Should I buy a new car in January?

What kind of car do you have?

Hyundai Accent. The replacement will likely be something similar.

R2 Do you live in a big city. How often do you drive. I would replace a 20 yr old Hyundai.

yes, inner suburb. I work from home, so not many miles each month.

One other thing I should mention: I have some mutual fund shares that I could sell now that would pay for a big part of it. The stock market may be headed down soon.

OP: have you checked out the prices of new vehicles lately? It's absolutely insane what they're charging for new vehicles.

Just an FYI: Hyundai killed off the Accent a couple of years ago. Kia has just killed off the mechanically similar to the Accent Kia Rio. The only comparable vehicle is the Mitsubishi Mirage. It's cheap but that's about the only thing it has going for it. I recently had one for a rental and if you don't mind driving around in a tin can, go for it.

I have a 2008 Saturn Aura with 113K miles on it. In October, I had some body work done to fix a rust spot that developed from where an errant shopping cart dented the sheet metal. Then I spent $250.00 to have the inside and outside detailed. Bought new after-market floor mats, bought new-after market wheel covers, and fixed the driver's side outside rear view mirror which had been cracked by some kids playing ball near where my car was parked. The car now looks great (the interior is "factory fresh" as they say) and drives fine. The car has A/C, AM-FM radio w/CD player, power steering, breaks, outside mirrors, drivers seat, windows and doors. The only modern/tech convenience I don't have is a back up camera.

At today's prices, I'm going to keep this car running for as long as I can. I'm 72 and retired, put about 7-8K miles a years on the car, and do not want a monthly car payment ever again.

I'd keep it. I think the stock market will be fine.

I just bought a 2025 Honda Civic, which is still called a compact car even though it’s gargantuan compared to my old one.

OP and everyone, buy expensive stuff NOW before that loon Trump puts tariffs of everything.

OP- A Toyota Corolla sounds like a good choice for you.

A 20 year old car is getting up there - if it were a Toyota I'd keep it. Otherwise, maybe a car a few years old (for newer tech, etc.) since you don't drive much. I've got a 13 year old Toyota Venza w/66K miles and it's in outstanding shape mechanically & quite presentable. I bought a new 2023 Honda Ridgeline (mid-size truck) about 10 months ago to supplement the car when the weather gets bad. Being retired I don't drive much either so you must decide if the expense (purchase, insurance, taxes, maintenance, etc) is worth having a new/er vehicle. Depending on your vehicular needs a Honda CR-V or Civic (mentioned above) may be good choices. The Toyota Corolla (also mentioned above) is a good choice too.

Who the fuck cares?!

My Honda accord ran great for 22 years, then started having problems. Oil leak, sensor failures, steering rack issues, fuel line gunked up, etc. I wouldn't wait, a 20 year old car needs to be replaced.

If you want an import, between r12's advice and potential tariffs, I'd buy now.

As another poster said, if it was a Toyota I'd keep it. Not a Hyundai.

My boring old Camry is quite old and runs like a dream.

Even American and American made cars use parts from overseas (semiconductors, anyone?), so the Trump tariffs will get you anyway.