There's always a deal to be had on new vehicles which can make it more viable, if that's your thing. I buy all of my vans new because of the heavy usage they get. Last one, an Auto Expert, I got roughly £9k (about 30%) off list price, meaning the initial depreciation hit has already happened before I bought it brand new
I've actually just done a deal for a very close friend of my mum (who is giving her his old car when the new one arrives) on a Peugeot 2008. Got him about £5k off (or nearly 25%) so, again, the initial hit is minimal. Now this is someone who can't do any DIY and only really understands where to put the fuel! So he's got a brand new car that he really wants and will keep 10 years or so, at a price he is happy with. The only condition is that it has to be registered to me first because it is on a business discount
SWMBO had a brand new Panda in 2009... Again, I got sufficient discount that the first year hit was minimal.
Deals are there to be had, if you are willing to go and get them.
That said, I wouldn't buy a brand new car for myself because of my requirements of big, luxurious car. Unless, of course, I won the lottery... Then I might consider it!