I am a complete car noob and have recently come to the USA. I realized that without car it is almost impossible to commute here. I am hence in lookout for a sedan car and we are two people (me and my wife) who will be using. I will need for my daily office commute (11 miles or so one way) and on weekend for grocery shopping etc.
I am having a tight budget of 5000$ max and given the good reviews that corolla has been constantly getting, i am getting inclined towards buying a used 8th gen (99-2000 models) corolla. I know that i would not be able to score a 9th gen (2003 onwards) for the budget.
How many maximum miles should i be seeking ? I see cars of 180,000 miles too but too reluctant to buy them.
Also i need automatic transmission only.
Earlier models have known problems with oil burning. I would avoid getting a used car with that many miles unless you have additional room in your budget for wear and tear replacement costs for parts. I would look at getting a 2001 or 2002 instead at least as those have seem to have addressed the problem.
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Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
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Thanks for the super quick reply Mod. Am i too optimistic in saying that i can get a 2001/2002 model corolla for under 4500/5000 dollars ??
Also what is the maximum miles i should opt for (like i would never want a 200,000 miles run car) ?? I will be checking the 2001/2002 models as you suggested.
Sorry if i am deviating from the generation but is it a good buy if i can get a 2003/2004 corolla for under or max 5000 $?? Assume that car is in good condition (or at least claimed to be) and miles are like 150,000 to 170,000.
I think you can find any car that will suit your budget if you look hard enough. With that said though, sometimes paying a little bit more (say, $5500-6000) for a lower mileage car will save you more money in the long run from less wear and tear occurring. In general, the lower the mileage the better. I personally would aim for something that has 120,000 or less.
The 2003 and 2004's can also be good buys provided you can find low mileage examples. It comes down to personal preference really which generation body style you like more. But don't be afraid to pay a little more if you feel it gives you more peace of mind.
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Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
^^What you are saying is right but i have just arrived in USA and am limited in terms of finances. My first priority of buying a car is convenience and not looks etc. Actually i come from a country where having a car is luxury and so i have absolutely no understanding about them. So first preference goes to cost and then to looks. I checked consumerreports.org and saw that corolla is a consistent performer across all the years and have heard that its maintenance is lower compared to other cars in similar segment.
Btw i too am looking for a 120,000 miles or less car but getting a good price/miles/year ratio is a matter of luck.
I hope i am able to get a good car soon. Plan to buy this month end.
PS: Btw i do like the altima 2003+ models but they are expensive for my budget
High mileage examples would be okay too if the previous owner has all the service history records and the car was mainly driven on highway trips. I would say 150,000 is quite reasonable for a car of this age. Good luck in your search.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
Look for one with the OD trans. They are mush longer lasting than the 3 speed trans if you must have an automatic. I would not be afraid of one with 125K on the clock.
By OD trans they are referring to the 4 speed auto. I think the VE is the only one with the 3 speed. Many cars burn through more oil than they should, and you have to add extra oil between oil changes.
In case i go ahead with buying a corolla 8th gen, then i guess it will be a good idea if i get a 2000-2001-2002 models right ? Rather than going to the early 1998-1999 models ?
I see on CG people selling corollas 2000-2001 models for under 4500 $ with OK mileage.
Are there any major issues with these year ranges of the corolla ?
Generally speaking, these cars are as reliable as they come. But as with all other used car purchases, how reliable it is will be dependent on how the previous owner drove and took care of it. Always ask for the cars service records so you have a better idea of what to expect. Run a carfax or autocheck report before you finalize the deal. The extra money spent on those will reduce the likelihood of a nasty surprise popping up after you buy the car.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
The Following User Says Thank You to PhatRoyale For This Useful Post:
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Seeking suggestion on buying a 8th Gen Corolla
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