I am retired now , but owned and ran a used car lot in Phoenix Arizona for over 25 years. As far as the math ,that changes day to day based on many factors. As far as sales tax , most states charge sales tax on both new and used cars sold by dealers. I have many friends still in the biz, both new car and used car dealers. I still keep up with the auctions and prices and trends. I know what dealers are paying at the Manheim as i still get the reports. I am aware that interest rates on a new car purchase are lower than on a used car purchase. Now as to the credit worthiness ,and ability's of the customer to finance or afford the vehicle I do not know and can not comment on. What the customer is able to afford is something the customer knows ,and that is indeed a key issue. All I was saying is The customers best interests are to get the best deal on a vehicle they can afford. A new car warrantee is going to protect the customer for 3 years ,and that is certainly some thing to consider. Imagine having a Car loan and having an expensive repair in the same month . Now as usual cash is king ,and if the customer is a cash buyer ,there are always less stress and less of a gamble in a auto purchase due to being able to bargain from a position of strength. And the fact is a 2023 CX5 is an overall better vehicle than a 2019 cx5 ,and a lot less likely to break down and cost the customer money and inconvenience. The added peace of mind with a new fully warranted vehicle has a value to consider. For most people a cookie cutter transportation vehicle is just a commodity that depreciates . So new or used you loose, but it's how much and how inconvenient that loss it is and what your willing to accept it is. A good deal is a state of mind .

 

Oh...used car salesman, that explains all

 

I will agree with the Chief that the car price is not all that need to be considered. Here in MA, as well as sales tax on new and used cars, we also get hit with personal property tax on our vehicles. In personal property tax alone, the OP would save around $5500 additional by buying a 4-year old vehicle in MA

 

First off i was not just a used car salesman. I was the owner and buyer ,and know what the wholesale and retail value/price of a vehicle is .And was a tech/mechanic for many years. And you should not sarcastically disparage used car sales people, for the most part they are honest hard working people just trying to make a living . In my experience they are head and shoulders more trust worthy than the politicians running this country. Try getting a secondary finance customer bought, in a vehicle they want and can actually afford . The finance company/bank will deeply discount the deal and the salesman and lot won't make very much on the deal. There is a lot more going on , then most people know. Finding and buying a vehicle that will" tote the noet" ( run for the length of the loan ) is not easy. Add to that ,the used car lot and salesman usually only see customers with shaky credit that can not be financed in a new car. Trying to make chicken soup out of chicken sh*t is a tricky biz. So blaming and disparaging the used car salesman or lot is not fair. Where do the used cars come from ? Why do the people trade them in ? Why do some people have bad credit due to not paying loans ? There is plenty of blame for what goes on in the system to go around beyond the dealer and salesman. End of rant. With everyone chasing a dollar ,the dice don't always roll in your favor .

 

I guess you missed my wink emoji.
But now that you've ranted, I'll respond.
And lawyers, Casinos, hedge fund investors are for the most part all honest hard-working people just trying to make a living too
You may have been a perfectly fine car salesperson/used car lot manager.
There are some fine politicians as well, but I'd guess they run about the same percentage as fine used car salespeople.
I've only met two decent car salespeople and 1 motorcycle salesperson in my entire life up to this point.
One gambled away their entire dealership on day trading and the other passed away at 82, heart attack on the sales floor, died at the hospital.
The motorcycle salesperson is still going strong and expanding his business which includes a Mazda dealership.
Oh yeah, I forgot my prepay cremation service salesperson/owner. His $999.99 advertise price which includes everything, was indeed $999.99 end of story. (pun intended).
And as for other decent product salespeople I've met zero...yep...zero. That includes boats, motorcycles, musical instruments, stereo equipment, HVAC, paint, insurance...you get the idea.
Many had no clue about what they were selling and were fixated on selling me what I never asked for.
Which generally the most expensive item they had or needed to move.
Seems to be the general consensus among those people I know, perhaps you and those around you have had better luck with that.
As for bad credit: If a person has bad credit anyone who partakes in giving them more debt is a part of the problem.
I can't tell you how many people who worked for me were sold expensive goods they could not afford, with many of the salesperson/bank/lending institutions all knowing this.
When in reality anyone one of them should've been honest and said, "You can't afford this, that is why your debt is high and your credit rating is bad."
But that rarely if ever happens it's generally "NO CREDIT NO PROBLEM YOU CAN TAKE IT HOME TODAY".
And never, and I mean never, get me started on what furniture salespeople say...

 

Some folks get bad credit, and then turn it around and deserve a second chance. Now furniture is a tricky biz, most of the time women are making the buying decision. In that case The salesman listens to what the customer says and sells them what they want ,case closed. Women know what they want ,and either get it or you loose the sale.

 

Prior to buying the CX-5 though, I looked at a Mitsubishi Outlander with the automatic, rather than CVT transmission. It looked great. No paint issues, clean as a pin and it had EVERYTHING I wanted on a car. Right options, color, everything. I didn't have my check book or I would have left a deposit.

 

While Mitsubishi has some what gotten better, They are still bottom of the Japanese auto manufactures imported to the USA. Mazda is a better built ,better designed, and better over all product. The fit and finish of Mazda vehicles is amazing for the price. Body Panel gaps on Mazda's are some of the best in the industry regardless of price, and Mazda's drive line with the Sky active engine and 6 speed auto are well proven to preform and last. Mazda resale value is also better than Mitsubishi . The only thing better on a Mitsubishi is the 100000 mile warrantee. Mitsubishi is in fact the Renault- Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance .

 

I liked the Mitsubishi as well from the outside, then I got in and drove it.
It was like riding in my grandfather's horse drawn hay wagon with same number of amenities and refinements.
Though I'd give the ride edge to the hay wagon.