Originally posted by 98 SE:
Not always. I bought my '95 Probe GT used (obviously  ) and it turned out to be a POS generally due to the previous owner's lack of maintenance. My '98 Contour SE was bought used in 2001 and seems to have a new problem crop up each month (all of them expensive to repair, of course).
Regardless whether I buy new, used, or lease ... my next car will have a warranty. And (given how long it lasts) I'll probably give up the car just before it expires. I have no plans to mod a vehicle so no worries about that (heck, my Contour is almost stock after 4+ years).
And lucky you for living in Georgia.  My Contour is $110/month for basic insurance, not even comprehensive, in Massachusetts. And I have a clean record, not even a parking ticket.
$3k used car with major troubles cost at most $3k to fix (the cost of another $3k used car). Still much less than a $14k+ new car, or the lease payments on said car.
Obviously buying a ragged out car is not cost effective.
Warranties add to the cost of a car. Yes, a good idea if you don't know what you're buying or how to do repairs. I do some warranty work on a dealership's used vehicles here, so also helps my income.
You may want to check with other insurance companies. Yes, I'm sure georgia has cheaper insurance, but I could be paying $110 as well, through a different company and without multi-car discounts and other discounts.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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