Buy A New Car Or Not May 2026

Consider a 3 to 5-year-old used car . You avoid the initial 20–40% depreciation hit while still getting modern tech and remaining warranty. 📊 Repair vs. Replace: The "Rules of Thumb"

The annual repair costs are under $3,000 and it has a reliable history (e.g., Toyota, Honda). buy a new car or not

Your current car’s repairs exceed 50% of its market value or if critical safety features (like AEB) are missing. Consider a 3 to 5-year-old used car

: If annual maintenance and non-routine repairs average over $3,000, they likely outweigh the depreciation hit of a newer vehicle. buy a new car or not