Hey everyone! I'm from upstate NY and looking to purchase my first car. I need a car to take me to and from work (40mi round trip) and maybe a couple of interstate trips a year or so. I just want it to last me for the next 2-3 years hopefully. I came across this 2010 Toyota Corolla S with 109k miles for $6995 ( https://www.facebook.com/share/15grss2mCs/) ).
I am a recent graduate and just started work. I got student loans to pay and I just want a car that won't become a money pit. So I am being very careful with it.
I went there and drove it around and it seemed fine. There are tiny scratches here and there, the inside is not entirely clean. There is a tiny crack on the center media console (dash), and the engine plastic cover has a crack too (most of these seem cosmetic). I got a mechanic to get it checked as well, he drove it around and he said the car is fine but there are some fixes that he would recommend me to do (he did ask me to drive it for 300miles or so and see how it is). The car has winter tires on the front and all-seasons on the back (is this normal?). He quoted me for about 2.6k. https://imgur.com/a/BRuyVB6
The guys selling there said they could look into the brake pads and the sunroof but other things they wouldn't fix before selling it. There is minimal rust underneath. Carfax says the car is clean with no accidents but my mechanic said the car might have been hit in the back because I could see the bumpers slightly molded or misaligned.
After NY tax the car comes to about 7.5k. Would you suggest I get this car? I tried negotiating but he wouldn't budge because it is Toyota and he will always find someone to buy it as is which I get because these sell like hotcakes.
I already paid like $300 downpayment to hold the car and have a Bill of Sale. And I have until Monday to pay the rest. They said they'll do the NYS inspection and get everything checked out by then.
What should I do? Would you recommend me to go ahead with this purchase? Thanks in advance!
Here is the Carfax for this car - https://www.carfax.com/api/consumers/838585643/report/email/d8f660dfdf302aa9fb357f56037b505a510d1c2f3d0363b4700bb181cff1c0a246393061a470d0b9?s_id=c-1%7Cp-5%7Cmt-10%7C&partner=VHU_G&et_id=10044664
The price they're asking in New York state for a 15-year-old Toyota is absurd. My mother lived in Buffalo for years. I know what happens to those cars from the salt and regardless of what they say, the undercarriage and everything's going to be rusting. They're just trying to take you for a ride
@scottykilmer Thanks for your response! It really is difficult to find a fairly priced toyota/honda up here. I am desperate for a car and a new one is just super expensive to get.
The car has winter tires on the front and all-seasons on the back (is this normal?
From what I remember, you always want the tires with the most traction, whether it’s a more aggressive tread pattern, new tires with more tread, or snow tires, to be on the rear to avoid fishtailing. But I don’t remember too much about snow tires because I live in California. So before you take my advice on that maybe someone could back me up or correct me there?
Try to pay less but that car should last you well beyond 2-3 years.
@bobthehatking You are correct that the tires with the best traction should be in the rear. I have a friend who was a tire dealer for over 50 years, he attended many dealer conferences that taught this. The dealers got to drive on test tracks with the best tires on the front, then with them on the back. Proved that best tires on rear provided best control.
I was looking around and some people were saying to have them on the drive wheels specifically for snow tires and it sorta made sense at that time so I got confused for a second lol