2008 Yaris or 2015 Sonic ? A relative asked me to go with them last weekend to shop for a used car. The criteria was a four door automatic transmission, with good gas mileage, 30+mpg, and a price limit of $ 4k. The goal is to keep the car for 8-10 years, and approx. 100k or more miles. An internet search led to these two. Both have approx. 105k shown on the odometer.
The Yaris had a couple of minor door dings, and three almost new matching tires. The fourth tire, was older and mismatched, and worn more than half way. Slight cracking. I would replace the tire or work it into the price. The car drove well, transmission shifted smooth and engine had no unusual noise. Went down the road straight, stopped straight. No rattles. Paint was ok, slight LF bumper scuff that would need touch up. Headlights needed to be restored for clarity. No records of oil changes or repairs. The oil was clean, like it was recently changed. Priced right around book value. But the documentation fee was $400, so we walked away.
The Sonic was in another lot a couple of towns away, along with about 15 other almost identical Sonics. All were red, four door hatchbacks. Mileage varied from 70 to 140k. Prices based on miles. All just off lease from a national chain, I was told. The one we looked at had approx. 105k. Price 4k. No document fee. All automatics, with the non turbo engine. No scratches, dings or dents on this one. Interiors were all black, and held up nicely. The down side to the buyer was the bright red paint and the hatch style. It drove well, the 6 spd auto shifted fine. It also has stability control, which the Yaris does not. Priced well under book value.
The question is, which will hold up over the next 100k with minimal repair? How is the EchoTech General Motors engine? I do not know much about the Chevrolet Sonic. An internet search revealed good safety ratings, and good repair records. At least that is what I found.
So which is most likely to go the distance? My vote was the Yaris. (With a new tire and reduced doc fee or price reduction) The buyer wants to think about it, with that they might be gone by next weekend. But their reasoning, no one is buying cars in this COVID-19 driven state, and the prices may come down.
The Yaris had a couple of minor door dings, and three almost new matching tires. The fourth tire, was older and mismatched, and worn more than half way. Slight cracking. I would replace the tire or work it into the price. The car drove well, transmission shifted smooth and engine had no unusual noise. Went down the road straight, stopped straight. No rattles. Paint was ok, slight LF bumper scuff that would need touch up. Headlights needed to be restored for clarity. No records of oil changes or repairs. The oil was clean, like it was recently changed. Priced right around book value. But the documentation fee was $400, so we walked away.
The Sonic was in another lot a couple of towns away, along with about 15 other almost identical Sonics. All were red, four door hatchbacks. Mileage varied from 70 to 140k. Prices based on miles. All just off lease from a national chain, I was told. The one we looked at had approx. 105k. Price 4k. No document fee. All automatics, with the non turbo engine. No scratches, dings or dents on this one. Interiors were all black, and held up nicely. The down side to the buyer was the bright red paint and the hatch style. It drove well, the 6 spd auto shifted fine. It also has stability control, which the Yaris does not. Priced well under book value.
The question is, which will hold up over the next 100k with minimal repair? How is the EchoTech General Motors engine? I do not know much about the Chevrolet Sonic. An internet search revealed good safety ratings, and good repair records. At least that is what I found.
So which is most likely to go the distance? My vote was the Yaris. (With a new tire and reduced doc fee or price reduction) The buyer wants to think about it, with that they might be gone by next weekend. But their reasoning, no one is buying cars in this COVID-19 driven state, and the prices may come down.