[ttimbo]

Good points....but, as you point out, the biggest cost of ownership is depreciation, much of which happens the moment you drive away from the dealer.

So, consider two identical M2Cs except for colour — one BTO, delivered in February 2020 at "a good price" (who knows) of $103K OTR; the second, which has been sitting on the forecourt for a couple of months,registered and with 100km on the dial, which I buy on the same day the BTO is delivered, for (as you suggest) $93k OTR.

Now, project forward to June 202x, when both cars are being sold by their respective owners. Both cars will have more or less the same Red Book or Glass's value...but one owner paid $10k less. That owner is ahead — simple. And it's pretty likely no-one buying from that owner will ask (or care) whether it was BTO or bought off the forecourt!

Just food for thought