... I am going to buy a NEW car. Corolla S

[TridenT]

You don't buy a prius to save money... It doesn't save you money... An old Honda Civic or Geo Metro will save you money... Those can get 40mpg with ease and are super cheap if you go far back enough. :awe:

Older honda civic that gets around 40mpg average: $4,000 at the top end.

Prius: $22,500 at the low end. These get 48/51. I'll round it to 50mpg.

You're going to get a 110,000 mile civic likely. It'll have all its maintenance done though and you won't need any real repairs. (For $4,000 you'll find a decent one) Anyway... Let's get on with how much it'll cost in gas and such. Assuming this car will last another 90k miles(which it will if properly maintained) you will spend roughly $6,750 on gas at 40mpg and $3/g. With a prius which will have its batteries probably die or some shit by 90k... It's $5,400. You're saving $1,375 on gas. It's not really a money saver when that fucker costs $22.5k to start over an older car. Oh, and it's probably more environmentally friendly to buy an older car instead of a brand new car because the less cars they have to make... the less pollution from making the cars... the less waste that goes into landfills and shit... Yeaahh.... So it's not really environmentally friendly or a real method of saving money.

 

[CurseTheSky]

BOSE sound systems are generally overrated junk. If you want a good quality sound system in your car, do it yourself. It's really not difficult.

Get the Mazda 3, but skip some of the frills and save yourself the cash. I personally liked the 2.3L when I test drove it, and drove a Focus with the 2.0L - wasn't impressed.

 

[AVAFREAK182]

BOSE sound systems are generally overrated junk. If you want a good quality sound system in your car, do it yourself. It's really not difficult.

Get the Mazda 3, but skip some of the frills and save yourself the cash. I personally liked the 2.3L when I test drove it, and drove a Focus with the 2.0L - wasn't impressed.

My thoughts exactly.

Bragging about a 400W system and Bose speakers?

Lol my car dies when I come to a stop if my bass is up loud.

Time for a new alternator.

 

[RU482]

The Avensis is not a Corolla. The platform shares with the Scion tC.

first thought that popped in my head: Cimmaron

 

[Arkaign]

BOSE sound systems are generally overrated junk. If you want a good quality sound system in your car, do it yourself. It's really not difficult.

Get the Mazda 3, but skip some of the frills and save yourself the cash. I personally liked the 2.3L when I test drove it, and drove a Focus with the 2.0L - wasn't impressed.

Did you drive the Auto Focus? The 4-speed auto in those is borderline terrible

I have a 5-speed Focus S Coupe though, it's more than up to the demands I give it

The 2.3L Mazda3 is the same speed (I've done some ~0-70 and 5-70 runs with a buddy), but the Mazda3 is a more expensive and upscale vehicle. It's also a bit larger and wider, which explains the ~450-550lb weight difference.

I haven't driven the new 2.5L version, but imagine it's even better still, other than a bit of a goofy grin on the front.

On a weird Mazda3 note, it's a bit of a shame that the Speed3 didn't also get the bump from the 2.3L to the 2.5L. I know for a fact that in the Mazda3 and Fusion, the MZR 2.3L to 2.5L evolution increased both power AND fuel economy, which is awesome.

OP, I think you'll be very happy indeed with the 3, and FWIW, they have been extremely reliable since their debut in '04.

 

[StageLeft]

prius rides on the same platform as the corolla, skoorbie

But it gets obscene mpg I have not driven a new Corolla S. I have driven a late model baseline Corolla and it was a fvcking pile. I mean in every way imaginable. I thought it was a despicable embarrassment. I am sure the S is much, much better, though.

I would definitely get the PRIUS over the Corolla but the PRIUS with JBL sound system is around $22,000-23,0000 and it's 4% financing with 20% down at my credit union.
That's $5,000 difference right there.

You don't need JBL. The stock one is "decent". I mean it's going to be shamed by the BMW's, but still. That's a bad financing rate, though, why can't you get this from Toyota? They have 0% on everything and low money factor (interest rate) on leases.

ahh wow I hate you guys!

Now im really wanting a MAZDA3 grand touring 22k for HID/BOSE/Leather/ ...
Look what you made me do.

WHOA STOP THERE, CHIEF.

You are doing a criminal act and I will have you taken to the hague if you continue down this path. I think it's unfortunate to get into an econobox and start getting teased up on the little extras and gadgets and before you know it you're signing on the dotted line a price that should be stuck only with a larger, nicer vehicle. Like I said above, the econobox lifestyle needs to be embraced and just pay as little as you can. Don't try to pretend it's something it's not

TridenT You really you don't buy any new car to save money. You can always make an argument for an old econobox and it will always be cheaper. But, it's an old econobox. Among new cars if you're strictly looking at the money considerations the Prius _at this time_ and if gas prices stay about where they are now would have a very similar total cost of ownership over its econobox competitors. It's probably a hair pricier, but it's also a larger car, technically a midsize. In any case, it is a good bit larger than a Corolla. There are probably exceptions. I think a local stealership actually sells an entry Kia for $10k, new, and I believe that's a real price. Lots of warranty, too.

However, if you buy a 110k mile civic no way in hell you'll make it to 200k without repairs. Heck, even brakes it needs (FWIW the brakes on the Prius last very long, not surprisingly). It's possible your tranny or some other major item could go, too. Also the warranty on Prius battery is very long and although many feared with the first round of hybrids battery life in reality they last well, well over 100k. I think most decade-old Insights still have the original battery, for example.

I agree overall a used $4k econobox is the cheaper option, if a person is ok with it. There is a premium to a new car and almost impossible to make the argument for a new car purely from the financial side.

----

My 2000 Maxima had a bose factory system. The headunit was sh*t. Even at 37k it didn't run the disc when humidity in the car got higher. Fvck ME. Can you even appreciate how annoying that is? I really, really doubt it. A few years ago I finally put my heel through the headunit (really, I did). About three kicks and it totally stopped working. I replaced it with a Pioneer HU last year but kept the bose speakers/amplifier in there and the end result was extremely pleasing.

 

[rancherlee]

Fusion is also 0% for 60 months right now. I could get into a 2.5 SE auto for under 20,000. Its a midsize car VS. the others which are compact cars and it gets an honest 34mpg on the highway. Adults actually fit in the back seats AND they have a huge trunk. Mazda 3 is a sweet car too, or wait for the new European Focus which is FINALLY coming to the US. I'm going a bit more upscale, I'm picking up a Loaded Fusion Sport 3.5L AWD 402a for 26,000$

 

[BassBomb]

i hated the corolla when we shopped for it, interior felt cheap all around, it wasnt much of a looker outside too

 

[angry hampster]

Wait for the new Focus to come out and get one of those instead. *MUCH* better car in every way. And it won't look like you hate your life.

 

[shortylickens]

So I have a BMW X5 now. Every option. Perfect condition... but the thing is so unreliable. Every week I have to fix something on it.

It worries me every time I drive it "what if the transmission goes out". $5,000 right there.

So I decided that tomorrow I am going to take advantage of the 0% and get a brand new Toyota Corolla S with the 400 Watt audio system for $17,250.

... putting luxury aside for a worry free drive.

So anyone have anything negative to say about the Corolla S?
Kind of off-topic but are these 0% for 60 months 100% financing? That would be sweet.

Which X5, the V-6 or the V-8?

 

[Sid59]

Ok
I went and tested the Mazda 3. I believe it was the basic one with the BOSE. It didn't say 2.5 on the back.
I wasn't familiar with it so I didn't buy it. Need to do more research.

However, I am getting the Mazda3 over the Corolla. It totally owns it.

I need your help. Besides Edmunds how do I find out what price to get it for?
Thanks!

www.truecar.com is a nice site for price checks.

 

[senseamp]

Go to carsdirect.com too. Get their price. Then go to edmunds and there is form to email local dealers, ask them to beat carsdirect price. Carsdirect buys from dealers, so they should be able to beat it. Then once you get offers, email other dealers and play them against each other. Just deal with internet manager. You can go to dealership in person and talk to him after the price is close, maybe try to bargain down from there.

 

[StageLeft]

Go to carsdirect.com too. Get their price. Then go to edmunds and there is form to email local dealers, ask them to beat carsdirect price. Carsdirect buys from dealers, so they should be able to beat it. Then once you get offers, email other dealers and play them against each other. Just deal with internet manager. You can go to dealership in person and talk to him after the price is close, maybe try to bargain down from there.

I've had really bad luck with the one or two times I tried emailing for rates. Never got anything back. Calling is not a bad idea and saves hugely on the dicking around in showroom nonsense.

 

[woodie1]

Then there is the Toyota Corolla XRS.

 

[Arkaign]

Then there is the Toyota Corolla XRS.

At that price, who would buy it in any right frame of mind? You get into the range of GTI, Civic Si, Cobalt SS, any number of vastly superior choices.

BASE XRS : $20k+ !!!!!!!

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2010/toyota/corolla/101140844/prices.html

EDIT : ~3000lbs, 158hp .... errrrm. This thing would get owned by even the non-Speed3 Mazda3.

 

[Zap]

Then there is the Toyota Corolla XRS.

Don't know about 2010 models, but back in 2005 my wife and I test drove the Corolla XRS against the Mazda 3s and in every way the 3s was better. Better comfort, better interior, better performance, better ride quality. We both test drove both vehicles and came to the same conclusions.

 

[StageLeft]

At that price, who would buy it in any right frame of mind? You get into the range of GTI, Civic Si, Cobalt SS, any number of vastly superior choices.

BASE XRS : $20k+ !!!!!!!

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2010/toyota/corolla/101140844/prices.html

EDIT : ~3000lbs, 158hp .... errrrm. This thing would get owned by even the non-Speed3 Mazda3.

YIKES 158 hp? The Sentra SE-R was besting that years and years ago, let alone the spec-v. Terrible.

But then it's a Toyota!!!

I actually picked up a 2010 Corolla (not S; baseline) with auto today, will have it this week for business. It is nice these all have MP3 players. Rear speakers already crackling by some idiot before me (3700 on odo) so I have to fade all to the front. It is better than I remember the one being I drove a year or two ago, I wonder if the auto is in fact hiding some of its whizziness of the motor. Steering feels very slushy, though with a lot of body roll.

 

[Aimster]

Update:

Ok I went the complete opposite. There was an Acura dealership across the street and I decided, why not?

I got a 2007 Acura RDX Technology package 44,000 miles Acrua Certified for
$25200 (includes tax, etc).
Bank of America has rates as low as 3.49 .. can't beat that.

 

[woodie1]

Update:

Ok I went the complete opposite. There was an Acura dealership across the street and I decided, why not?

I got a 2007 Acura RDX Technology package 44,000 miles Acrua Certified for
$25200 (includes tax, etc).
Bank of America has rates as low as 3.49 .. can't beat that.

Congrats and good luck to you.

 

[amdhunter]

Update:

Ok I went the complete opposite. There was an Acura dealership across the street and I decided, why not?

I got a 2007 Acura RDX Technology package 44,000 miles Acrua Certified for
$25200 (includes tax, etc).
Bank of America has rates as low as 3.49 .. can't beat that.

Wow, another one with a new vehicle. Damn. I thought there was a recession going on!

The Japanese are making tons of money from us. lol

 

[zerocool84]

Update:

Ok I went the complete opposite. There was an Acura dealership across the street and I decided, why not?

I got a 2007 Acura RDX Technology package 44,000 miles Acrua Certified for
$25200 (includes tax, etc).
Bank of America has rates as low as 3.49 .. can't beat that.

You really like to blow money don't you??? Well it's your money. Good luck

 

[StageLeft]

Update:

Ok I went the complete opposite. There was an Acura dealership across the street and I decided, why not?

I got a 2007 Acura RDX Technology package 44,000 miles Acrua Certified for
$25200 (includes tax, etc).
Bank of America has rates as low as 3.49 .. can't beat that.

HOLY fvcking impulse buy, Batman.

At 2:03 PM you are going to get a Corolla S. At 9:17pm you've decided on a Mazda 3 and then less than 24 hours later instead went with a $25k luxury car with 44k miles on it, lol

 

[MJinZ]

HOLY fvcking impulse buy, Batman.

At 2:03 PM you are going to get a Corolla S. At 9:17pm you've decided on a Mazda 3 and then less than 24 hours instead went with a $25k luxury car with 45k miles on it, lol. If this thread is not a joke, it's epic.

I wouldn't be surprised if He comes back from not being able to afford to maintain the BMW X5 to being unable to pay off the Acura RDX.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Ok
I went and tested the Mazda 3. I believe it was the basic one with the BOSE. It didn't say 2.5 on the back.
I wasn't familiar with it so I didn't buy it. Need to do more research.

However, I am getting the Mazda3 over the Corolla. It totally owns it.

I need your help. Besides Edmunds how do I find out what price to get it for?
Thanks!

http://www.truecar.com/index.html

Good choice on the Mazda3. Gas mileage isn't as good, but boy is it fun to drive and the hatchback will make cargo easier.

I'm located in San Jose and one of the Mazda dealers was going to give me a Mazda3 Sport for 18,300 ($950 below invoice) on a slow day (Tuesday and Wednesday).

It seems like ALL of Toyota's lower to midrange lineup drives like crap. No soul at all.

 

[amdhunter]

HOLY fvcking impulse buy, Batman.

At 2:03 PM you are going to get a Corolla S. At 9:17pm you've decided on a Mazda 3 and then less than 24 hours later instead went with a $25k luxury car with 44k miles on it, lol

I love America.