2011 Corolla S

[surfstar]

$12k is new car territory.

Low end Nissan, Hyundai/Kia, heck even the 1.4T Jetta.

If you really want it, offer $8k. Its freaking 6 years old!


Make a spreadsheet and compare estimated costs for that used car vs a new one of the above.
Run it out 5-7 years or so. Estimate residual value at the end and miles on each, etc.

Then see how much you should spend on a used car, or roll that into a low-priced new one (latest tech and safety, etc)

my $.02

 

[deanm11]

I think kelley blue book is high (generally, across all cars).. and for someone that doesn't want to overpay, approaching anything near 'retail' is too much. I think Edmunds is closer to right. I might be missing a few minor options, but I get $8800 private party value there.

 

[SatinSilver]

What year was the 2 door Accord that you looked at? Even with the 4cyl I would think that would be sufficient and so much more car than the Corolla. No timing belt either to replace like the 6cyl version. Plus the trans seems to be more durable in the 4cyl model.

I had a 99 Accord coupe for 10 yrs that I bought new and put 166k miles on it. Very good car.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
What year was the 2 door Accord that you looked at? Even with the 4cyl I would think that would be sufficient and so much more car than the Corolla. No timing belt either to replace like the 6cyl version. Plus the trans seems to be more durable in the 4cyl model.

I had a 99 Accord coupe for 10 yrs that I bought new and put 166k miles on it. Very good car.


2007,62k miles,$7500. But has salvaged title and Carfax shows it's been in an accident.

 

[aquariuscsm]

^^ It's an EX-L model. Blue with black leather,sunroof,auto,nav,4 cyl. It's a beautiful car. Would Carfax accident history and salvaged title be a deal breaker?

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
^^ It's an EX-L model. Blue with black leather,sunroof,auto,nav,4 cyl. It's a beautiful car. Would Carfax accident history and salvaged title be a deal breaker?
It definitely is a deal breaker, unless they cut that price at LEAST in half.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
^^ It's an EX-L model. Blue with black leather,sunroof,auto,nav,4 cyl. It's a beautiful car. Would Carfax accident history and salvaged title be a deal breaker?
It definitely is a deal breaker, unless they cut that price at LEAST in half.

AKA:
-it is only as good as the repairmen/time+money invested
-some insurance companies will drop you
-hard to re-sale

please note there is some difference between re-built and salvage from state to state, but some companies mix the two....

Now, you are in TX, in the SOUTH, AKA the land of that almost never seen crazy RUST the northerners are complaining about....

need i say more?

 

[SatinSilver]

I'd shop for some cars at CarMax. They seem to be pretty solid but a little pricy. They will negotiate price. If you do a search on www.autotrader.com you can plug in a bunch of search criteria. Even use the keyword "one owner" to get some quality results. Craigslist seems to be loaded with a lot of junkers.

 

[surfstar]

For fun, run a search on cars.com and autotrader for the cheapest NEW car you can find, within a couple hundred miles.

Bet you'll find a few listings for under $10k (these are under $12k)

1

[used] I like Mazda3's ^

[new] some of these are gimmic prices, I'm sure
2
3
4

 

[surfstar]

^oops, one of those was supposed to be a Focus. But you get the idea...

 

[Cujet]

I've been renting the Corolla for years. I find them universally inferior to the Camry or the Altima. They seem cheaper, thinner, louder, and they don't drive as well. From what I understand, they also don't last as long.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I'm searching Accord Coupes. Seeing better deals than the Corolla. I've found a few fully loaded ones in Houston (at actual dealerships,not tote the note joints). 2010,V6,leather,sunroof,auto(which is a requirement,I don't want to do a manual in city rush hour traffic anymore),60k-ish miles in the $11,000 range. I remember driving one of these V6 ones one time and remembering how much I loved it.

Are the Accords (4cyl and V6) timing chain engines? I don't want a belt driven one.

 

[Mr Nice]

4 doors is better for transporting your kids.

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
4 doors is better for transporting your kids.


Ok?

 

[surfstar]

Why would you spend $11k on a 7 year old car with 60k miles, when I've shown you can get into a brand new car for only a little more? Yes, its no Accord, but it also is NEW. 0 miles on the wear items. Factory warranty. Better mpg.

Another vote for a non two-door coupe, if you have family to tote around, also.

If you go Accord, get the 2.4L with a timing chain and reliable auto (the v6s are the opposite)

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
4 doors is better for transporting your kids.


Did OP mention kids?

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Why would you spend $11k on a 7 year old car with 60k miles, when I've shown you can get into a brand new car for only a little more? Yes, its no Accord, but it also is NEW. 0 miles on the wear items. Factory warranty. Better mpg.

Another vote for a non two-door coupe, if you have family to tote around, also.

If you go Accord, get the 2.4L with a timing chain and reliable auto (the v6s are the opposite)


Thank you so much!! I apologize for just now finally responding. The Mazdas are really good looking cars. The last Mazda I've driven was a Millenia a friend of mine's mom inherited. I had to pick it up and deliver it. An amazing car,but of course was many years ago,early 2000's maybe. I'm gravitating towards the Accord because I love the way they feel and drive. The craftsmanship too seems solid and top notch. I know a lot of people who have them and that's all they'll ever own. I've driven many different makes and models of cars (foreign and domestic) and of course the Japanese have always been my favorite. I've always loved Nissan of course,but I don't know how the current ones are compared to the 80s and 90s ones I've owned.

 

[Mr Nice]

Get a used Mazda3 with SkyActiv engine and manual transmission, good gas mileage and very reliable. Accord with manual transmission and 4 cylinder engine is another good option.

I thought he mentioned kids in another post... I'm confusing him with another member of BITOG.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Get a used Mazda3 with SkyActiv engine and manual transmission, good gas mileage and very reliable. Accord with manual transmission and 4 cylinder engine is another good option.

I thought he mentioned kids in another post... I'm confusing him with another member of BITOG.


Haha nope,just hauling myself around.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I might go look at a couple of cars this weekend. What I'm wanting is practicality,comfort,durability,reliability,and a little bit of fun factor all rolled up in one.