new corolla or used?

[LOUISSSSS]

the high price is because of toyota's high resale value. Those cars hold their value for a while; much longer than anything domestic. Why? Probably because they are still reliable after many years. Why the low domestic reliability? cuz they probably won't make it another year after you buy it used 😉

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
Why the low domestic reliability? cuz they probably won't make it another year after you buy it used 😉

It's people like you that perpetuate the cycle. Toyota and Honda gained notariety in the 90s because the American brands put out crap products (save for the trucks). Today, the tables have turned and the American products are just as reliable (in some cases rated higher) and cost less.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the high price is because of toyota's high resale value. Those cars hold their value for a while; much longer than anything domestic. Why? Probably because they are still reliable after many years. Why the low domestic reliability? cuz they probably won't make it another year after you buy it used 😉

Actually, its because some people can't do math and get warm fuzzy feelings because they put more stock in public opinion than actually sitting down and researching how to spend their money. Don't get me wrong, I own one toyota (camry) and while the thing is the most boring vehicle I've ever driven it does ok. It's needed more work than my jeep or chevy but I not enough to make me think its a terrible car. However, there's no way it's worth the price difference that people are paying for things with a toyota/honda name on it. I only got it because I found somebody that needed money and was willing to sell at prices that were competitive to what the car was actually worth.

While Toyota and Honda do make decent cars their reputation and resale is based more on people's perception of reality rather than reality itself.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the high price is because of toyota's high resale value. Those cars hold their value for a while; much longer than anything domestic. Why? Probably because they are still reliable after many years. Why the low domestic reliability? cuz they probably won't make it another year after you buy it used 😉

Actually, its because some people can't do math and get warm fuzzy feelings because they put more stock in public opinion than actually sitting down and researching how to spend their money. Don't get me wrong, I own one toyota (camry) and while the thing is the most boring vehicle I've ever driven it does ok. It's needed more work than my jeep or chevy but I not enough to make me think its a terrible car. However, there's no way it's worth the price difference that people are paying for things with a toyota/honda name on it. I only got it because I found somebody that needed money and was willing to sell at prices that were competitive to what the car was actually worth.

While Toyota and Honda do make decent cars their reputation and resale is based more on people's perception of reality rather than reality itself.

not to add to the flame, but ofcourse.

Most people know nothing about cars (my gf included). Perception IS everything in sales. It's the reason why Bose sells so much. What research do you need besides past experiences? That is how most people think. You go with what you trust and you tell your kids to do the same thing.

Anyways....my gf is so torn now...she does not want to plunk down that much on an econo box...but she does not want to spend 10K on a used car with 50K on it. She was just going to plunk the 10.5K on the sold one b/c of the sunroof.

I am not going to push her to look elsewhere. Why? Because I know people who have been down this road before. You buy a car that is cheaper and should be just as good. It's only a vehicle and it should last just as long and is only need to bring you to point A to point B, right? OK, so you buy an Altima instead of an Accord. It's all good until a year later when you finally realize that the Altima runs well...and does last just as long....but it just isn't as comfy as the Honda you REALLY wanted....then boom....some minor repair needs to be done @ 60K. Your first thought...would this have happened if i bought the car I really wanted? That is the kind of piece of mind that one wants when getting a vehicle they want...and you will not get that by buying something that is "cheaper and just as good" with most people.

 

[Gibson486]

Ah man.....my gf is inquiriung about an Eclipse. It's a convertable...so that is an immediate girl magnet. How should I break the news to her and tell her to not even bother with it? I have heard to many horror stories with the post 1st gen eclipses.

 

[StageLeft]

thing is....it is over priced. But the market dictates what you pay and 10.5K for hethat is, unfortunately, the low end. Everywhere else has that car for 12K-13K w/o the sunroof.

And the market says a Gucci handbag is worth $600. Is it really? Toyota and Honda both are overrated from a price perspective on their used offerings.

The S does have the upgraded suspension it it handles better than the LE, but not better than a Civic or 3.

Also, to whoever said it, handling is not sloppy, it's just...well....it effortless. The steering is so light, that it feels overcompensated at times.

If talking about a corolla, civic, etc. handling should really be no part of the equation, these things are pure utilitarian, I think that once one starts looking for more from them one will be wildly disappointed. They are nothing but four doors and a steering wheel.

I would get either a low miles Mazda 6 or Ford Fusion. You can get both of these cars in 07 and 08 low miles (well under 30k) for much less than 14k. As a matter of fact, you may be able to get a steal for around 10k or 11k just like some people on the forums did. Just do your research.
Mazda 6 or Ford Fusion equals to a complete different class of a car than the subcompact Corolla or Civic.

THIS

Those cars hold their value for a while; much longer than anything domestic. Why? Probably because they are still reliable after many years.

And also because the public has an unrealistic perception of how perfect they are. They are better than their competitors, but not to the extent a person should ever consider paying $10.5k for a four year old compact with 50k miles.

If you want a typical import, I'd opt for Nissan because their resale is much lower than Honda and Toyota, but they come close on actual quality.

I am not going to push her to look elsewhere. Why? Because I know people who have been down this road before. You buy a car that is cheaper and should be just as good. It's only a vehicle and it should last just as long and is only need to bring you to point A to point B, right? OK, so you buy an Altima instead of an Accord. It's all good until a year later when you finally realize that the Altima runs well...and does last just as long....but it just isn't as comfy as the Honda you REALLY wanted....then boom....some minor repair needs to be done @ 60K. Your first thought...would this have happened if i bought the car I really wanted? That is the kind of piece of mind that one wants when getting a vehicle they want...and you will not get that by buying something that is "cheaper and just as good" with most people.

Nothing is guaranteed. I mentioned in another thread how my neighbor's brand new honda odyssey has been in the shop at least twice. Once, after a few thousand miles, the thing stranded her on the side of the road. Bought brand new, remember. The repair bill was something like $14k, all done under warranty; the engine had destroyed itself.

I bought a Maxima at 37k and the only repairs (now at 122k) have been replacing the ignition coils and a clutch line and torn cv boots. I bought a nissan sentra once at 142k and sold it about 40k later. The only repair to that was a thermostat.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Ah man.....my gf is inquiriung about an Eclipse. It's a convertable...so that is an immediate girl magnet. How should I break the news to her and tell her to not even bother with it? I have heard to many horror stories with the post 1st gen eclipses.

omg

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Ah man.....my gf is inquiriung about an Eclipse. It's a convertable...so that is an immediate girl magnet. How should I break the news to her and tell her to not even bother with it? I have heard to many horror stories with the post 1st gen eclipses.

omg

coming from someone who actually owned 2 eclipses...I think my point is valid.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

thing is....it is over priced. But the market dictates what you pay and 10.5K for hethat is, unfortunately, the low end. Everywhere else has that car for 12K-13K w/o the sunroof.

And the market says a Gucci handbag is worth $600. Is it really? Toyota and Honda both are overrated from a price perspective on their used offerings.

The S does have the upgraded suspension it it handles better than the LE, but not better than a Civic or 3.

Also, to whoever said it, handling is not sloppy, it's just...well....it effortless. The steering is so light, that it feels overcompensated at times.

If talking about a corolla, civic, etc. handling should really be no part of the equation, these things are pure utilitarian, I think that once one starts looking for more from them one will be wildly disappointed. They are nothing but four doors and a steering wheel.

I would get either a low miles Mazda 6 or Ford Fusion. You can get both of these cars in 07 and 08 low miles (well under 30k) for much less than 14k. As a matter of fact, you may be able to get a steal for around 10k or 11k just like some people on the forums did. Just do your research.
Mazda 6 or Ford Fusion equals to a complete different class of a car than the subcompact Corolla or Civic.

THIS

Those cars hold their value for a while; much longer than anything domestic. Why? Probably because they are still reliable after many years.

And also because the public has an unrealistic perception of how perfect they are. They are better than their competitors, but not to the extent a person should ever consider paying $10.5k for a four year old compact with 50k miles.

If you want a typical import, I'd opt for Nissan because their resale is much lower than Honda and Toyota, but they come close on actual quality.

I am not going to push her to look elsewhere. Why? Because I know people who have been down this road before. You buy a car that is cheaper and should be just as good. It's only a vehicle and it should last just as long and is only need to bring you to point A to point B, right? OK, so you buy an Altima instead of an Accord. It's all good until a year later when you finally realize that the Altima runs well...and does last just as long....but it just isn't as comfy as the Honda you REALLY wanted....then boom....some minor repair needs to be done @ 60K. Your first thought...would this have happened if i bought the car I really wanted? That is the kind of piece of mind that one wants when getting a vehicle they want...and you will not get that by buying something that is "cheaper and just as good" with most people.

Nothing is guaranteed. I mentioned in another thread how my neighbor's brand new honda odyssey has been in the shop at least twice. Once, after a few thousand miles, the thing stranded her on the side of the road. Bought brand new, remember. The repair bill was something like $14k, all done under warranty; the engine had destroyed itself.

I bought a Maxima at 37k and the only repairs (now at 122k) have been replacing the ignition coils and a clutch line and torn cv boots. I bought a nissan sentra once at 142k and sold it about 40k later. The only repair to that was a thermostat.

you miss the point. You are buying piece of mind. It is worth alot to some people. I owned an 01 Altima till it decided to go bye bye at 150K. Yes, the engine was a champ and it was reliable....but that was the only good aspect of that car. There was not a day in it's last year of ownership where I was not expecting it to break down (the cheap plastic interior did not help anything). While the car never let me down, I was not sad to see it go and it was surely nice to not have to worry about me being stranded if the engine started to overheat for no reason again.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd try to get them to come down on the "New to You" Corolla. 😉

If they won't budge then I'd probably get the new one.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I'd try to get them to come down on the "New to You" Corolla. 😉

If they won't budge then I'd probably get the new one.

nah...some fool bought it for 11.3K. He was the "lucky man who bought it", as the dealer said.

I am going to try to get the new Corolla cheaper ot try to get a sunroof thrown in for that price.

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

nah...some fool bought it for 11.3K. He was the "lucky man who bought it", as the dealer said.

I am going to try to get the new Corolla cheaper ot try to get a sunroof thrown in for that price.

As you know, these cars aren't just flying off the showroom floors any more so there is always room to negotiate. If your salesman says "that's that" then tell him to keep the car it for the next "lucky man who wants to buy it." If you have a little time, get some internet quotes from local dealers. It saves alot of hassle and usually saves you some money too.

 

[Arkaign]

Gib, some questions :

How many miles / year does your GF drive?

Does she specifically want a compact?

Will she drive this till the wheels come off, or looking to sell/change in 2-3 years?

If she's looking for something cute/girly, but still Toyota Motor / Drivetrain, the TC might be a good fit for her.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...dist=47&standard=false

$10k, 15k miles, 2007 model.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Gib, some questions :

How many miles / year does your GF drive?

Does she specifically want a compact?

Will she drive this till the wheels come off, or looking to sell/change in 2-3 years?

If she's looking for something cute/girly, but still Toyota Motor / Drivetrain, the TC might be a good fit for her.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...dist=47&standard=false

$10k, 15k miles, 2007 model.

probably the normal 10-15K a year......

Yes, she wants something small...

She wants to keep it until the wheels fall off (she says)...

She does not drive stick and I am not teaching her how too...she also hates silver (she ctually wants a SCION, but she cannot justify paying 19K for one).

She finally agreed to look at other cars, though. We are gonna look at VWs, Civics, and Imprezas.

 

[thescreensavers]

Which Engine is in the used one. The VVTL-I ? 2zz?


Edit: nvm thats the XRS model

 

[Arkaign]

Should be able to scoop an Auto Scion for ~$10k with low miles and '06+.

VW = not enthusiastic about.

Civic = historically great cars.

Impreza = I don't have enough personal experience with those to offer any useful comment.

Has she looked at Focus? You get an awful lot for the $$, and they drive wonderfully (also the quietest in the segment).

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Ah man.....my gf is inquiriung about an Eclipse. It's a convertable...so that is an immediate girl magnet. How should I break the news to her and tell her to not even bother with it? I have heard to many horror stories with the post 1st gen eclipses.

omg

coming from someone who actually owned 2 eclipses...I think my point is valid.

I should have expounded; she should not be allowed to choose her own car at this point 🙂 Exclipse = awul!

 

[Baked]

Definitely the new one.