Do you make over 70K? Do you live in tax free state? Go for Brand New. Because you never know how the car was handled by the previous owner ( most of the time  we new buyer will go with the looks). We need a car that is mechanically sound and that goal is achieved by buying a new car and rests on your handling.

You can not judge all old car are not mechanically sound, but it's not 100 % sure. I know one gentleman pushing his 1994 accord to 300000 miles (he got 251000 now). But he knows little bit about maintenance and has time to take to the person who works off the street and fix cheap. If you have less knowledge about car, may end of paying more than it should be because used car dealer and mechanics are compared as BUTCHER. 

Newer car, teenage driver will pay more insurance( better to with geico). Now the economy is down and used car values are soaring too. In 2004 seen 1997 Camry sold for 3000 and around, now 1995-97 are asking more than 3000.

Did I confuse you???