[jluke]

Hi - I'm planning on getting a Corolla after taking a test drive in one for the first time ever this week

I just want to make a good choice and have it narrowed down to this - I'd like to get a Corolla "S" or "LE" and as far as extras, a sunroof would be nice but not required. I can pay between $15,000 and $17,000. The year isn't crucial, anywhere between '04 - '08 would be good.

Could someone give me an idea of how to decide or what to consider? I see a lot of Corollas at carmax dot com that look good, but don't know which ones would be best - so if you can send a link to a few cars on that site or another that you consider better than others, I would be really thankful.

Jeff

ps. please feel free to reply in this thread or send a PM. Thanks!

 

[brianr0131]

Just go to a dealer and get a brand new S for that price. You may have to haggle a little but it's fun. Sticker on 2008 S with Alloy wheels, cruise, power locks and windows, and keyless entry is 18K. I belive the LE is priced the same as the S.

 

[jluke]

thx Brian

Brian - thanks for the suggestion - I appreciate it. I didn't realize that a new car is in the same price range. If I decide to spend less - say $13,000 - $15,000 - is there another Year/Model that anyone could recommend?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[botticelliman]

I'd go new if possible. I love the smell of a new car! and you know that no one has messed with it. I'd go with what Brian said. Most Toyota dealers will deal, so I'd go to one dealer, and see what price they can give me by haggling, then go to another, and compare prices. Go to all Toyota dealers in the area, and when u get the lowest price, go to the dealer that you prefer, most likely the closest to home, and tell them the price you can get the car for, and see if they'll beat it. If not, match it. Good luck! Welcome, and enjoy the new Corolla!

 

[dmkkjacobs]

You could probably get a much better deal buying from a private party rather than carmax or a dealer. Certainly, use carmax for test driving purposes. We bought our 2007 LE with 15k miles last month from a private party for $12k, had it check by a trusted mechanic, and it has worked out great for us.

 

[Frankenstipe]

I'm sure you can get an 08 for around that price, the 09's are out now and they are different from the 03-08 models so they would be trying to get rid of them.

 

[ikesurvivor]

Costco

I bought my corolla S in Feb and I got it through the Costco program. No haggle, $500 over invoice. Tinted windows, power mirrors and windows, 6 speaker with 6 disc changer, 16000. The dealer didn't try to play any stupid games, just printed out the invoices of the cars in the Southeastern US that met my requirements and I picked the one that I liked. In hindsight, get the sunroof, you'll want it after all. My wife tells me all the time that I should have gotten the sunroof.

 

[Slaander]

myself bought a 08 corolla S back in Jan, 19k CDN sticker price, walk out with 21k on the road. My car is manual have 6 speakers cd/radio, Tinted windows, power mirrors and windows, also 15 inch alloy rims.

Really this days there not many car comes with sunroof, they most likely come with Moonroof, means you can see the sky though a glass, you can't open it, so imo you don't really need it and use the money on something else. like get yourself a set of better tires and rims, those oe tires just so crappy, and they maybe last 30k km or less.