Warranty's definitely a big factor, but honestly, I've had mixed luck even with good coverage. Had a fridge once—brand new, solid brand—and when it broke down, warranty covered parts but not labor. Ended up costing me almost as much as buying used would've. Now I usually go for gently-used appliances from sellers I trust, ideally with some warranty left. Saves cash upfront and reduces the sting if something goes wrong...which it inevitably does at some point, right?
Interesting perspective, and I definitely see the appeal of going gently-used. Still, as someone who's just bought their first home and is still learning the ropes, I find myself leaning more toward buying new appliances, at least for now. My reasoning isn't just about warranty coverage—though that's certainly part of it—but also about peace of mind.
When I moved in, a friend offered me their used washer and dryer set. They were only a few years old and seemed to be in decent shape. But within a couple months, the dryer started acting up, and I had no warranty or coverage at all. The repair cost wasn't outrageous, but it was still an unexpected expense that caught me off guard. After that experience, I decided to invest in a new dishwasher instead of hunting for another used deal. Yes, it was pricier upfront, but knowing exactly how it's been maintained from day one—and having a full manufacturer's warranty—gave me some reassurance.
I completely agree warranties aren't foolproof (your fridge story is proof enough), but I've found that some brands or stores offer extended or comprehensive coverage that includes labor too. Sure, it's an extra cost initially, but it can save headaches down the road. Plus, buying new sometimes comes with perks like free delivery or installation, which can offset some of the initial sticker shock.
That said, I'm not ruling out used appliances entirely—especially if they're from trusted sources or lightly used—but for major items that get heavy daily use (like fridges or washers), I'd rather pay a bit more upfront to minimize surprises later. Maybe once I'm more experienced with homeownership and repairs, I'll feel differently...but for now, new feels safer to me.
I totally get where you're coming from with the peace-of-mind factor. When we refinanced our home last year, we had a bit of extra cash and debated this exact thing—new vs. used appliances. Initially, I was all about saving money and hunting down gently-used deals. But then my partner reminded me of the time we bought a secondhand fridge off Craigslist... seemed like a steal at first, but within weeks it started making weird noises and eventually stopped cooling altogether. We ended up spending almost as much on repairs as we would have just buying new in the first place.
After that experience, I leaned more toward your approach—especially for appliances that see heavy daily use or are critical to everyday life (like fridges or washers). The warranty coverage definitely helps ease anxiety, even if it's not foolproof. And honestly, knowing exactly how something's been treated from day one is pretty reassuring.
That said, I've still snagged some great used deals on smaller items or things that aren't as crucial—like a chest freezer for the garage or a microwave for the basement kitchenette. Those feel less risky somehow, maybe because they're simpler machines or don't get constant use?
Anyway, I think your reasoning makes total sense given your situation. Homeownership has enough surprises already without adding appliance drama into the mix... trust me on that one! Maybe down the road you'll feel more comfortable taking chances on used stuff again—but there's nothing wrong with prioritizing reliability right now while you're still settling in and figuring things out.
I agree with your reasoning overall, though I'd add that brand reputation matters too. I've had new appliances fail prematurely, warranty or not... sometimes a well-maintained used appliance from a reliable brand can actually outlast cheaper new models. Just something else to consider.
"sometimes a well-maintained used appliance from a reliable brand can actually outlast cheaper new models."
Totally agree with this. When we moved into our current place, the previous owners left behind an older washer and dryer set—nothing fancy, but solid brands. Thought we'd replace them soon enough, but here we are five years later and they're still going strong. Makes me wonder though, is there a particular appliance you'd always prefer to buy new regardless of brand? For me, it's probably refrigerators... something about trusting my food storage to someone else's maintenance habits just doesn't sit right, haha.
