If you need one I’d consider a bolt or leaf— probably around $20k new.

Just bought a third car for us, a new Toyota Corolla Hatchback. Got it at MSRP. Used car prices are crazy. For something with safety features, new was the best value.

Only in America do teens "need" cars of their own. Used or not, newsflash - they actually don't. You can just survive driving them another 2 years until they go to college. They can get their license and practice with YOUR car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you buy a new car for a kid vs a used one?

This. I understand the market is crazy for both used and new cars, but does it have to be a new SUV?

Not OP, but we just bought a new Civic. We never buy new cars...but we didn't feel it made sense to pay like ...$22k for a three year old Civic with 40k miles on it when a new one could be had for just a few thousand more.

I’ve had several friends end up buying their kids new cars after looking at the cost of used. DS gets his license later this year. Unless the market changes, we’ll probably go with new over used given the cost difference these days. I never thought I’d be thinking that.

If you're stupid enough to buy your child a new car, then you're stupid enough to pay well over MSRP in a crazy market.

Or, you wait and drive your old cars, just like the rest of the nation. Ours are 17 and 12 years old. My teen drives one of them.

How much out the door was the Civic and where did you buy it? Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you buy a new car for a kid vs a used one?

This. I understand the market is crazy for both used and new cars, but does it have to be a new SUV?

Not OP, but we just bought a new Civic. We never buy new cars...but we didn't feel it made sense to pay like ...$22k for a three year old Civic with 40k miles on it when a new one could be had for just a few thousand more.

Anonymous wrote:Why would you buy a new car for a kid vs a used one?

This. I understand the market is crazy for both used and new cars, but does it have to be a new SUV?

Why would you buy a new car for a kid vs a used one?

You have to pay over MSRP, order the car because there are none on the lot, and wait a few months for it to arrive.

If you are somewhat flexible on what you want (and brand of car) you can wander the lot of a dealership - generally speaking if there are cars on the lot they are available. But then again, if they're available it's because they are not really popular. Otherwise as has been said, you are basically going to have to put a deposit down to get on a waiting list for anywhere from 90 days to six months or more to see a new car. Good luck. It's tough out there (for everyone!)

I spent a few months calling around and even looked at different makes and models and no one is charging under MSRP. You will be lucky just to get MSRP.

It's bad. We were planning to trade in the minivan for something more fun for my husband now that the kids are teenagers, and things are going for well over MSRP and the used market is just as insane. We're holding off.

Be prepared to put down a deposit and wait for something approximating the spec you might want. Toyota dealers can get their allocation information twice a month. There’s probably already a waiting list.

See if the dealer will negotiate and sign a contract at the time of deposit — most won’t — so they don’t put you over a barrel when the car comes in and they hit you with a market adjustment markup and a bunch of port or dealer installed options.

I need to get a Rav4 or something small like that for my kid. I used to email different dealers and let them offer their best deals but, given chip shortage, I understand this strategy may not work. Do I have no other choice but to pay MSRP (or more) for a new car now?? I have never paid any where close to MSRP and even thinking about it is painful. Thoughts?