A Cuban TikToker based in Atlanta, Georgia, sparked a debate on whether it is better to buy a new or used car in the United States after sharing the breakdown her vehicle experienced just a year after purchasing it.
Yanet Atlanta, a content creator well-known in the Cuban digital community, posted a video on TikTok on Wednesday in which she shares how her brand new, zero-mileage car—a Kia EX—ended up in the shop due to a malfunction in the trunk sensor that prevents her from opening the hatch with the button, from the app, or from inside the vehicle.
"I bought a brand new zero-mile [Kia] EX, which isn't a bad car, we all know that, right? Guess where my car is today? One year after I bought it? Not here, this one is borrowed," Yanet said in the video, recorded while she was using a vehicle loaned to her during the repair.
What makes the testimony more striking is the contrast with his previous experience: the used car he had before never gave him any problems.
"He never, ever, ever had anything break because it was operated by a handle, it didn't even have sensors," he pointed out.
Yanet recalled that some time ago, when she spoke in favor of ride-sharing cars on her platform, she received criticism from followers who insisted that those vehicles were unreliable and broke down easily.
The irony was not lost: it was precisely his new car —purchased with monthly payments and interest— that ended up causing him additional mechanic expenses.
"The conclusion is not that one is better than the other; it's that the new car can also break down, not to mention that by paying a monthly fee and interest, I'm essentially paying for the mechanic every month," he explained.
His final message was clear: he does not advocate for used cars as the superior option, but warns that no vehicle guarantees absolute reliability.
"I don't mean to say that buying a used car is better now... what I want to convey is that either one, the used or the new, can break down." he concluded.
The debate between buying a new or used car is a recurring topic in the Cuban community in the United States, especially among newcomers who need to get around quickly and do not always have a credit history.
The most common recommendation among financial advisors in the Hispanic community is to opt for a used car paid in cash to avoid debt and not compromise credit in the early stages of life in the country, according to advice for recently arrived Cubans.
It is not the first time that a Cuban in the United States has shared a negative experience on social media after purchasing a vehicle: a similar case sparked extensive debate within the community in September 2025.
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