Do I Buy a Brand New Car or a 10 Year Old Car?

ayass3 on 08/05/2022 - 16:07
Last edited 09/05/2022 - 17:05

I will be retiring my 1998 Toyota Camry and buying a new car in the coming months. The plan is that I will keep the new car for the next 10-12 years and drive around 15,000km per year (so around 180,000kms all up).

I can either buy a cheaper 10 year old Mazda 3 with around 130-150,000kms. My concern is that in years down the track there will be repair and maintenance issues given the time period I plan on keeping the car for as it already has high kms. Not sure if it will even last me. I won't be buying another car unless I'm in a crash and insurance pays me out.

Alternatively, I can spend a bit more and put an order in for a brand new Mazda 3 with warranty and no kms on the odometer. I don't care about the long wait times for new cars because I'll drive around in my current Camry until it arrives and then sell it.

Which should I do from a mechanical perspective?

UPDATE:

I've put in an order and paid a deposit for a new Mazda 3 sedan this afternoon. Was told it will be approx 4 month wait. This will be the first and last brand new car I own so quite excited.
Per the suggestions on this forum, I will try and sell the Camry privately instead of trading it into the dealership.
Thanks to all.

Poll Options

  • 37
    Buy the used Mazda 3
  • 307
    Order brand new Mazda 3
Automotive Car Mazda

Comments

  • Jugganautx on 08/05/2022 - 16:07
    +10

    Buy a Toyota.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 08/05/2022 - 16:30
      +2

      But not any of the recent models with auto DPF burning, unless you love cups of tea at your dealership service department.

      • JimmyF on 08/05/2022 - 19:23
        +5

        Camry/Corollas come in a Diesel? As this is the market the OP is looking at ;)

      • Drakesy on 09/05/2022 - 14:16
        +3

        Just don't buy a diesel if you do lots of city driving.

        Having said that i learnt the hard way what a DPF can do to a car's engine, was using my diesel Audi Q7 for multiple short city trips, only had 150,000k's but that was enough to clog the DPF and effectively cause the engine to disintegrate, $8k+ in repairs later… get a DPF and EGR delete if you do buy a Hilux or Landcruiser (out of warranty) $2k vs new engine down the track

        Don't get me wrong they're great if your car is used for more than 15 minutes and can get to highway speeds for extended times but otherwise petrols are the way to go in the city…

        But yeah, not relevant to the OP's choice in cars.

        • nigel deborah on 10/05/2022 - 09:29
          +3

          Except that those things are there for a reason, to reduce the environmental impact of your car and to prevent nearby people from inhaling very unhealthy particulates.

          If you care more about a potential maintenance problem that the health of those around you and the future of the planet, then by all means…

          • Drakesy on 10/05/2022 - 10:41

            @nigel deborah: The irony is that in order to regenerate a particulate filter the car had to burn off the ash by literally dumping raw diesel into the exhaust. This greatly increases fuel consumption.
            On top of the the egr and dpf are both restrictive further increasing fuel consumption.

            So really the jury is out if its actually any more beneficial

            • greatlamp on 10/05/2022 - 19:51

              @Drakesy: It's less pollution.

              There is a lot worse greenhouse gasses than CO2. A small percentage of nitrogen compounds is far worse for the environment than burning litres of extra fuel into CO2

    • ayass3 on 08/05/2022 - 19:45
      +8

      I looked at Toyota and liked their cars but the Mazda felt a bit nicer inside.

      • payless69 on 09/05/2022 - 08:14

        I had 3 Corollas and 1 Camry. And one drive in a Cressida! (good old times)
        Corollas are cosy. If you do not need the space around you perhaps enjoy the scenery and get a compact SUV?

        • juki on 09/05/2022 - 17:12
          +1

          i love cressidas too. I found the corolla (hybrid) a little too small inside

        • Cameltoe on 10/05/2022 - 08:57
          +1

          Ahh the good old Cressida. The father of Lexus.

          • payless69 on 10/05/2022 - 12:11

            @Cameltoe: Never knew about them until a member of parliament gave us a ride in one. Looked traditional on the outside, very luxurious on the inside.
            Toyota got into Lexus in time, other Japanese failed like Infinity or Acura. Merc got the Maybach, so much legacy and fewer customers every day.
            Got too much money? Get a Koenigsegg, they will release an electric soon to show Tesla about who can build fast luxury cars.

      • WhyAmICommenting on 09/05/2022 - 15:49
        +3

        Yeah that’s fine and probably true. But your post is mainly referring to the mechanical aspect where Toyota will likely win over the Mazda.

      • maverickjohn on 10/05/2022 - 06:59
        -4

        Did you consider a BMW? A demo could be had for the same price as a new Mazda 3 Astina.
        I got my bmw 218i for 46k and Mazda Astina was 44k

        • nigel deborah on 10/05/2022 - 09:31
          +2

          I hope you've got a good mechanic! Given OP is concerned about longevity and maintenance costs, might not be the best choice…

          • maverickjohn on 10/05/2022 - 11:12

            @nigel deborah: They offered 5 years of free servicing and honestly I know more people who have had issues with Mazda than I have with bmw.
            I think theor calibre has improved recently.
            More issues with Audi and Mercedes from recent findings hence why I chose BMW

        • payless69 on 10/05/2022 - 12:13

          Outgoing PM is a "Bimmer Boy". Not many friends aongst bargain hunters.

          • maverickjohn on 10/05/2022 - 12:29

            @payless69: Lol I don't know. It's a matter of perspective. If you can get a BMW for a price of a Mazda. I don't know how many would choose the Mazda but I do think the BMW would get more sales as they would see it as a bargain. It's always seen as a tier above in driving experience. I know this is a subjective matter but once you sit in it it really feels more enjoyable. That's despite it having a 3cyl engine. The m235 is just next level fun.

            Also it may have something to do with BMW becoming the car for coppers but access to parts isn't too bad

            • greatlamp on 10/05/2022 - 19:55

              @maverickjohn: An m235 is a very decent sportcar.
              The only thing is shares with a 218i is the badge :)

              They were about 50k 3 years ago with around 60k km

              • maverickjohn on 10/05/2022 - 20:50

                @greatlamp: Yeah. I did want to go the 235 but i just know it's going to cause my licence to get revoked lol.
                The one thing I like about my 218 and the 220 which I don't like on the 235 is the front grill design.

            • payless69 on 11/05/2022 - 05:53
              +1

              @maverickjohn: My uncle bought his last BMW manual with 72 just because he was an engineer. Nothing wrong with the craftmanship. I had been to Munich several times where you can see them buzz around the Autobahns showing how to drive properly.
              But here where the concept of a road is still being worked out I prefer something that goes from 0 to 60 with minimal intervention.
              Volkswagen had to put a W12 engine into their Bugattis and then comes Elon showing them the middle finger. Personally for me electric is the go!

              • Hangryuman on 11/05/2022 - 12:02
                +1

                @payless69: I was working outside Munich when the boss gave me a late-night lift back into town in winter - I was in the back seat

                as he turned onto the icy autobahn, he planted it and the rear slid out sideways as the whole car power-drifted across two lanes of the icy surface

                I nearly shat myself and cried out in fear

                at which point he leaned back with a relaxed smile and said 'this is what these cars are designed for …'

                oh - thank you jeebus …

    • HeWhoKnows on 09/05/2022 - 21:07
      +4

      Mazda 3 is a great car
      You wont be disappointed

    • dogboy on 10/05/2022 - 09:18
      +2

      Mazda 3 > Corolla/Camry

    • supersabroso on 10/05/2022 - 12:08
      +2

      Agreed, but the main thing is to get a hybrid. The way inflation is going, people with petrol cars will be hurting hard 10 years from now. You may also have issues selling fully petrol cars.

    • Shaddolf on 10/05/2022 - 13:59

      Toyota - the car you buy if you see a car purely as a tool to get from A to B. Reliable, holds value.

      But if you actually want to enjoy being in the car, buy almost anything else. Most Toyota's are the most bland vehicles and lack a lot of features you get for similar money elsewhere.

    • bhubb18 on 12/05/2022 - 08:39

      What an ozbargain comment

      An answer that provides no justification lol

  • elgrande on 08/05/2022 - 16:11
    +17

    First step, fix that sagging roof liner in your camry.

    • ayass3 on 08/05/2022 - 16:12
      +6

      It annoyed me a lot so I just ripped it off the roof.

      • Jackson on 09/05/2022 - 21:36
        +2

        There's blokes that will come to you for 200, not a bad price if you are keeping the car. Just the materials will cost you a good 80 or so

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/05/2022 - 16:34
      +7

      This guy OG camrys

    • cashless on 08/05/2022 - 18:21
      +4

      Fixed mine with a staple gun. Without close inspection you’d never know

      • Fobsessive on 09/05/2022 - 15:10

        Does that damage the roof?

        • WhyAmICommenting on 09/05/2022 - 15:50
          +1

          “Without close inspection you’d never know”

          If you’re referring to the roof metal, the staple has no chance of getting through.

          • Fobsessive on 09/05/2022 - 18:16

            @WhyAmICommenting: Just wondering about the risk of scratching the ceiling metal which could maybe lead to rust? Idk, never seen what's beyond a headliner.
            My headliner is sagging :(

            • WhyAmICommenting on 09/05/2022 - 19:13
              +2

              @Fobsessive: Yeah, even if you scratched the inside metal through whatever joins the liner, it’s prob gonna rust from the outside first!

        • cashless on 09/05/2022 - 17:27
          +4

          It’s not straight into metal sheet, there’s an interface between the fabric liner & the roof. It’s a few mm thick, just enough to fire a staple into. I used an upholsterer’s stapler, the type you can buy at Bunnings, not office stapler, although that might work just as well.

      • Zaxxon on 09/05/2022 - 18:31
        +3

        To do this right, you unscrew the light, exposing the hole, and then spray adhesive in the enclosed cloth area, and then vacuum the hole which makes the adhesive stick. That's the theory. Reality may pan out differently.

        • ctg on 10/05/2022 - 14:38

          Oh noo, don’t do this. The failure in a sagging roof liner isn’t the adhesive - the foam has disintegrated. Spraying glue in there won’t fix the issue and instead make it much harder to fix properly.

  • AustriaBargain on 08/05/2022 - 16:17
    +38

    Treat yourself to a new one. You can't take the money with you when you die, but you can take all your new car memories to heaven or hell.

    • The tiger on 09/05/2022 - 09:18
      +14

      Austrabargain, you are damn right. For God sake why not as you said , since obviously OP is currently financially able to do so and ageing. I am 82 , and bought a new Toyota Corolla in 2018 and I love it . Free of stress knowing it is very reliable.

      • Poor Ass on 09/05/2022 - 14:54

        do they still make the Corolla that you can't see the bonnet when driving?

        • Worf on 09/05/2022 - 20:09

          Yep, you could see the bonnet (from drivers seat) in the 2012 model. There’s been two models since then where you can’t see the bonnet (from the driver’s seat). It also feels smaller inside too (when compared to the older corollas, i.e., pre-2013)

          • Poor Ass on 09/05/2022 - 21:01

            @Worf: So after 2012 you can see the bonnet?

            Do you know if current model can see bonnet?

      • Tleyx on 09/05/2022 - 18:40

        Is a ten year old car less reliable than a new car, lots of new cars need warranty work

        • Worf on 09/05/2022 - 20:15

          I guess things start to need replacing, (brakes, spark plugs), flushing/drain refill (brake fluid, transmission, coolant). Things can start to wear out (alternator, starter motor, water pump - but should be ok). Then there’s the gauntlet of big ticket items if they aren’t serviced at regular intervals (CVT, engine).

          Note: I’m not a mechanic So others might be more knowledgeable

          • Tleyx on 09/05/2022 - 23:16

            @Worf: Those are maintenance items except for the stuff that you say should be ok.

            I really don't see maintenance items causing an issue with a car unless you just ignore your service schedule.

            That's why I question if a ten year old car isn't as likely to leave you stranded as new because of new build issues leaving you stranded as well .

        • Jackson on 09/05/2022 - 21:41
          +2

          Neither car will be more reliable than the Camry he has, those things are the most bulletproof cars on the road, and parts are dirt cheap, and they are easy to maintain yourself. Yeah they don't have a soul but if you want reliable transport on a budget that car is still the bomb

  • ozhunter on 08/05/2022 - 16:17
    +4

    Which should I do from a mechanical perspective?

    New Mazda 3. From a financial perspective, then get a used mazda 3.

  • kerfuffle on 08/05/2022 - 16:21

    Echoing the new car sentiment, especially since your Camry is over two decades old.

  • Oofy Doofy on 08/05/2022 - 16:23
    -4

    In this economy? Buy a used 5 year old car.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 09/05/2022 - 15:51
      +4

      That logic checked out pre covid

      • Oofy Doofy on 09/05/2022 - 23:09
        -2

        It still does. I don't know where people are living, and in certain capital cities it is kind of silly, but in other places there are plenty of good cars at a good price and easily negotiated.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 08/05/2022 - 16:23
    +10

    in the current market if you can get a new car and not wait too long for it you're probably getting better value then you would in the used car market

  • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 16:24
    +2

    maintenance is a valid concern with a used car with KMs that high

    if you're keeping it for the next decade, you may as well buy a brand new car.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 08/05/2022 - 16:31
    -2

    Neither. Look for a ~2/3 year old model. Minimal kms and will be far cheaper.

    • jsrz18 on 08/05/2022 - 16:44
      +20

      You pay pretty much the same as a brand new one and someone else has already been driving the car.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2022 - 16:50
      +25

      Look for a ~2/3 year old model. Minimal kms and will be far cheaper.

      are we living on the same planet? minimally used cars are actually selling for more than the current year manufactured models, simply because the minimally used cars are ready to be driven away.

      a lot of people can't wait to get a new car, and the prices reflect this in the used market.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 08/05/2022 - 20:16

        Depends on the car I guess, but it does depend how motivated you are. If you want a ute/4x4 then I'd fully agree with you. Just picked a car 2 years old, but had to be first in to nab it quickly.

        • WhyAmICommenting on 09/05/2022 - 15:52
          +4

          Doesn’t really depend. Unless you are buying junk.

        • FrugalDealHunter on 10/05/2022 - 08:20

          Curious to know what car you bought? Price, Model, year, km, auto/manual & state?

    • ayass3 on 08/05/2022 - 19:39
      +3

      The reason I was specifically comparing a brand new car to a 10 year old one is because I think buying a used car that is a few years old is stupid value for money, from what I'm seeing on Carsales.

      • Euphemistic on 08/05/2022 - 19:54
        +4

        Pre-covid a couple of years old was the go. Right now the people who want a car now and can’t comprehend having a vehicle more than a few years old are buying all the couple of years old vehicles.

        Everyone else recognised that 5yo cars still have plenty of life left and generally don’t cost a fortune to run.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/05/2022 - 16:34
    +3

    Go new, treat yourself.

  • Hithere on 08/05/2022 - 16:38
    +6

    Buy a new car if you can afford it or you may end up buying someone else's problems.

  • plmko on 08/05/2022 - 16:46
    +13

    In this climate, brand new.

  • salmon123 on 08/05/2022 - 16:50
    +4

    buy a cheaper 10 year old Mazda 3 with around 130-150,000kms

    I don't know how realistic getting 300k km from a car is. Also expensive maintenance items like timing belt, head gaskets, etc … you're almost certainly better off with a newer car.

    • Euphemistic on 09/05/2022 - 08:56
      +3

      300,000km is reasonable. It’ll be worn out by then, but if reasonably well maintained most cars (of a brand/model with a reliability reputation) can last this long easily.

    • lgacb08 on 10/05/2022 - 08:29

      I've seen plenty of Japanese car with 300k on the odor, age is not an issue for them. The only expensive item is timing belt but many don't even have it nowadays.

  • brendanm on 08/05/2022 - 16:54
    +2

    130-150k is not high kms.

    • souths123 on 09/05/2022 - 18:36

      hahahahaha…..our two cars don't even have that between them and one is beg 2008, the other mid 2009 ….we MIGHT be getting close to 130k combined soon.

      • brendanm on 09/05/2022 - 19:10
        -1

        I assume your next post will explain the relevance of this to my statement?

        • souths123 on 09/05/2022 - 19:42

          to us that amount of Kms is high for one car?? Thought that was obvious lol

          • brendanm on 09/05/2022 - 19:52
            -4

            @souths123:

            to us that amount of Kms is high for one car??

            Again, this has nothing to do with my statement.

            • souths123 on 09/05/2022 - 20:00

              @brendanm: considering your comment, literally, was
              130-150k is not high kms.
              how is what I said nothing to do with your statement, bro?

              • brendanm on 09/05/2022 - 20:31

                @souths123: You haven't said anything to contradict my statement. All you've said is that your car's have about 60k kms on them each. As I said, not sure what they has to do with my statement.

                • MrFrugalSpend on 09/05/2022 - 22:49

                  @brendanm: The relevant thing is OP plans to put 180,000kms on it…. 330,000kms is high KM.
                  OP should buy the new one if planning to keep so long.

                  • brendanm on 10/05/2022 - 17:20

                    @MrFrugalSpend: 330k, is pretty high, so once they get to that amount, they get a new car, which they plan to do anyway.

      • Euphemistic on 09/05/2022 - 20:00
        +2

        Why have you got two cars if you barely drive them?

        • souths123 on 09/05/2022 - 20:08

          we do drive them?? Just not that many kms a year, esp since covid. There are two of us, one works, the other person is at home, but does all the shopping etc. Maybe when my husband retires we might go down to 1 car, maybe not, will see.

          • AsahiConnect on 21/05/2022 - 13:50

            @souths123: "The average vehicle in Victoria travelled 13,818 kilometres a year " .
            130-150K is actually on par with what you expect for a 10 year old car.

            I'm glad OP is buying new though. Got a 8 year old SP25, 120K on the clock , haven't had any major issues ever. 1 minor issue with computer system which took two days to fix and just standard servicing in between.

    • Oofy Doofy on 09/05/2022 - 23:12

      Over 10 years old and more than 160k kms is my rule of thumb.

      Within those limits you can narrow down your options and negotiate.

    • SF3 on 08/05/2022 - 18:01
      +2

      User #902861 2 posts
      ayass93
      In the penalty box

      Interesting.

      • ayass3 on 08/05/2022 - 19:41
        +9

        I got put into the penalty box 5 years ago on Whirlpool. I made a new account today and got put in the penalty box almost immediately.

        Was surprised that they still remember.

        • kerfuffle on 08/05/2022 - 20:00
          -3

          It's because they track you using your IP address

        • JimmyF on 08/05/2022 - 22:50
          +4

          YIKES You hurt them bad 5 years ago….. Your thread is now deleted!!???

          • Switchblade88 on 08/05/2022 - 23:11
            -1

            @JimmyF: Hearsay is that Whirlpool mods went power crazy.

            Haven't been there, even for technical issues, in years sadly

            • JimmyF on 09/05/2022 - 09:48

              @Switchblade88: Mods are fine, they just don't put up with the crap from users who like to abuse other users or who derail topics. In the OPs case I saw the thread before it was deleted, the two posts by the OP had been fine, wondering if there was a 3rd post that was removed that caused the issue for the OP to end up in the penalty and now thread deleted?

              • Switchblade88 on 09/05/2022 - 10:16

                @JimmyF: Fair enough

                Again, I've not got any recent experience to back up my statement, that was only going off what others had said

                • JimmyF on 09/05/2022 - 10:39

                  @Switchblade88:

                  Again, I've not got any recent experience to back up my statement, that was only going off what others had said

                  We all have had issues with the mods on WP at times, normally for waffling a bit too much off topic. Which can be a pain as sometimes its related to the topic. Kinda like this sub thread is off topic now to the main post but kinda not ;)

                  Normally those that are outspoken the most, have the most trouble as they like to go people. Generally be nice to people and don't attack them directly and you'll be fine which is why I'm surprised the OP ended up in the box on WP and the two posts I seen had been nice.

    • JimmyF on 08/05/2022 - 19:23
      +4

      Have you really asked a question unless you ask it on 5 different platforms?

    • ayass3 on 08/05/2022 - 19:34
      +1

      And they banned me 5 minutes after.

      • JimmyF on 08/05/2022 - 20:34
        +1

        Oh…. What did you say? You're only in the penalty box…. So normally means you had a go at someone

        • ayass3 on 09/05/2022 - 17:07

          Not sure. Got put in the penalty box 5 years ago and made another account this week so looks like they matched the IP address or whatever so got put in the penalty box again.

          • GordonD on 09/05/2022 - 18:42

            @ayass3: Whirlpool's tracking of users is rather more sophisticated than just looking at your IP address.

            • [Deactivated] on 09/05/2022 - 19:29

              @GordonD: Doesn't matter how sophisticated it is. If someone knows what they're doing there's little they can do to stop someone from successfully making a new undetectable account.

  • Euphemistic on 08/05/2022 - 17:26
    +5

    By 10yo.

    Save the difference in $ for later when you want to go battery electric. A 20yo car will be worth very little in 2032. a 10yo car may be worth not much different to a 20yo car due to increwsing cost of fossil fuels and increased use/availability of battery vehicles

    • TooSerious2 on 08/05/2022 - 17:51
      +3

      This matches my thinking. I reckon I'll buy one more ICE to replace the 2007 Mitsubishi, and then I'll be electric from 2030-ish

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