Thank you for this! I've never ridden a motorcycle and can't drive stick shift or anything manual. Also, Honda Navi was just cheap so I thought it wouldn't be bad for a commute within 15 miles. If I do have a 2010 Yaris, maybe I'll be ok? And I'm in Los Angeles, so I thought maybe I won't have to worry too much about rain? But let me ask, did you save money riding a bike to commute?

I saved money - but more on insurance than on gas. As you look in this, California requires that a motorcycle has at least a 150cc engine to use it on freeways - the Navi has too small an engine.

I was thinking I'd only commute small streets to work (10-15mi) so maybe I wouldn't mind it? I just have a 2000 Civic LX that I'm not driving because of irritating fumes and poured so much money into it I wanna stop. Also, I thought instead of an insane car note, just get the Navi for small commutes and maintain the 2010 Yaris well. Did you drive your motorcycle for work and was saving money on insurance versus gas worth it? I thought motorcycles were more fuel efficient.

I did use the bike for work - I was a photographer, and it was very handy for running around the city, especially parking. Yeah, you save money on gas, but my car insurance is $800 more than my bike insurance these days - that's equivalent to 250 gallons of gas, which is a lot of miles for anything on your list.

What is wrong with that Honda Navi? That price can't be right for one that is brand new.

I've called many dealerships near me and many say for around $3k out the door; plus, it's also not highway legal which I recently thought maybe I'd like to do that. I'm in California too 😅

The Reflex might be a good choice, highway legal, built in storage, etc. It has a CVT automatic. The PCX would be marginal for taking on LA freeways, in my opinion.
Take a look at this site https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/honda-reflex-nss-250/
They have some good stuff on beginner bikes https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/category/top-lists/best-beginner-bikes/
Don't forget to take the MSF course first - just plug in your zip code on this site
https://msf-usa.org/

Well my credit is 630 so it's kinda trash. 😅 My fear was I took out a loan to sell the 2015 Kia Rio and get my 2000 Civic LX from craigslist, had the Civic checked by two different mechanics, and it had so many problems and still make fumes. I also had a 2013 Honda Insight that had excessive oil consumption and the engine blew up on me and I had a 2017 Versa where the transmission was making noises. So I feel like my cheap alternative is a motorcycle and hope it is reliable with less investment, but I will continue to browse at decent car selections before finalizing my decisions. I ignored a PPI and records that showed the Civic sat for 2 years which I should have not took my chance.

One bad thing about motorcycles in the US is they are considered a hobby vehicle, and often it costs more to fix them.
Of your cars mentioned, the civic is quite old, and as you mentioned had issues. I would tell people to not buy a insight or versa, both have a good many issues.
Look up the reviews on the generation of corolla that ended in 2008, they were solid cars, but you do have to do your homework. You also have to be willing to walk away when one gives you bad signs. Talking to an owner, and knowing what to ask can help week out a bad purchase. Good records goes a long ways too. Watch out for cars that have been sold a lot, one owner cars is a very good sign when they got some age, the owner was happy with it.

I will attempt car hunting for a solid Corolla then. It sucks because my Civic was also pretty much a 1 owner vehicle. 😅 I only knew of Scotty after I bought the Kia Rio and regretted my purchase but have some regrets ridding of it because the Civic has fumes.

Also, I hear mixed results on whether things cost more or less to maintain a motorcycle. I'm a bit scared now to consider one 😅

Corolla is the best bet for cheap reliable transportation, also the matrix is just a hatchback version. A Yaris might also be a good, although smaller option. Others may chime in about a motorcycle, perhaps it was just my short experience with them.

A dealership is selling a 2011 Yaris 71k for $8k but I know that's a lot because of stealership prices. As far as motorcycles go, I was told that a 22 year old motorcycle isn't the answer either. 😅 I feel stuck.

That yaris would likely be a decent buy if it checked out. They are super econo boxes, but they get you where you need to go. Not sure if you have tried it, but check out cargurus website to hunt dealerships for certain cars. I used that years ago and actually got a good deal on my 2013 prius. That should give you a lot of options.

I'm using CarGurus again and was working on Corollas 03-08 and Yaris that's not '07. Also, I was looking at Toyota Matrix and 03 was bad but I guess the engine decides to just fail? I really like a Matrix though.

I'm using CarGurus again and was working on Corollas 03-08 and Yaris that's not '07. Also, I was looking at Toyota Matrix and 03 was bad but I guess the engine decides to just fail? I really like a Matrix though.

Always best to not get the first couple of years of a generation of car, so they get the issues worked out.

What are your thoughts on this? Looks clean outside and maintained well including replacing important parts. Car complaints also has it as one of their best vehicles. I'll definitely ask for under $3k if I can. Otherwise, I'm looking at 2004 and 2006 Camrys and trying to get them under 150k miles for around or less than $4k.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/rowland-heights-1997-toyota-corolla/7597115328.html

That one has too much age on it, I would look for something newer.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/hawthorne-2005-toyota-matrix/7592969255.html

I sent an email to them. I can't believe I missed that post.

Also, are there exceptions to buying used cars? Apparently this 08 came from a neighbor (moved) and no title transfer, Carfax says accident in 2013, but looks very clean and maybe they did the job right because it ran fine from 2013 until 2023. 2 reported owners.

Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/ofwbOSvU1xb

What do you mean by, it came from a neighbor but no title transfer? I wouldn't worry too much about the accident, just get it checked out good before you buy it, if it makes it that far. You can look for misaligned body panels that may indicate where the damage was, if you can't get that info from the owner.
I like that they apparently like the car enough to modify it some with tint and nicer wheels. Hopefully that means they care about the car and maintain it well. Good records of maintenance is key.

Oh, the seller bought the car from a neighbor but he didn't put it in his name. I guess the neighbor was leaving the country. I'll ask for maintenance records.

Also, looking at a 2003 Corolla 170k miles with new ECU. Guy says $3k but maybe I can ask for less. Got the car because his cousin who is a mechanic did a repair that the customer couldn't afford and cousin sold it to him.

https://offerup.co/DrXXP5V61xb

Do you think it's worth a shot if the owner put a lot of money into the car? Asking $4500 for a 2007 Corolla. I thought it looked sexy and maybe they really cared for it.

https://offerup.co/ghRD5j461xb

Well, maybe. However, what I see is a car that they made look like a sporty race car, if they drove it like it looks, it could be worn out. I never go for cars that are driven by young people, I like middle aged, and older people owned cars.

That's true. I'll keep in on the back burner. But I am narrowing down! 1. 2009 Yaris 110k miles 1 owner, $4000 (negotiable). Lots of scuffs and it's been hit a few times according to the owner, but Carfax says 1 owner and true miles. Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/2lqCiRfQ2xb

2. 2009 Honda Fit 175k miles 2 owners $4600. Carfax verifies 2 owners but the 2nd owner purchased the car November 10 at 166k miles.  https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/encino-2009-honda-fit/7596861623.html

3. 2008 Toyota Matrix 147k $4500 (negotiable). Carfax says 2 owners, moderate damage to front, left front, left rear, right side, roof in 2013 around 64k miles. Looks really clean still. This is the car that the seller bought from his neighbor but never registered in his name. Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/xypDwdqQ2xb

Also 2008 Yaris but it is the worst per car complaints mainly because paint issues. $3000 but asked for $2700, for 179k miles. Owner replaced tires, spark plugs, battery, battery terminal, few hoses and belts, brakes, and "whole break system.

Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/KprhVubX2xb

The first Yaris looks like the safest bet, if the accidents were checked out well, that fit is in the same category, but way more miles and sketchy that the second owner wants to ditch it so soon. I would lean toward the matrix as it is a bigger vehicle and likely rides better than the yaris, but it would need to check out well from all those accidents. My suggestion is Yaris first and Matrix second. I would pass on the last Yaris.

I misread and the first Yaris is also a 2008 Yaris but the owner put 2009 on the listing. I learned it's 2008 because of Carfax. But it still is a one owner original miles vehicle. I'll get a PPI from the first Yaris and then the Matrix. Thanks for all the input; it's really helpful!

I'm realizing maybe I'll need to take the bus a bit longer before I can consider another car 😅 or just consider very affordable vehicles after careful negotiations. Is this considerable? I know it's old. https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/riverside-2001-toyota-camry-runs/7597513297.html

The 2008 Yaris has about the highest rating I have ever seen on a car. It is not a Lexus, but it will get you from A to B.
https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/yaris/2008/consumer-reviews/?sorting=%7B%22userRating%22%3A%22ASC%22%7D