I've never owned a new car. In fact, most of the cars I've owned were between 5 and 10 years old when I bought them. That said, I really prefer buying off priva

I've never owned a new car. In fact, most of the cars I've owned were between 5 and 10 years old when I bought them. That said, I really prefer buying off private sellers, especially when they're the ones that bought the car new. They might be pulling one over on you, but it's easier to judge the history of the car when you meet the owner, see their garage/driveway. If you just need a car to get you from point A to point B, there's no reason a 5-year-old Honda won't work for you. Especially if you're a two-car family. Obviously, though, there are other considerations. If you drive 50,000 miles a year for work, a new car is probably smarter. But for the average commuter, I don't think it's necessary to drop 25 large to get a reliable vehicle.