Looking to get a used vehicle that would last 7 years +, with relatively good gas mileage. Our budget is $14k. Would like a vehicle to get him through high school and 4 years of college, after that he can get the vehicle of his choosing (on his dollar). Looking at Toyota Camrys. Found a 2015 XLE Hybrid with 117,000 miles (one owner/ no accidents according to Carfax). Yes, it has a CVT transmission, but what can you do. It's being offered at a dealership (one that I have purchased a used vehicle from before and have been very happy with that purchase and their service) I know your feelings on Toyotas but I have a concern about the Hybrid system lasting 200,000 miles +. What are your thoughts? Recommendations?
I wouldn’t worry too much about the Camry hybrid CVT. It isn’t a traditional CVT that is belt driven. Rather it is an eCVT which is planetary gear set driven.
The big thing to worry about is the hybrid battery. Iirc, The warranty is for 150,000 miles or 8-10 years (double check the paperwork for actual numbers.)
From anecdotal evidence, the hybrid battery on average seems to need replacing around 225,000 miles on average. Some as little as 175,000 miles. Some like me in my Prius, going up to 275,000 miles and 17 years before needing a replacement.
Found a 2015 XLE Hybrid
the thing to watch out for is hybrid batteries. That one is 9 years old which would make it ready for replacement very soon.
I don't know how much those go for where you are, but you can expect at least a $3k bill in the near future.
TY
Just go for non hybrid version as hybrid batteries are expensive to replace and with that age most likely needed a replacement soon.
TY
Corolla
Corolla a lot of teenagers myself included wrecked their first car I'd recommend getting a base model Corolla
You really don't have to go for hybrid cause 4 cylinder Camrys/corolla gets plenty of gas mileage already. Hybrids are for people with regular stop and go traffic to save some gas. Plus the Hybrid battery typically lasts around 250k miles before it needs a replacement. You also have to worry about the generator in the hybrid cars. So hybrids can be endless money pit as they age. I would recommend you get a regular Camry/corolla for your son and teenagers usually don't really take care of their car. Like Scotty mentioned Teenager's have this mindset where they think they are indestructible and will take a lot of risks. Camry's/Corolla can take a lot of beatings and still can last quite some time. I bought an 05 Camry for $2k when it had like 200k miles during the pandemic and I drove it for 330k miles and sold it. We currently have an 06 Camry with 375k miles and is still going strong. It does burn some oil but we just top it off with oil and keep driving it. Oil is cheap and engines are expensive. Good luck.
