I Asked ChatGPT If I Should Buy a New or Used Car in 2026 -- Then Auto Experts Pointed Out What It Missed
A common question when car shopping is whether to buy new or used. According to ChatGPT, a used car that's three to five years old is the better choice in 2026. But what do experts have to say about this?
MoneyLion asked the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot whether it's better to buy new or used in 2026. After showing auto experts what it said, here's what they agreed with and what they said it got wrong.
Be Aware: 6 Cars You Should Avoid Buying Used
Find Out: 9 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money — That You Should Do, Too
ChatGPT: Buying New vs. Used in 2026
The average new car price was $49,275 in March 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book. While that's more expensive than most used cars, ChatGPT said it may be a better option if you want reliability, qualify for low financing, want to keep the car long term, and want the latest tech and safety features.
ChatGPT pointed out that used cars offer the best financial value compared with new cars. According to CarEdge, used car prices are about $26,000 -- nearly 50% lower than the average new car price.
The AI also recommended buying a used car in 2026 if you want a lower monthly payment and you're OK with a little risk in terms of possible repairs, unknown history and a shorter warranty. ChatGPT noted that the "sweet spot" is a used car that's three to five years old, which combines modern features with big savings.
What It Missed
Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.com, generally agreed with ChatGPT. However, it did miss a few key points.
For instance, there's no guarantee that a new car will have better safety features.
"If you're talking about a used specific make and model and a new one of the same specific make and model, that may be true if there has been an update to the safety system, but it's not a general rule that newer cars are safer," Musson said.
And used cars can still be reliable.
"It's true that, financially, a used car is less expensive and still provides years of reliable service," Musson explained. "Depreciation has the most significant impact in the first few years of ownership, so if you can let someone else absorb the impact of that rapid depreciation, you'll pay less and have less to lose for a vehicle."
But if you're looking at a new vehicle that maintains its value better than average and the dealer is offering 0% annual percentage rate financing, new could be the better option, Musson said.
Randy Barone, vice president at ACV Auctions, both agreed and disagreed with ChatGPT.
According to Barone, we're still experiencing a shortage of used cars, which pushes their value up. At the same time, dealerships have higher levels of new vehicle inventory and offer strong incentives.
"In many cases, this creates an opportunity where purchasing a new vehicle may be more advantageous than buying used -- especially since your trade-in is likely worth more in today's market," Barone explained.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion:
