The "2nd Hand" debate

[Crazy Dazz]

I'll start out by saying that over the years, I have mostly bought new, including my Fords. The last 3 cars I bought including two Fords(until this week) were all new (not including those bought for my kids.)

I read this dismissive often in this forum "oh you only buy 2nd hand, you don't count."

I REJECT this argument completely, on two counts.

Firstly, a person who buys a Ford 2nd-hand is not any less of a Ford lover. From now on, if somebody buys a GT, should they be dismissed becuase their car isn't new??? In point of fact I would argue that somebody who has owned a string of 2nd hand Falcons is a BIGGER Ford Lover than somebody who wanders between brands of new cars.

Secondly, economically and logically, the argument is fatally flawed.
Imagine what would happen if it suddenly became illegal to buy 2nd-hand cars. Yes, more people would buy new Gheelys, but since your new car becomes worthless you would have to hang onto it a lot longer. Your ability to so proudly buy a new Ford every year would disappear, unless you literally had more dollars than brain cells. Even taking away such an actual bar, one of the fundamental problems up to now has been that not ENOUGH people want 2nd hand Falcons. The reason that fleet sales have fallen in the toilet is NOT that THEY don't want Falcons or 'large cars," its that nobody else wants them 2nd hand and so the total cost of ownership over two years is too high because after two years and 100kk their cars aren't worth a cracker. So they either buy Toyotas & Mazdas (which seem to almost appreciate in value) or they buy cars that are much cheaper to begin with.
Alternatively, imagine what would happen if the Australian government passed a law giving a flat tax rebate to every owner of an Australian built vehicle. The supply of cruddy old Falcodores would dry up, 2nd-hand values would go through the roof, and we'd be back to the glory days of Ford dealers giving away new Falcons so they could claim them back in 6 months.

Its all about balance. 2nd hand buyers are a vital part of the economy as they support the resale value of new cars which DIRECTLY impacts new car sales.

Of the cars I am currently looking to buy, or have just bought, my reasons for looking 2nd hand are a mixture of Classic Collectible, wanting a project, lack of availability new, and taking advantage of the quirkiness of the 2nd hand market.