| Unfortunately, most people do not take into | | | | new car, treat it well and keep driving it for 200,000 |
| consideration the upkeep costs on a car. The author | | | | miles which most new cars are capable of today. |
| came from an unusual family and was taught that if | | | | 200,000 miles should be enough to cover the 5 year |
| you washed a car every week to avoid rust and | | | | loan plus another 5 years of driving with no loan |
| corrosion, vacuumed it regularly to avoid wear and | | | | payment. And you are not just paying a car loan. |
| tear on the upholstery, changed the oil every 3,000 to | | | | Again, like a house, you need to consider other costs. |
| 4,000 miles, and kept up on regular tune ups and new | | | | Granted, whether you buy a new or a used car, you |
| tires, to say nothing about simply being a good driver, a | | | | will still have the upkeep costs so that does not matter. |
| new car would last a lot longer. We fear that today's | | | | But do realize that you will have lower insurance costs |
| younger people are not being taught this lesson. | | | | and lower registration costs on a used car then you |
| Think about it. Is it better financially to buy a new car, | | | | will on that shiny new car. |
| abuse it so that it is worn out, and then get a loan for | | | | As with house vs. apartment, the decision to buy a |
| another new car? Or is it better for you to buy a used | | | | new car or a used one can be a personal choice or it |
| car, treat it well, have it last for 100,000 miles, and then | | | | can be an economically sound decision. But you are |
| buy another car? Or at least, if you insist on buying a | | | | the one responsible for making that decision. |