New domain or Expired Domain

[agua]

When starting a new project - do you just buy an existing domain or do you search to see if any are expiring soon?

What do you think the advantages/disadvantages are for both arguments?

[Blue Cat Buxton]

I think of domains I would like, see what is available and then see what is on ones that are already taken.

If they look abandoned I might see when they expire, but generally will go for new domains.

[James]

I always go for new. I also make sure it hasn't been registered in the past just in case. Buying domains isn't a bad idea, though, if you find one that catches your eyes--I just don't like spending the money.

[pickaweb.co.uk]

I would recommend an older domain as the domain age also counts.

[fatnewt]

It depends what was on the older domain. I once had a domain that had previously been owned, but had been banned by Google.

It didn't take long for them to fix the problem when I shot them a quick email to let them know the domain was under new management -- but it's something to be aware of.