Don’t ever buy a new car, its value drops 30% the second you drive it off the lot! Same thing with hifi, but if you want new and exciting with a full warranty, you’ll buy new.
I always enjoyed buying a new auto from a dealership. I enjoyed the testing of different brands and models, discussing the variations, finding one that fit my needs and desires that was within my budget, closing the deal, and leaving with my brand new status symbol. A few months later this euphoria was tempered by the high monthly payments and, after a while, the discomfort caused by knowing how long it would take for me to be out of debt. This cycle repeated itself for about 30 years.
I finally realized that I could purchase autos that originally cost more than I could ever afford, eg. Lexus and Mercedes Benz, for half or more off of MRSP. I now have both of those brands in my garage each purchased by a check which eliminated the dreaded monthly payments.
The first paragraph above also describes my audio journey. Audio retail stores, shows, videos, and magazines fulfill my exploratory needs. Purchasing everything used, except speakers, satisfies my audio desires. My enjoyment level stays high. My monetary discomfort never surfaces. A perfect balance for me.