The same car gets cheaper as it ages

Mazda 3 Sport GT · three model years · all prices in today's dollars

2026 Mazda 3, new

New · 2026

$45,822

↓
SWEET SPOT2023 Mazda 3, three years old

3 years old · 2023

~$28,000

↓
2020 Mazda 3, six years old

6 years old · 2020

~$19,000

Same car, three ages. The steepest drop is in the first three years. The first owner pays ~$18,000 to go from new to three years old. The next owner skips it.