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	Newly Used (less than 2 years old)
	Average Used (2 to 5 years old)
	Old but low miles (More than 5 years old, less than 75,000 mi)
	Junker - Clunker - transportation nothing more

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I checked "newly used" but that is only because two of the last 4 cars I bought were in that category. The other two were new. I keep cars at least 10 years, so I had always thought it paid to go for a new car. However, more recently I have had very good luck with "previously owned" (great euphemism, isn't it??) cars with very low mileage (9K - 13K) still under warranty. That amount of mileage doesn't seem to diminish the 10 year life expectancy and I get the car for a few bucks less than I would have to pay for new with most of the feel of new.

jtmitch

My last three cars have been new. I typically keep an automobile 7 or 8 years.

I should be due for a new car in about 3 years. I'll probably buy a "newly used" model this time. I'm considering something like a 2 year old Infiniti or Lexus.

intercst

My first three cars were old cars that people gave me for various reasons.

When I was 34 I bought my first "new" car. It was an economy car, the next was a regular car, and the last was a luxury car. (My DH bought that--took me a while to get over being embarassed!)

We bought each of them for cash. The economy and regular car dealers kept insisting that we had to fill out a credit application. The luxury car dealer just asked, "How would you like to pay for this?" (So we put it on a credit card! Which we of course paid in full when the bill came.)

Vickifool -- who just noticed that her cars are in an upward trend.

I'm hoping my next new 'ride' can be a bicycle! With a great car-share business in town, it might be possible.

I advocate buying "older cars" (5+ years) with moderate to high mileage. My current vehicle is a 1990 Acura Integra with 166,000 miles. I paid $3000 for it last year at 147,000 miles with new tires and paint. I expect to run the vehicle to over 250,000.

I good case can be made for the under $1,500 car being the most economical. Both of my cars in high school and college (15 years ago) cost under $700. I drove both well over 200,000 miles with little trouble.

With any car I do a good mechanical inspection including a compression check on the engine. I also do all of the maintainance and most of the repair. (I only take cars to a mechanic for tire replacement or muffler work.)

I also start looking for my next car about 6 months before I need it. I put the word out among friends. My Acura came to me through my brother when a third child was added to the family.

cheers,
terrynor

When we replace a car, we buy new, but that isn't very often at all. Our cars are currently 6 and 13 years old, and I don't expect to get a new one for at least two more years. I don't have to wonder whether I'm buying a smarter person's problem or a newly used product of someone who wanted that new car smell. Instead, I get a new car in perfect condition, although perhaps only after the dealer corrects some factory errors, and so far I haven't owned a lemon that couldn't be fixed completely in one or two tries.