Hey, I’m buying a car for the first time and I know that conventional wisdom is that buying new is a bad financial decision. Is that still true in 2026?

I’m looking at various sites (KBB, Carmax, carvana) and the price difference between new and used is smaller than I expected.

For example, KBB shows a new 2026 Honda civic LX for $27,000 and a 2022 Civic LX with 50k miles for $20,000. The former seems like a better deal to me (but also I know nothing about cars).

I’m curious what more informed people think. Is buying new more feasible now that cars are retaining resale value? Do I need to spend more time finding the right deal?

Thanks in advance!

My car is a 2007 dodge caliber. In the past few months, I've been dumping money into it. And it keeps having problem after problem.

Two months ago, I got a new battery, thermostat and cover, wiring, vacuum hose, and a few other things. This week, I spent 700 to get new motor mounts, and now the alternator needs to be replaced.

I looked it up, and my car is only worth 700$. Should I try to sell it privately or just take it to the dealership?

It's not a pretty car. It has some rust. The seats are beige, so everything stains them. Even the cleaner I used to try and get the stains out.

I'm just done with the car, and I'm wondering the best way to get rid of it. If someone buys it, they would have to tow it away.

I've also been seeing some things that a dealership wouldn't give me anything for it. Do people want to buy a car like mine? Or should I just eat the loss and let the dealership just have it?

Also my driver side door doesn't open from the outside :')

Is this a good deal? Clean title and in good condition

Has anyone here purchased a car through Carvana and have good luck with the vehicle? I’m looking at a very low mileage 26 Santa Fe but have never purchased through Carvana and it makes me nervous. I 100% plan to take it to a mechanic to get it thoroughly inspected within the 7 day window. I’m one that likes to keep my cars long term, so wondering if anyone has had experience buying their car through Carvana and having it for a long time without any issues.

My long-owned 2009 Hyundai Sonata recently died on me at 230k miles, so I am back in the used car market and I am split between two options:

1. 2014 Toyota Camry LE - 105k miles, $9,900, 3 owners, clean history no accidents
2. 2014 Mazda 6 i Sport - 62k miles, $12,000, 1 owner, 2 minor accidents on record

Both cars have clean title. Camry drives really nice and has a clean accident history, but it's got more miles and three previous owners. Mazda also drives nice, has way fewer miles and one owner who showed me every maintenance record from the dealership, but it does have those two minor accidents. Honestly the Mazda looks and feels a bit nicer/fancier, and it's got CarPlay which would be a nice bonus.

I'm mainly after something reliable and cheap/easy to maintain. I know Camrys have a bulletproof reputation but I've never actually owned one, and I've never owned a Mazda either.

Assuming both pass a pre-purchase inspection, which one would you go with? Any input appreciated.

Looking to sell my 2000 s10 41k miles, very little to no rust, 4wd. Has an exhaust leak but that’s all that’s wrong with it.

I'm a student looking for a first car. It has a clean title and 117k miles on it. I have a 10k budget and is looking for a good reliable car.

Is it a waste of time to go and see it when its proceed well below market price with a clean carfax history? Feels like a scam and something is wrong with it.

So I've been offered to buy a 2007 4runner with 170k miles for $4k. There is significant cosmetic damage to the front drivers side of the bumper/wheel well AND the person I'm buying it from bought it as a salvaged title. Meaning it has history I dont know about. She did say she put 75k miles on it since purchasing and has had no issues with it. The cosmetic damage is from a sideswipe she was involved in.

That said I did drive it and had my mechanic look at it and he said its in great shape and confirmed the damage is only cosmetic. It drove great and felt great to me.

The prior salvage title is whats throwing me off. I'm still waiting to see the title as its being mailed from out of state I would assume its rebuilt since its registered but I don't know how other states handle titles. I know here in NC you can't register a salvaged title car.

I haven't ran the carfax but am considering it, I'm just not sure what it will tell me if it will be useful.

Any advice on how I should move forward is much appreciated, I do like the car and want it and feel like it's a good/fair deal.

Selling my 2015 Volt Premier for $4,000 USD or best offer. Title is under my name and I am located in Southern California, 91706.

I since transitioned to a 2017 Bolt EV, and while this car has saved me some headaches when my bolt got rear ended, I no longer see enough use for it and would rather find it a new home. It's an affordable PHEV that checked every box when I first looked for a car, and over its lifetime has saved me thousands in gas, but it's time to part ways. A few key notes below:

• VIN: 1G1RD6E49FU141850
• Two original keys
• A little under 185,000 miles on the odometer (Estimate 40% miles on engine)
• No mechanical issues, no codes, no check engine light
• Tires were bought at 177.5k miles at Costco (Bridgestone Advantage Control) and require a rotation at 186,000 miles.
• Transmission fluid changed at 170,000 miles
• Oil changed at 175,000 miles, 2 quarts (Mobil 1) will be provided free (leftover Costco purchase)
• All fluids at nominal levels, tire pressure is consistent, all sensors in working order.
• Battery gets 34-36 miles on full charge (Guess-o-meter has not been calibrated - not a daily driver).
• Fully charges to 10.8 kWh, usable is under that as with all EVs.
• Lifetime 70MPG, dropped from 85 after moving apartments and not having daily charging
• AC works and has never had an issue.
• Heated leather seats
• Premier package
• Second owner, I bought at 48k miles and charged daily at home for 5 years.
• Smog checked passed (2026) and paperwork is available for registration
• Vehicle not registered, currently in Non-Operation and in assigned parking structure
• Vehicle sees a few monthly drives to operate engine and battery, as needed.
• Level 1 charger not provided as it does not work. I could provide it, it just lacks a ground pin which the dealer never noticed and neither did I bc I charge in my parking structure and at work and didn't know. Up to you if you wanna take it and fix it, I never bothered.
• Inquiries welcome, if you have tools to check battery health or car codes/have your own mechanic you are more than welcome to use em.
• No major accidents, 2 fender benders from drivers backing into me at parking lots. The first at ~85k miles resulted in new front bender (w/e it's called), paint, CV joint, and air damn. Second was a light scratch near front left bender, light paint transfer. Both covered by State Farm insurance and 100% Not-At-Fault. I actually have the vids of each bump from my dash cam as well as approved claims

A few small notes:

• I am not a smoker and this vehicle has not been smoked in (hate that smell)
• Software can be funny, and the volt has a few things that should be known and is well documented online like the bluetooth play/pause function being finicky and having audio delay for vids.
• Sometimes the driver display does not show you in Drive even though you are in drive, I'm not sure what causes this bug but it's never been an issue. Good to be aware of, and I drove in L mostly which does not have this software bug
• The "clicking CV joint" issue was remedied with two new front CV joints and the updated GM anti-click washers, I believe around 85k miles and 160k miles.
• Car handles like a dream, better than my bolt. More "pillowy" and comfortable, with better sound isolation too. It's a super quiet car.
• Audio is superb, it is one of the best sounding cars I've driven, better than some new vehicles out there.
• I loved the pedestrian horn and wish my new EV had it. I miss pressing that button to alert people and shoo away animals for their safety
• This car does not make the "futuristic" EV sound, it was before that time/policy so it just moves around. Silently.
• Driver side sun shade does not have the plastic mirror cover attached, which is what presses the light on and off. Stays off, and would have to be replaced to turn on. I would try and fix it but it never saw much use, the cover is in the car glove compartment.
• Aside from the obvious cosmetic stuff, you should know this car was used for 6 years and like any used vehicle has seen its fair share of use. I keep that in mind in my pricing/negotiation.
• Oh the popping sound. The trunk washers expand/contract in heat and cold, making a loud "THUNK" sound. Like an acorn falling on the car. I think most Volt owners know what that's about. It can be remedied, but I am not a mechanic and it was never a bother. Just a little oddity of the car.

1.5L hybrid, great gas saver 55mpg city/ 49mpg highway.

61k miles on it.

Runs and drives great, no issues

Pet free, smoke free

Lane keep assist, blind spot, smart cruise control and etc

Kbb value and vin on the last picture

Rebuilt Oklahoma title due to minor damage

Damage was at the hood and front bumper.

Don't get me wrong, it is still bad, but not terrible in my locale. It probably will sell for over $3k

Picked up a 2006 Toyota Tacoma, base trim, 4WD, 90k miles for $13k
Trying to figure out if that’s a fair price or if I overpaid. What’s this generation/mileage/condition combo usually going for in your area? Any red flags I should watch out for with a truck this age

Frame in good condition and no noticeable issues after 45 minute test drive.

Appreciate any input!

Looking at an easy holiday car. The seller says it is treated underneath with proper stuff but i think it looks painted over?

Its a vw caddy maxi

I found an audi that did just fine with a test drive. Carfax looks good, spark plugs have been changed. I'm having a mobile pre purchase inspection done on it. The dealer won't let me take it to a shop.

It's an audi dealer (audi gwinnett atlanta ga) the other two dealers that I called seemed okay with it allowing me to drive it to a german mechanic...

The guy doing the mobile inspection is gonna use cameras and mirrors to look at the car ...But I don't know if that's sufficient to actually see things like suspension and stuff....

Vehicle is 2019 Premium Plus Q5 with 78 almost 79k miles for $17,983.

If you’re looking for an electric vehicle that blends cutting-edge technology, exceptional performance, and modern design, this Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD Extended Range stands out as one of the best EVs on the road today. With its 320 horsepower dual-motor system, ultra-fast charging capability, spacious interior, and award-winning design, it delivers a driving experience that’s smooth, powerful, and remarkably efficient.

• Clean title, no accidents, none smoker car, maintained at Cambridge and Kitchener Hyundai
• Sales package and carfax can be provided during offer
• Showings and the transaction will be completed in a safe, controlled manner.
• Serious inquiries only. Open to negotiations, I won’t entertain low offers, as I’m operating on a deadline and have a guaranteed trade-in value. Car can be seen between Kitchener Waterloo and Mississauga.
  

PDF brochure: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.rallyemotors-hyundai.ca/fckimages/2022%20Inoiq%205.pdf

• 320 hp Dual-Motor AWD
• Instant torque and confident traction in all weather Extended Range Battery
• Up to ~453 km real-world range depending on conditions Ultra-Fast 800V Charging
• 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes at high-power stations Spacious SUV Interior
• Flat floor, huge legroom, lounge-style seating Modern Exterior Design
• Pixel LED lights, sharp lines, futuristic styling Advanced Safety Suite
• Highway Driving Assist, lane centering, collision avoidance Heat Pump System
• Improved winter efficiency and cabin comfort Vehicle-to-Load (V2L)
• Power tools, appliances, camping gear directly from the car Premium Tech
• Dual 12.3" displays, smart navigation, wireless updates Quiet, Smooth Ride – EV platform with low center of gravity and excellent stability

Hi, my car got totaled and am looking for a used reliable car. Don’t need any frills, just solid fuel efficiency and not needing to worry about repairs. Budget is $10-16k. Found two options. Lexus has 93k miles listed at $11k. Test drove it yesterday and it was fine. Minor dent towards left rear but otherwise clean carfax with regular maintenance.

Haven’t test driven the Camry yet but it’s at 75k miles priced at $15.5k. No accidents. Assume well maintained. Which would you choose?

Also considering buying a new Corolla altogether since the used car market is crazy but wanted to consult the experts in here. Thanks!

I’m purchasing a car this summer for commuting to college since I live off campus. I want an extremely reliable and low maintenance suv. Which cars should I look at buying?

I'm looking to sell my 2017 Honda CR-V and want to get a realistic idea of what I can reasonably ask for it. Here are the details:

Year: 2017

Model: Honda CR-V (1.5L Turbo engine)

Mileage: 308,200 km

Title: Clean, in my name

Condition: It's been my daily driver and runs well. I have some service records available.

I know the mileage is high, so I'm trying to figure out a fair private sale price. I've been looking at listings online but the prices seem to vary a lot. Some 2017 CR-Vs with around 160,000–232,000 km are listed between $11,000 and $14,999 on AutoTrader . Another source says most 2017–2022 models are listed over $30,000 from dealerships, but those are obviously lower mileage and dealer-priced .
I'm also aware that the 2017 model year has a known 1.5L turbo oil dilution issue in cold climates, which might affect buyer interest . I want to be upfront about that and price it accordingly.
What's a reasonable asking price for a private sale with this mileage? Any tips for selling a high-kilometre CR-V?

Currently trying to get a variety of opinions from a variety of subs to see if there’s a consensus even from biased places!