Is it better to buy a new or used car?

It depends on your budget and priorities. New cars offer the latest features, full warranty coverage and known history, but they lose value fastest in the first few years. Used cars cost less and have already taken that depreciation hit, but may need more maintenance and come with less warranty. If you plan to keep a car a long time and want peace of mind, new can make sense; for the best value, a lightly used car is often a strong option.