Depreciating a new, but used car

Dear Terry,
I am looking at a new 2006 Kia Sportage LX that has been driven. I want to know if you can deduct depreciation of a year-old car from the manufacturer's suggested retail price?
-- Trinda Wheeler

Dear Trinda,
It's unclear from your e-mail whether you're talking about a car that has some miles on it, but has never been registered -- which means it's still considered a new car -- or a car that's been sold once and is now back on the dealer's lot.

If it's a new, never registered vehicle, the dealer should offer a deep discount, but you're unlikely to get 30 to 35 percent off the sticker price, which would represent about a year's depreciation on a new vehicle. If the car has been registered, then you should seek a deal that would reflect the 30 to 35 percent depreciation value.