advice for buying my first car?
Posted by DryScientist813@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 33 comments
So long story short, I have 25k cash right now, and I’ve been searching for cars to buy. I know everyone says to buy a used car as your first, but I feel like I haven’t found any good or worth it deals for a used car. At this point, I’m just considering getting a brand new one, and driving it until it stops running. I’ve been interested in a 2026 Corolla hybrid le, and I got an out the door price of 26,400. My brother on the other hand, thinks it’s a waste of money and is strongly against it. What do you guys think I should do? Any advice?
FutureAfternoon1944@reddit
you should definitely check out the Lynk & Co 06. It offers premium Volvo-level safety and high-end tech that outshines a base Corolla, giving you much better value for your cash if you plan to keep it long-term!
Educational-Tone2074@reddit
If you can afford it and it feels like the right solution for your problem then why not?
Used vehicles will always have some problems regardless of make or model. The idea that some of these models are bulletproof from maintenance is a myth.
New vehicle is more reliable and more fun to drive. Its your vehicle and not something you bought into from someone else. Treat yourself. You will have many years in the future to drive boring "used" vehicles.
unpolire@reddit
Terrible advice. “…more reliable and more fun to drive.”!
Educational-Tone2074@reddit
Part of driving is the simple joy of it. The open road softly calls with a fantastic voyage ahead.
Perhaps you drive unappealing vehicles and have no joy in what you do with them. I pity you. Go drive your low dollar shit boxes and leave the real driving to people who appreciate it.
unpolire@reddit
Wrong. I have a large collection of sportscars and sports sedans. New cars are not more “fun” to drive under 500 bhp. Far more technical issues and insulated from driving enjoyment. Stick to boy tuner cars and leave the open and twisty roads for those with the toys.
unpolire@reddit
Buy a Certified Preowned (“CPO”) over a brand new car to get a better warranty and to avoid the massive new vehicle depreciation. Even better, buy a used car over a new car and invest $10-15,000 in the stock market.
ComprehensiveJury562@reddit
Terrible advice
DryScientist813@reddit (OP)
That’s a good idea, but honestly I don’t mind the depreciation. I plan to have the car for life. what I was kind of thinking was : 10k down payment for the car, 10k invested into stocks, and the remaining 5k into a HYSA. Or 15K down payment on the car, 5k into stocks, and 5k into a HYSA.
unpolire@reddit
Your first car being your “lifetime” car, in 2026, may require a rethink. Technology will make your vehicle obsolete in your lifetime. My 1960s and 1970s BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsches are still drivable today with minimal electronic issues.
TheUselessCholera@reddit
That’s fair. I think “long-term” is probably the better mindset than “lifetime.” Still, if I’m buying new, a Corolla hybrid feels like one of the least stupid ways to do it.
unpolire@reddit
Hybrids equal future hybrid battery and charging system issues due to more complexity in the car.
GITSUM55@reddit
Depending on what Porsche you are talking about, it may very likely appreciated.
unpolire@reddit
All of my vehicles, USA, Japan, England, and European Union have appreciated value-wise. The fact that they can still be driven and fueled is remarkable. The only big disadvantage is a lack of ABS braking systems for road safety.
GITSUM55@reddit
I think that if you got into an accident and the car was totaled you would mind the depreciation when the insurance company cuts you a check for another car. I would factor in Murphy’s Law. You never know
traffic626@reddit
It’s not gonna be for life. It’s gonna be for as long as you want or can pay for maintenance/repairs.
Substantial-Set-8981@reddit
Buy a 2000 Toyota Camry, drive it for 5 years while you save more money, buy an investment property in 5 years, sell Camry for the same price you paid for it, buy something you like.
You can thank me later.
carsdotca@reddit
We'd highly recommend you check out our first-time car buying guide, helping you make an informed decision: https://www.cars.ca/en/buyer-resources/first-time-buyers-guide
2ndOpinionAutomotive@reddit
first off, congrats on saving that much! secondly, look at your daily life. what do you need the vehicle for? are you going on long road trips, or keeping it local? are you trying to build wealth? or want a fun reliable car? do you have at least 3 months of emergency funds? what do you want in a car, it really comes down to that. your brother is not necessarily right or wrong. but answering yourself why you need a car and what you would use it for is really going to be the deciding factor. i've been in the auto industry over 15 years and i see way too many people get into something expensive for all the wrong reasons.
ReasonableRevenue218@reddit
A new car typically requires more insurance unless it's paid off in full.
GITSUM55@reddit
The Average New vehicle price in the US is 50k. That is ridiculous and screams to buy CPO. The car drops 20 percent the minute you drive it off the lot. A certified preowned 1-2 years old 15-25k miles with a clean history is what I would do. Invest in a computer to hook up to the vehicle to determine any issues they may not tell you about. That will cost maybe 50 bux on Amazon or bring a car guy with you.
bobqzzi@reddit
Good choice for a car. Always more cost effective to buy a low miles year old car- I'd keep searching. That said if you can get the cast for all of it, buying a new Corolla isn't a terrible idea
therealjohnsmith@reddit
What I like to do to search is get on autotrader or autotempest and set it to nationwide. Even if you don't want to actually buy from Oregon or whatever it gives you a good idea what is available and for how much
traffic626@reddit
Corolla is a good, reliable car. I wouldn’t put all your money into it if you can get a decent loan rate. Older cars are gonna need more maintenance. Are you gonna DIY? Do you have a good shop? Do you need the car every day for work? What’s the convenience factor of a car with less maintenance worth to you?
Unusual-Hornet8470@reddit
I generally only buy new. I hate downtime. Nothing wrong with new Corolla.
Fun-Computer-1168@reddit
Honestly if you just need a car as a transportation device and aren't interested in them as a hobby at all Id just buy a brand new toyota and be done with it.
Gets rid of all the unnecessary stress of buying a used car and you dont have to worry about it for years
TealSapphire@reddit
You can get a wayyy better, in every way, car by buying used than an economy Corolla.
Scared_Caramel3839@reddit
10th or 11th gen (2015-2024) Honda civic sport 6MT.
j-christopher@reddit
If your goal is to minimize auto expenses over the long term, you're on the right track.
I personally would not have been able to stick to this plan as my income increased, but I really enjoy cars and don't look at them as appliances.
I don't know you, but you certainly do. :)
ReasonableSwordfish4@reddit
Buy a $5-8k corolla. Invest the rest. I have a 2013 corolla and it was easily last 10 more year.
DryScientist813@reddit (OP)
where would you recommend to look for one? how much did you pay for yours and how many miles did it have?
ReasonableSwordfish4@reddit
Marketplace. $7k at 120k miles. So many on marketplace in that price range. Parts and maintenance is so cheap for that vehicle. Less tech, less stuff to break.
UCF120@reddit
Buy it new that way you don’t have to worry about whatever the previous owner did (or didn’t) do to the car. You’ll have a warranty and it being a Toyota, it’ll last forever anyway. I personally rather keep my 25k invested and finance the car but I understand a lot of people don’t think that way. If you feel more comfortable paying the car cash instead of making a car payment, more power to you.
Thedogbear2018@reddit
My son bought a 2025 Corolla hybrid AWD and loves it. Not fast but amazing on fuel, lots of options. Build quality is tight