Are used cars a good investment?

When you say "investment" it usually means something that will go up in value, or at least be stable.

Used cars tend depreciate in value, so they are not a good investment, however, (they are normally) a better investment than new cars.

If you are on the ball, it is possible to purchase some very good priced used cars and sell them on for a higher price. If you do that, they would have been a good short-term investment.

Pre-owned, one owner type used cars are the best if purchasing from a used auto dealer. If you are not making any where near a six figure income, never buy a brand new car. That is the worst investment, because once any brand new car leaves the lot, it loses thousands $$ in value, as anyone will tell you. But to give you help on buying a use car, refer to a Kelly Blue Book or similar, to get an estimate on a particular used auto for that month and bargain with the dealer for much less than the 'Good'. Never purchase any car at 'Sticker Price'. And most of all, get your own loan approval. NEVER use the dealership's banks. They will rip you off. DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING INTO ANY INVESTMENT SUCH AS HOMES AND "VEHICLES"

That depends on how you define 'Investment'

Most cars are depreciating assets. In this respect they are superior to new cars though. Unless there is a great market for collectors or enthusiasts, a cars value will only go down.
In this case, you need to find a car you know will be in demand like a '63 Corvette or a '69 Charger and restore it and hermetically seal it. Treat it like a mint-condition Babe Ruth rookie card. Don't even look at it because it's value will decrease.

If you're wondering whether they are financially feasible for actual use though, then it depends but I personally have had great luck. I have been through a lot of 'junk' cars, but I have also been able to get my money's worth out of them.
My '87 Corolla cost me $500 and took another $400 in repairs over the two years I had it, mostly wear-and-tear items like shocks. My wife's Saturn cost almost $300/month. I got two years worth of driving for three months worth of her car payments.

People may say I'm nuts for saying that junk cars are good or that it's not worth the hassle, but if you look at it strictly from a dollars-and-cents standpoint I think I got most people beat in the car expenses area.

I think it's important how the used car is like - if its already borned-out, it wouldn't be a very good investment. But sometimes there a really good cars, not used very often and they are good investments at all. You just have to check very well before buying.

They must be. in Clarksville, Tn., home of the 101st Airborne, there at least 60 used car lots. its big business, but you have to use caution not to purchase an autombile from New Orleans or the area effected by the floods of Katrina. these vehicles were flooded with human waste and bacteria and are now on the market for sale to the public. check the vehicle identification number of a proposed vehicle. the vin will give the vehicles past history and will tell which part of the united states the vehicle came from.

Also be wary of "as is" used automobiles. there may be hidden mechanical problems and once you sign on the dotted line, the car is yours, good or bad.

Use a web location to investigate an auto you like or about to purchase. it will cost you $25 and well worth it. consumer report magazine search is one of the very best.

They are a much better investment than new cars,for they depreciate dramatically in the first few years.A used car imported from another country that is harder to find and is unusual will go up in price and will be a good investment.Collectors cars are also good.Common cars 10 to 20 years old are not a good investment.For example I bought a 1989 Nissan S-cargo from Japan and as soon as it reached the port it was worth over double what I paid for it.The attraction of this car is it's unusual shape and I could have sold it 10 times.

Only consider a Honda or Toyota. most everything else is junk.

As a general rule, used cars are not a good investment. Cars wear out and eventually stop working. This is why most cars lose value as they get older. The only exception to this are the classic automobiles. Once a car becomes so old that there are not many of them left on the road does its value potentially start to go up. However, even then, the car has to have been pampered by its owner. This pampering usually includes not driving it much as that would cause wear on the car. Most classic automobiles are kept in storage some place where they are protected from the elements and only brought out for special occasions. So, used cars are not generally good investments unless the car is 1) very well maintained and 2) kept long enough to obtain classic status.

Well it depends on where you buy the car,If you buy it off the side of the road it is usually not a very good car,but if you buy it from a good dealer that also sales new cars it will most likely be a good investment.Avoid dealers that have a junk yard or just a few cars. When looking for a good used car do not buy a car that is over 6 years old. Also do not buy a car with over 60,000 miles on it because it might be about to burn up.also do not buy a car with parts missing (i.e Radio Door handles Glovebox or anything exposing wires.) When you have picked out your car take it for a LONG test drive and make sure ALL the features work! Test ALL seatbelts and Lights and you have got your dream car!

Most wealthy people are actually used car buyers. It's not common knowledge and most people actually think the other way.

This should help you out:

- http://www.stat-aholics.com/auto/used-car-buyers/used-car-buyers-demographics-statistics.aspx
- http://www.stat-aholics.com/income/millionaire-facts/ten-millionaire-facts-stats.aspx

They are the best investment. I used to sell cars, and found that a 1 or 2 year old car tends to be the best value. It has already had the maximum depreciation when it drives off the lot (up to 30%). Find one with low mileage, get an inspection done from and independant mechanic and negotiate hard and you should be ok.

"Investment" by definition means it will generate income for you. Cars depreciate. It's funny how salespeople will try to sell you anything expensive by saying "this is a good investment."

I wouldn't looks at cars as an investment, unless you're talking about clasic and vintage cars.

Now, if your speaking of new versus used, used is definately the way to go. If for no other reason, the depreciation all new cars go though the minute they're driven off the lot.