having been selling for a bit now, I think blu is on the right path. there is a little bit more scrutiny and prep and fix on a lot of the certified vehicles to start with...although generally the vehicles that get certified are better to start with.
the main point blu hits nail on the head is used vehicles are roulette, its chance whether you get a good one or not.
at least if they have few miles the chance is greater that its an ok vehicle.
paying more for new is the best piece of mind. but lightly used is not bad either.
i think the rentals these days although they may be beat on by drivers a bit, at least i think their oil gets changed. lots of people who buy and lease a vehicle don't even change oil these days.
personally myself i have either bought new or used 15k or less miles ever since i bought a 7 year old SHO and sunk some dough into it. and not that the SHO was ever considered a good vehicle as far as reliability.....i should have expected to invest more in a 7 year old vehicle after the purchase than i did.
that's why i may lease again someday if the deal is right. it would have to be a cheap lease....but i certainly like the idea of new.
my dad has done well on used cadillacs, but he scopes them out pretty hard....he also is never in a position of needing to buy at any given time. he is not like a lot of customers that back themselves into a corner with vehicles and due to their situations, end up buying for reasons other than want or due diligence.
i cringe when i see people buying cars with 120, 130k and having to finance big amounts / long terms for them. recipe for disaster.