>>28498883this is a HUGE thing, actually
back in the '00s, there were REALLY good reasons to go with a new car, even a cheap one, instead of an equal price older car.
you got a car that was faster, quieter, more economical, more comfortable, and safer.
this is not the case anymore. a 2025 vehicle is not that much better than the same model from '05. sure, its probably a bit larger and a bit faster, but its not like the older model will have trouble keeping up with traffic, or won't have airbags, or lack A/C or ABS or anything showstopping like that.
and this is likely why we don't really get anything sub 30k anymore. the amount of used options below that range is absurdly large and there's no good reason to not consider them.