Bare with me here, this is my 2nd time buying a car (my 1st was a Buick which was a mistake), so I'm trying to be more thorough this time 'round.
I'm looking at:
1) 2020 Corolla SE (0 miles/ $19k), Chevy dealership in Florida
Standard Transmission,
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/link/270791064
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2) 2021 Corolla LE (18k miles/ $26k), local carmax
CVT (K313)
Engine: ZRE212L-AEXLPA
VIN: JTDEPMAE6MJ122395
Made in Japan
No link, because it is still reserved me for today.
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3) 2018 Corolla LE (16k miles/$25k), local carmax
https://www.carmax.com/car/23001259
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4) Getting a new 2021/22/23 Corolla, Corolla Hatchback, or Cross (0 miles),
CVT: local Dealerships
Standard Transmission: Non-Local Dealerships
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My thoughts:
For #1, should I not get it because I am unable to test drive it? It is cheaper than all the other ones I'm looking at.
#2 , I took it for a test drive, and I noticed nothing wrong with it. This is my middle ground; this model has more of a track record of reliability/problems than #4, but it is almost the same price as #4 and it has been used. I'm sure I can say the same for #3 after I test drive it.
4) My main worry is that they're the new models, so they don't have a reputation or track record of reliability/problems like older models.
Any feedback is welcome.
Thank you.
For #1. It's a 2020 and at a Chevy dealer. It does NOT have 0 miles. The listing is wrong, no way a nearly 3 yr old used car has 0 miles.
Plus this particular car is likely already sold as their website don't show a Corolla SE with a manual transmission.
Considering the present used car prices, just go with option #4.
Would you recommend staying local for buying a new car, or is shopping online (getting it shipped to me) alright, since it's new?
I'm assuming a test drive, for a new car, is just for seeing how much I like it.
Always buy ANY car in person! For a brand new car, you want to do your own Pre-delivery inspection on the vehicle allotted to you. You will be surprised on the amount of things that can be wrong with a brand new vehicle.. Things such as dents/scratches, paintwork, interior, even features going missing have all happened to brand new vehicle owners. You don’t want to join that list.
You can buy a new Camry for the price of a used Corolla, buying used makes 0 sense.
There’s no reason to spend more money to get an old car with millage.
Buy a new Corolla / Corolla Hybrid / CH-R / …
Thank you, I appreciate your advice.
Forget used in this market, since prices are not much lower than brand new. Just buy brand new. That’s the route I will also be taking.
Dealing with these online car sales outfits or any car dealer is a big mistake, IMO.
There is no choice sometimes. My next car will be coming from a dealer.
What would you recommend?