: Get pre-approved by a credit union before visiting the dealership. Do not disclose this until you've finalized the car's price; then, ask the dealer if they can beat your rate.
: Negotiate the car price, then the trade-in value, and finally the financing. Do not let them bundle these into one "monthly payment" number. Is Buying "New" Worth It?
: For reliable brands like Toyota or Honda, the "massive" depreciation hit the second you drive off the lot has significantly decreased.
: Buying new provides a full warranty and "peace of mind," which can be cheaper than the rising maintenance costs of a high-mileage used vehicle.
When buying a new car, Reddit's collective wisdom—found across popular communities like r/carbuying , r/whatcarshouldIbuy , and r/personalfinance —stresses shifting focus away from monthly payments and toward the final, total cost. Core Strategy: Negotiation & Logistics
: If a dealer adds mandatory "market adjustments" or dealer-installed add-ons (like etched glass fees) that you don't want, be prepared to leave immediately.
Recent discussions suggest the old rule of "never buy new" is changing due to high used car prices.
: Look for 0% or low-interest financing incentives, which are often only available for new models and can make the total cost competitive with a used car loan.
