Car Buying Advice

"Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!" (theduckduck)
04/10/2019 at 15:08 • Filed to: None

I am helping my sister decide on a new car. She is looking at a particular dealership in town because she is being offered a $1000 trade-in on her car that’s maybe worth half that. Her budget is $10-12k. I look to you fellow Opponauts if you have any opinions on whether or not any of the car’s she has sent me look to be a good buy. She will have all repairs done by a mechanic (Firestone). I am also going to include a link to all the cars that they currently have for sale as well. Thank you Oppo!!!

https://www.rochestermazda.com/used-Rochester-2013-Toyota-Corolla-S+FWD-2T1BU4EE1DC110446

https://www.rochestermazda.com/used-Rochester-2017-Toyota-Yaris-L+Special-VNKKTUD32HA081415

https://www.rochestermotorcars.com/used-Rochester-2012-+-Mazda3-i+Touring-JM1BL1V75C1627092

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https://www.rochestermazda.com/used-Rochester-2012-Honda-Civic-EX+L-2HGFG3B01CH545369

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DISCUSSION (16)

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 15:33

I tend to give general/generic advice if I don’t know the potential buyer very well, so here goes.

Unsure how much wiggle room there is in the budget but a PPI on each of those will probably knock one or two out right away. If she trusts the Firestone you could send them there for like a hundred or so a pop? Haven’t needed a PPI for a while.

At a high level, I would probably pick the Fit. It’s the youngest and most likely to be outside of belt service window. It’s going to be the safest because of that as well, and the interior room is second to none in class. It will also probably have the most built in convenience stuff as well, although that may just be more electrics to go wrong later. Mileage is a tad high but well within range for a useful Honda. You’ll have to give up a dedicated volume knob, however. I would see what maintenance has been done on each, and if they have the paperwork to prove it.

Hopefully none of them have rust? Lotta snow and salt this past winter.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 15:34

Was going to say Fit bot 80K for that price? Ehh no. get the Civic because heated seats and 5 speeds vs 4 speed Corolla

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
04/10/2019 at 15:39

I don't trust the Firestone she uses. I feel like like they try to take advantage of her. But I am kind of untrustworthy of all shops. Also she is driving 1.5 hours to check these cars out. I will see if we can possibly arrange to have a shop here locally check any cars out. Thank you!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 15:39

I would get the Fit or the Yaris. The Yaris has an ANCIENT transmission, but I have a 4-speed w/ OD in my wife’s Pontiac Vibe and it does just fine. I would do some research on owner testimonials of the CVT in the Fit, I’m not sure how she does. I do know the Fit will be a much, much nicer place than the Yaris.

Corolla - ehhhhh you may as well buy a previous facelifted gen and save a ton. Later model 1ZZs don’t have consumption issues and they’re cheap cheap cheap.

Mazda3 sedan - no opinion.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 15:39

Ask if a service history is available on the 3. I have a 3 hatch of that same within 5k of that, and my service bills have been pricey each time I’ve gone in for an oil change.

Chariotoflove > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 15:57

In general, all those choices seem to be good cars, as far as I know. Only, the prices seem a touch high so that I’m wondering if the extra $$ she gets on trade in won’t be balanced out by the price such that it’s a wash. Is it worth it to limit herself to this dealer?

Is rust still a problem on the 2012 Mazda 3, or was that resolved by then?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 16:01

That Corolla looks almost identical to the one we had. Ours was a 2012 S with a manual. It is still by far the worst, most unreliable vehicle we’ve ever owned.

I know it’s an outlier, but don’t assume Toyota=Good/reliable car.

Ash78, voting early and often > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 16:03

She is looking at a particular dealership in town because she is being offered a $1000 trade-in on her car that’s maybe worth half that

Just wanted to point out that this is not a great reason to choose that place, but they do that to gain your allegiance (so it worked!). If we’re talking about a $3k “extra car” then maybe...but for a bigger decision, I’d still shop around. You’re going to pay either way, no such thing as a free lunch, etc. IMHO, even at a modest price range, she should figure out what she wants and then try to narrow it down; not just choose from an assortment of whatever the dealer carries.

*all assuming that time permits. Sounds like she’s not in a huge hurry.

Honeybunchesofgoats > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely
04/10/2019 at 16:09

$11k on a Fit with 80k miles on it seems kind of nuts when a new one in that trim starts at $18k

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Honeybunchesofgoats
04/10/2019 at 16:19

And if an additional 7k was on the table, I’d certainly suggest it, but it’s not. Whether for good or for ill, Hondas don’t depreciate like other brands, except maybe Subaru.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 16:31

They’re all fine. They’re cars. Probably the Fit? Oppo seems to like them.

Firestone sucks giant monkey balls. They’re rip off artists, the whole company, full stop. They will do shotty work and try to upsell / even break things in order to turn a profit. She needs to go literally anywhere else.

Edit: and about the PPI; honestly I never do one. Look over the Carfax, try to track services or get service records. Look out for giant warning signs (ie: oil sludge outside the engine, leaks, lifter tick, etc) but in general, it’ll be fine. Any major dealership should give you a spec sheet that gives brake and tire measurements and have given the car a general once over to make sure it’s not in imminent danger of blowing up.

WildlyMild > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 18:09

Rochester is a moderately isolated city so some sort of highway and cross wind comfort/stability is important. I’d go C ivic or Corolla but that Corolla isnt one of my favorite model y ears. If shes open to a manual transmission the 5 speed civic sedan would be a great choice at a discount.

WildlyMild > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/10/2019 at 20:37

Kinja'd!!!

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > WildlyMild
04/10/2019 at 22:47

She actually lives in the cities but that's good advice.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Ash78, voting early and often
04/10/2019 at 22:59

So she is essentially an adopted sister (long story) anywho her biological brother works at this dealership. That is the reason she is looking at this particular dealership. If all else fails, there is a backup family car she could drive temporarily. But I agree with you what you're saying.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
04/11/2019 at 12:45

Mazda 3, but I am biased. This is the best driving and nicest interior car of the bunch. My only concern would be it’s had 6 minnesota winters....