for a dependable used car is almost always a better move financially for the reasons you mentioned. And making a car payment for the rest of your life is a bad idea financially. However, a car isn't an investment as you pointed out. It also is something people use in a myriad of different ways for a variety of purposes. That's why applying a strict financial analysis of the purchase is often annoying in a discussion when someone is talking about purchasing a new car.

There are many benefits to a new car which is what the guy specifically asked for. I'm pretty sure your posts make sense to OP too, but he's already considered those points. Do you really think he came away from your first post thinking, "hmmm, I didn't realize that investing my car payment money in a mutual fund would be grow to be worth more than my car value in 3 years! Dang, so you're saying my car would be worth less in 3 years than it is now? Maybe it would be better to just buy a 2000 Camry."