The rise in gas prices has me looking for a more efficient vehicle and I love the look of the Corolla Hatchback, the only problem is..I can't tell what a good deal is! Used ones 2019-2020 range in price from $21,000 to $24,000 with 40-60k miles on them. (Only place to get used ones in my area is CarMax, there's no private sellers in my area.) while new doesn't cost much more but I have to consider dealer fees, is it worth continuing to look used or should I look at new options? Thanks.
For the relatively small additional amount you're better off buying a new one. Carmax is one of the worst places to buy a car. It's a dumping ground for bad cars that they flip at inflated prices.
This is gonna be my third car and I haven't bought from any kind of dealer or used lot before, do you know what kind of price difference new would be to used? Thanks.
The 2023 Corolla Hatchback MSRP is from about $21,000 to $24000 depending on how it's equipped. Of course you need to avoid dealers that add thousands in useless addons or blatant "market adjustment" charges. So your out the door price should be MSRP plus taxes and fees. It's best to have your financing arranged ahead of time and you need to watch out for dealer dirty tricks at every step. There are lots of videos on youtube about what to watch out for at dealers.
Although Chuck, I can argue any place or dealership in this market is a dumping ground for bad cars these days. At least with CarMax, you have a good idea of the price ahead of time and you have 7 days to get it thoroughly checked out by a mechanic. And they let you arrange your own financing. Even when you test drive a vehicle - it’s a no pressure environment. I would prefer them over Carvana and Vroom (which are purely online and those are nightmares to deal with), and even over most dealers. But you do pay a premium - that is true.
May well be, but for about the same price they want for a used car you can buy a new one!
I don’t have an issue with CarMax (other than their selection and price premium) - and remember any used car needs to be thoroughly checked by an independent mechanic first - but in this market it makes sense to buy brand new. I never thought in a million years I would say that, but such is the market we are in.
