If you're buying a used car, you're more likely buying an older used car. If you're doing it tough, then your car is more likely to be repossessed. In new car land, the Ford Ranger remains Australia's top-selling vehicle, the Toyota HiLux is first of the losers followed by the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Tesla Model Y.

We're broadcasting to you live from the WAMIBus at Global HQ with our special guest today, Tanim Ahmed, the head of business intelligence at Pickles' data business Datium. Tanim has been tracking used car prices since before Covid. "Prices were increasing before Covid, peaked in 2022 and have been on a downward trend since. The second quarter of 2024 set another new record for vehicle sales volume in the post-Covid era."

Much more interesting are the cars that are keeping high residual values. The minute you sign the papers and own your shiny new car, you have dropped 15 per cent of what you paid. Looking at Tanim's blog (datiuminsights.com.au) is a great start. Today, Toyota dominates the top five spots with Landcruiser, RAV4 and the Camry on the podium.

Of course, the other thing to consider is how much your car will cost to service. Remember printers? New cars are like printers. The cars are only a platform to sell you high-priced service and parts. The highest-paid person in a new car dealership is the exec responsible for parts and service. And please, please don't go to your dealer for tyres.

And don't forget what our mentor, Don Trump, says about EVs: "The cars don't go far enough. They're very, very expensive. They're also heavy."

Talking of used cars, RM Sotheby's is holding a new sale in Germany at the Concours of Elegance Germany, at Gut Kaltenbrunn on Lake Tegernsee in the Bavarian Alps, next weekend. Naturally the theme is German cars like the 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder by Wendler, one of just 90 built with European racing history. Yours for only $5m. For a little less, one of just 20 examples of the Chiron Sport 110 Ans Bugatti and for about $2m the most beautiful Porker, a 2019 935.

This week's questions: Is Mercedes' new front wing the key to their success? Can McLaren ever stop making mistakes like crook pit stop and bad tyre decisions? Can Ferrari come back? Who will fill the vacant seats at Mercedes, Red Bull, Haas, Alpine, Sauber and Williams? Where will Sainz, Ricciardo, Ocon, Bottas, Zhou and Logan go? Will Audi buy Sauber? (Yes)

jc@jcp.com.au