A woman who bought a used Lexus wasn’t just happy about avoiding monthly payments; she was stoked about the car’s features. Maddy (@madisonloraye) happily documented the car’s “buttons” in a viral TikTok that’s garnered over 9 million views. While some folks rejected Maddy’s assertion that her car was “cheap,” others applauded her decision to buy a car from the luxury manufacturer.
In the TikTok, Maddy records herself as she sits inside the car, surrounded by its tan leather interior. She writes in a text overlay, “the cheap car I got not to have a car payment,” which is capped off by a party emoji. Following this, she begins to highlight her Lexus’s features. First up is a cup holder cover, which is activated by pressing down on a wood-trim panel. Furthermore, the center console sports a similar mechanism, with its own dedicated open and close buttons.
Additionally, she shows off yet another cup holder, which is situated left of the driver’s steering wheel. Maddy then demonstrates the holder’s efficacy by placing an iced coffee inside it.
To cap off the video, she keys the car on. As she does so, the steering wheel automatically adjusts itself, returning to the driver’s previous settings.
New Car Payments: A Bad Investment
Throngs of financial experts agree that one of the most blatant depreciating assets people purchase is a new car. Consequently, there are many who caution against folks signing on the dotted line for a new vehicle. GoBankingRates cited several money mavens, including Dave Ramsey, who illustrated just how much value new cars lose in relatively short amounts of time.
On Ramsey’s website, he delineates that brand-new vehicles immediately lose 9% to 11% of their value right after customers sign on the dotted line. In an interview with CNBC, self-made millionaire David Bach called buying a new car “the single worst financial decision” someone can make. Suze Orman also opined on other, invisible costs that are incurred when folks purchase a new car. The thousands of dollars one loses in depreciation could be better invested elsewhere, even if it’s just accruing interest in a high-yield savings account.
The Used Car Rule
Yahoo Finance also covered Dave Ramsey’s five reasons why used car purchases are smarter financial moves. Again, this is largely attributed to the high depreciation costs associated with newer vehicles. A car’s greatest depreciation levels occur in the first three years after it rolls off the assembly line. Moreover, the financial expert adds that some vehicles can depreciate as much as 60% after just five years.
Not to mention, insurance rates on used cars are often less than their newer counterparts, saving drivers even more money. Other money whizzes say that the “sweet spot” for a pre-owned vehicle is usually one that’s 3 to 4 years old. And there are several reasons for this. Oftentimes, many of these cars have only had one previous owner. Furthermore, they will still have some mileage left on their manufacturer’s warranty. This can offer commuters some peace of mind when it comes to covering critical, high-expenditure components.
Additionally, this time period ensures that folks are acquiring a relatively newer car. However, the first person who bought the car is the one who’s bearing the brunt of its depreciation. Which means you’re left with lower monthly payments, especially if you put down a substantial amount of cash. Or, if you can afford it, you can erase interest expenditures altogether by purchasing the car outright.
Lexus: A History of Reliability
Of course, used cars come with a slew of concerns. It’s difficult to know whether or not the car’s been serviced properly, or if whoever purchased it ended up getting a lemon they’re now trying to foist on an unsuspecting victim. Opting for brands with historically high dependability marks, like Lexus, is likely a safer bet than most. Consumer Reports has consistently ranked Lexus in the top two spots in used car reliability for years, along with its non-luxury parent company, Toyota. Although the agency did give the top spot to Subaru in 2025, Lexus and Toyota didn’t trail far behind.
Used Car Purchase Check-List
When perusing the market for a used vehicle, prospective buyers can follow a few rules to help mitigate their worries. First, utilize a service like Carfax to find a car with no accident history. Service records on cars are also included in the vehicle history report, so you can make sure the car’s been properly cared for.
Next, locating a car with a single owner can ensure that the vehicle is one that someone loved enough to drive for several years. If a car’s been passed around like a hot potato, this can indicate it has a problematic history.
Also, buying certified pre-owned vehicles means commuters are getting cars with limited warranties that have been given multi-point inspections. Sure, they’ll be more expensive than a car one buys in a Walmart parking lot, but at least you can be sure the check engine lights won’t be covered with pieces of black electrical tape.
Finally, used car buyers may want to consider shelling out $150-$200 for a pre-purchase inspection before buying. This way, a mechanic can ascertain whether or not there are any glaring problems with the vehicle to consider prior to purchase.
Motor1 has reached out to Maddy via TikTok comment for further information.
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