lot, there is something unknown about the car - Where did you drive it? Was it in an accident? Did you drive it too hard? Did you change the oil when you were supposed to? Too much wear and tear? Did you spill something on the seats?
Because of that, once it is no longer new, the car has more risk associated with it, and thus loses value (in addition to value lost due to normal wear and tear). You could have driven only one mile, but that one mile could have been off a cliff for anyone knows.
- bittercynic 11y agoI think the idea that a new car is a fixed entity is a common misconception. Unless you built it yourself, do you really know anything more about this than a used car? In either case, it is a good idea to drive it, listen carefully to the car, and look for signs of damage (contaminated fluids, etc.) The new one may have an advantage because of the warranty, but taking advantage of the warranty can be a huge hassle. If you just want no-hassle car ownership, it may make more sense to buy an old beater that's running good, and when it starts to give you trouble, buy another one.