Legally, what is a "new" car?

Does the word "new" simply mean "never been titled"?

I have my eye on a Mazda CX-5. A certain dealer is offering a "new" 2014 model for $19,999. Based on the VIN, the car is between 15-18 months old. That's hardly new, especially when it's been baking on a lot in the Southwest sun for a year and a half. Tires rot in the sun, as does anything else made of rubber. Paint bakes, etc., etc.

So my question is... is ANY car that has never been titled legally "new"? Hypothetically speaking, could this dealer be stuck with this CUV for 5 more years and still sell it as a "new car"?

To a point eventually the head office will have them sell the car to the used lot at a loss to get the warranty start date activated.

There were 2004-6 SRT-10 Rams on the lots until late 2008 that I was looking at that were right on the edge of this. Same with SSR's and Prowlers with dealerships with huge markups that they refused to pull.

My understanding is that, yes, "new" means a car has never been sold to an end-user, and has thus never been titled.

there is a 1987 Buick GNX sitting in a dealer showroom somewhere that has never been titled so it is still technically "new"..

i almost bought a "new" 2003 Mercury Marauder in the spring of 2004 that was built in late 2002.. could have had it for $15k...

Ditto here on the never been titled rule

Yup... new means never titled post-manufacturing. There may be some states that have a limit on years, but I know PA and CA do not. Never checked when I was in TX.

So, theoretically, you could have a 1961 Plymouth that never sold and it would be considered new.

Hmmm. Some of the cars at the Lambrecht auction last year were never sold by the dealer, they just sat. Could they be 'new'? Would GM be required to honor the warranty?

In fact, Carroll Shelby, "found" several Cobras decades later and sold them as new.

foxtrapper wrote: In fact, Carroll Shelby, "found" several Cobras decades later and sold them as new.

i believe he "found" several VIN tags and a few chassis that were never used..