Narrowed my Used car search down to two cars.

[cr2250]

UPDATE
bought a ford focus 2008 with 22k miles for 12k
SES MODEL loaded, im happy!

 

[vi edit]

$8000 for a Corolla with 113000 miles? F that!

I'd look at a Fusion, Malibu, G6, Sonata, or even an Altima in that price range. Milage won't be quite as good but you'll more than likely get lower miles, a safer car and better insurance rates.

 

[cr2250]

Kinda sticking with a compact that gets around 30mpg.
Retail value is 8000 for that corolla if bought from a dealer. I know its somewhat high anyways (paying for the name i suppose)

 

[angry hampster]

Look for a 2.0 Jetta. You can find them well-optioned for ~$4000-7000 depending on year. Model years 1999-2004. The 2.0 is super reliable and very easy on gas. 5-speed transmissions are common. Comparable in size to a Corolla.

 

[cr2250]

I thought jetta's were known for electrical issues?
I'll look for some with low miles.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Look for a 2.0 Jetta. You can find them well-optioned for ~$4000-7000 depending on year. Model years 1999-2004. The 2.0 is super reliable and very easy on gas. 5-speed transmissions are common. Comparable in size to a Corolla.

MK4 platform is gremlin prone, MKV would be a better choice, but out of his price range

 

[lastig21]

How about a late model Focus, Elantra or Sentra with less than 40k miles? Break the cycle . . . Honda's and Toyota's are nice, but do you really want a car with 100,000 miles?

What year was your Focus, and how many miles were on it when you sold it? Why did you sell it?

 

[MJinZ]

Why don't you save up a few more months and get a new car for $10-12k?

A used car like the ones you're looking at needs:

Replacement engine parts
Replacement suspension parts

It isn't worth it.

 

[cr2250]

I need a car now for school and work. Saving 4k would take more than a couple of months
I have max 8000 and I don't really want another focus again.
Mine was 80k 2003

 

[StageLeft]

2002 Honda Civic lx auto 4dr black color
clean title, couple dings but no dents or fender damage.
91000 miles
power windows/locks/mirrors
hub caps and no sunroof, no spoiler
5300 from private seller (sounds like a kid)
all stock, no modifications whatsoever

LOL no

2004 toyota corolla s
clean title, no dings or dents, looks brand new
113000 miles
power windows/locks/mirrors
Stock wheels and sunroof. Spoiler
All stock, no modifications
5 speed! +++ for me
7500 out the door from a mom and pop dealer. Talked him down for 8000
Brand new tires

LOL * 5 NO.

$7500 for a 2004 corolla with 113k miles? HAHAH

I'm sorry both those cars are not good, but the corolla is really a tit-fvck at that price.

Don't believe, don't believe, don't believe the hype (Toyota and Honda). I just found a local 2004 corolla (it's an LE, though) with exactly half those miles for....$7800 ASKING, so you could talk him down lower.

I just found a local 2003 Maxima (approximately 30X the car of a Corolla) with 78k miles for $7500. I know you want an econobox but I'm posting it for comparison's sake. Same vintage full size sedan with far more power/luxury, many less miles, and the same price.

2008 ford fusion, local, 20k miles for $8999 and it looks quite loaded.

You should never, ever, ever. Never ever ever. Don't ever ever pay $7500 or anything close to it for an econobox with 100k miles on it, that thing is overpriced by thousands. Just because "going price" on it may be in that range doesn't mean you should be a sucker like others that would pay so much for a corolla.

 

[cr2250]

LOL no
LOL * 5 NO.

$7500 for a 2004 corolla with 113k miles? HAHAH

I'm sorry both those cars are not good, but the corolla is really a tit-fvck at that price.

Don't believe, don't believe, don't believe the hype (Toyota and Honda). I just found a local 2004 corolla (it's an LE, though) with exactly half those miles for....$7800 ASKING, so you could talk him down lower.

I just found a local 2003 Maxima (approximately 30X the car of a Corolla) with 78k miles for $7500. I know you want an econobox but I'm posting it for comparison's sake. Same vintage full size sedan with far more power/luxury, many less miles, and the same price.

2008 ford fusion, local, 20k miles for $8999 and it looks quite loaded.

You should never, ever, ever. Never ever ever. Don't ever ever pay $7500 or anything close to it for an econobox with 100k miles on it, that thing is overpriced by thousands. Just because "going price" on it may be in that range doesn't mean you should be a sucker like others that would pay so much for a corolla.

Sounds good; ill pass on both.
Dayton.craigslist.org
is filled with overpriced cars, in my area there are overpriced cars....

 

[Arkaign]

Your Focus was a really bad example of a Focus :

was the older Zetec motor (noisier, less reliable, less power, and worse fuel economy than the newer Mazda Duratec in the '05+ Foci)

was modified/screwed up.

You should recheck the opportunities. $7000 will get a *really* nice Focus, particularly compared to what you list above.

Check this out for example :

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...anual&max_price=7500&cardist=8&standard=false

$7.4k, only 20k miles, no accidents, 5-speed, and has the much improved 2.0 mentioned above. For '06 it was rated at 136hp, 132tq, 2600lbs, which compares very positively against the two you list in the OP.

 

[Bignate603]

You're paying a huge premium for the illusion of quality on both those cars. At around 100k the biggest factor for reliability of the car is the previous owner. You could go buy any number of other cars that will be just as reliable if they were well maintained, will have less miles, and will either have significantly less miles or be significantly cheaper. At around 100k miles in an econobox I would be shooting for around $4k or cheaper, not anywhere near $8k.

 

[cr2250]

nvm
manual windows deleted

 

[cr2250]

Could someone find me a decent car in a 45419 zipcode
I swear im trying to find one but I can't! Everything is either high mileage or low mileage with an ok price

 

[cr2250]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searc...rice=8000&num_records=100&seller_type=b&make=

 

[cr2250]

Talked to the guy, lowest he'll go on the corolla is 7450! so 8000 out the door. Crazy high. So I told him no, that many miles is too much for the car. Even though it looks in spectacular condition, I can't bite.

 

[Arkaign]

Wow, you're not kidding, pretty slim pickins in that zip code.

All I can tell ya if you're looking for a reliable car with low miles and 30+mpg, look for '05+ Foci with 5-speed. The 4-speed autos are kind of crappy, and the earlier Zetec/SPI motors have less power and worse fuel economy.

 

[cr2250]

Yeah the area sucks as far as cars. When I lived in Cali, there were cars for sale everywhere which made the market more competitive with pricing. Does this make the corolla look any better? Or the civic? I don't think the civic is over priced considering my area and its marketplace. The corolla may be nice but its a little high, I may bite if he gave it to me for 6500

 

[Arkaign]

The Civic is definitely the better deal of the two, but I think you're going to go a little batty after a bit if you bought it. 4-speed Automatic + 115hp 1.7L motor = bleeeeeeeeeh. Not that a 5-speed ~140hp car is awesome or anything, but it's at least not going to feel obscenely sluggish at all times.

 

[Arkaign]

Ah, forgot to mention, that D17 in the Honda should have it's timing belt changed at that rough range of miles (I prefer 75k, but 90-100k is pretty average). If it hasn't been done, it will need doing, and that will cost a bit of $. It's another reason I <3 Duratec and other motors that use timing chains.

 

[cr2250]

Yeah but at this point i just want a reliable car. Especially after what I had to deal with the focus. If the honda checks out at my mechanic, I think im going to get it at 5200. Its not a bad price at all considering my area. Its all stock.

If I can hit 80mph on the highway, thats all i need.

Btw my gf has a civic its a 2004 ex
would that have the same engine? If so then its not too bad lol

does the corolla use a chain?

 

[Arkaign]

http://www.samarins.com/reviews/corolla.html#engine

^^ That says it has a chain

I have more experience with Hondas, so IDK. I just hope you get something reliable and that you don't dread driving. Honestly if I were spending $6k+ on a car I'd want something that I can reasonably expect 100k or more miles out of on the original motor/tranny. If those cars are well taken care of, that is possible, although it's harder to do with Autos.

 

[cr2250]

Even though there is hype about civics and corollas. I have heard many good things about them. I've heard from my mechanic that the toyota power train is amazingly good.

 

[cr2250]

I honestly want that corolla! buts its 8k out the door, which I think its a bit high? I mean kbb says 8000 retail, nada says 9500. What do I believe?

I guess this is closest to the focus
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/1639828201.html

Ok update on honda, its had an engine replacement done by a shop. The guys said the first engine had a bad gasket...
What does that tell me? Was it driven hard.

The corolla guy won't budge any lower than 8000 out the door. Still overpriced for my area? It may be overpriced for the west but it might be on par with the east's marketplace.