I reran the numbers on Buying a new car is a poor financial decision assuming 250,000 usable miles. The numbers more dramatically favor used cars:
| Year | Current Miles | Value (NADA) | Depreciation from new | Percent of miles “used up” | Relative cost per mile of remaining miles
(250000 – current miles) |
| 2004 | 0 (still on dealer’s lot) | $23,850 | 0% | 0% | 43% higher than 2000 |
| 2003 | 15000 | $20,300 | 15% | 6% | 30% higher than 2000 |
| 2002 | 30000 | $16,925 | 29% | 12% | 15% higher than 2000 |
| 2001 | 45000 | $14,875 | 38% | 18% | 9% higher than 2000 |
| 2000 | 60000 | $12,650 | 47% | 24% | baseline |