Lots of reasons to buy new and used.
My wife and I recently bought our youngest son a car. He wanted something cheap for around $2500-$3000. We decided to get him a new subcompact car for lots of reasons.
1. Cost to repair is higher on a used car versus a new car with a warranty. My son needs financial help if the car breaks down, so who knows what a used car would have cost over the next 3-5 yrs in repairs.
2. The new car has 7 airbags including a knee bag.
3. The new car gets 35 mpg average with 40+ mpg on the highway.
4. The new car model is just one step above baseline but has a ton of features - alarm, electric locks, Bluetooth, backup camera .. on and on.
5. The new car (2017) was under $14k out the door.
6. Makes us feel better that he has a new more reliable car (for now).
As was said by many, we do this because we can and we want to do it.