https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:54:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638565 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:39:46 +0000 lioneyes 2638565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about the Warranty? You might not get one on a used car, but could on a new car, which could save money if it ever needed work. In that same vein, what other options would you get with a new car- perhaps a loaner/covered rental from the dealership when yours is in the shop? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638525 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:56:14 +0000 gingerbebe 2638525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Sounds like you got an amazing deal! I'm sure we could have done some haggling on the pricing for a new vehicle and brought it down closer to $40K, but another thing DH and I hate is car buying. Like, its probably the thing we absolutely hate the most and why we usually buy used/cash and drive our cars forever. When we bought our Sienna, we went in on a weeknight right before Thanksgiving, an hour before closing, and said this is what we're putting down, we want you to give us X amount for our trade-in, reduce the price of the van by $500, and we have a deal. I waited 15 minutes for them to accept my trade-in demand (it was our only sticking point), we relented on the $500, and I cut a check. We walked out of there in 1 hour, including the test drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638507 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:43:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2638507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: wow I didn't realize the toyotas were so much more expensive. We had about the same scenario (just wanted power and leather no DVD). But the difference in new versus used was only $10k. I got mine brand new 2015 for $35 out the door (what we paid not any trade in or down payment). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638501 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:38:54 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2638501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started out looking for new. However we quickly found that minivans hold their value so much but (esp for something certified). We were able to get something brand new what we wanted for about $10k more. We didn't have 50k of someone else's wear and tear on the van. DH said people use vans a lot (kids are hard) and so even 40-50k miles there is a lot of wear and tear on a vehicle.</p> <p>Also like said above we got 1% financing and we will pay it off well before we are done using the van. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638496 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:35:12 +0000 looch 2638496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are the financing options, could you purchase the new van with 0% interest? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638470 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:14:38 +0000 codeitall 2638470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also buy used, but I've been looking at Siennas too recently and am having the same dilemma. Siennas in particular hold their value really well and while there is depreciation, it isn't drastic.</p> <p>Like @Mamaof2 said, definitely check the trim levels and differences in features. A lot of people tote the warranty as being a great value-saver, but with Toyotas, the warranty just isn't needed as often.</p> <p>Personally, I'd go for the cheaper one you can buy in cash. Since they hold their value well, you can upgrade to a nicer model with more features a few years down the road and you don't have to pay interest! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638456 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:04:44 +0000 gingerbebe 2638456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We bought a certified used 2012 Sienna XLE in 2015 with 38,000 miles on it for $26K-ish. We love it and definitely felt it was a way better value.</p> <p>We generally always buy 2 years used and pay cash whenever possible. This was technically 3 years used, but the mileage was so low, we went with it.</p> <p>I hear you on wanting the car to last safely for as long into your kid's childhood as possible (I want this to be like the only minivan I own, ideally). But for us, it was the actual options on the vehicle that made a big impact on our decision. When we priced out a new Sienna with all the stuff we really wanted (power sliding doors, power liftgate, captain's chairs, and leather, for instance), a new Sienna was going to run us about $45K. But we just couldn't justify that kind of cost for a car that was going to get completely thrashed by our kids. I don't care about GPS and DVD players, but with a toddler and a baby, I needed those power doors and the ability to keep the car cleaner with the leather. </p> <p>We found Siennas with similar or less miles on it for something in the $20-22K range, but again, with those manual doors and cloth seats that were going to get disgusting, I just couldn't do it. We had to travel 60 miles away to get our XLE, but we are absolutely thrilled with it. The mileage is actually not that bad, the car runs like a dream, and the power options were definitely worth it. My husband thought I was being nuts, but within a few days he was like OMG THIS WAS SO WORTH IT. </p> <p>So basically, we got a 3-year used vehicle and saved ourselves around $20,000. Totally worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638450 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:57:47 +0000 mekarual 2638450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got our 2011 Sienna used back in 2012. A good friend of ours worked for Toyota at the time and it was used as a company car so it was fully loaded and had very low mileage. It was a great deal and it runs great.</p> <p>I think buying used is almost always a better deal - especially if you can get a certified pre-owned vehicle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638445 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:51:59 +0000 pinkb 2638445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought used. We got a 2016 Quest with 16k miles for 20k. It took quite a bit of searching. We wanted new but couldn't justify the price of brand new ( started at 29k) and the dealerships with all their fees and just the way they work make me ragey. With the one we bought we still have the warranty for a couple years and it was much cheaper than the brand new option and so the better value to us. </p> <p>I found that the dealers were listing theirs at x price but then once I went in they revealed that I didn't qualify for all the discounts to make it that price. So just make sure you get all he correct info to make the best decision. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638443 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:47:39 +0000 yoursilverlining 2638443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I prefer to buy used, and with Toyota and Lexus (affiliated companies) I prefer specifically to buy their certified pre-owned. All the benefits of an almost new car with an awesome extended warranty; none of the immediate loss of value of buying new. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638442 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:45:53 +0000 birdofafeather 2638442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: yeah, I would look at the options, etc to see if they're really comparable. </p> <p>We bought a used outback for a few thousand less but it was the same model year as new and had all the bells and whistles we wanted with only 7K miles on it (it was used as a rental). For the outbacks, buying used didn't make a whole lot of sense otherwise because they keep their value so the savings was minimal especially comparing new features. Also, I've realized that if you AREN'T paying cash, new can sometimes be the way to go because you can sometimes get a better rate financing new depending on your credit.</p> <p>ETA: my preference is used as well because cars aren't an investment and value goes does quickly typically! But I look at the numbers and determine value in picking out features as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638386 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 11:00:12 +0000 808love 2638386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I take the total miles expected to be driven divided by 12000 (average miles driven per year) to get the number of years it is going to last. Then take the cost of car divided by the number of years to see how much the annual cost will be. Consider a cost difference of higher car insurance rate for full coverage vs. coverage adjusted to a used value car and only what you deem necessary. Ok now get out your calculator and ask DH what he thinks! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638375 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 10:54:05 +0000 Mamaof2 2638375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always buy used </p> <p>Does your DH know if its the same model? The used car could be loaded while the new one is the stock model - I cant believe a new one of the same model would only be 6K more </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/used-or-new-minivan#post-2638369 Tue, 18 Oct 2016 10:51:17 +0000 jedeve 2638369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you buy a new or used minivan? (I know some people here don't buy used anything on principle, but that's not what I'm asking. Just what is a better value). </p> <p>We want a Toyota Sienna. The best used deals I can find is a 2014 for 23k with 40-50k miles. </p> <p>My husband says he saw new 2016 at a dealer near his folks' house this weekend for 29k. His argument is that if you are only going to put 150-200k miles on a minivan you've already used up a third to a quarter of its life. </p> <p>My argument is that because we can't afford to pay for the car in cash (though could pay it off in full in a year or two) that the cheaper is the better option. </p> <p>ETA: the environmental impact is a consideration for me as well. I just prefer used. </p> <p>So what do you think is the best value? </p>