Dear Scotty,
I’ve been watching your videos for a while and I love your content! I’m looking into buying a new to me vehicle and I am on a relatively tight budget. The car that stands out most to me is this 2010 CR-V. (Link below)
I would like something I can do Uber or Lyft in if I get in a financial pinch but I want something that can reliably get me through the 5 year loan without many issues. They included a free CarFax report on the listing and it looks like it’s been reasonably well kept based on the report.
I watched one of your videos in which you said that 2010 is one of the worst years for the CR-V and I’m scared of the potential oil consumption issue and other possible issues, but I’ve also seen that if you top it off as needed it still runs well.
Should I avoid this car and find a similarly priced RAV-4, or move forward with the potential purchase?
I’ve mostly been looking at CR-Vs, RAV-4’s, and Subaru Foresters in the 2010-2012 years and under $12k out the door with trade and as close to 100k miles or under as possible. Some reviews have turned me away from Subaru even though they are the cheapest of the bunch, and RAV-4’s in the same mileage and year range are cutting it close to or over my budget depending on the wiggle room of the prices.
i like to think I’m good at finding cars but this has been a struggle!! If you could help, I would greatly appreciate it!!!
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/6e3650ba-7ef1-442c-8d7e-5889835612ee?aff=share_other
I would try if at all possible to find a RAV4
I don't know about where you live but I know where I live you can get a base 2010 RAV4 with about 100,000 miles for about 10 grand
Have you checked Facebook Marketplace offer up Craigslist CarGurus Auto Tempest AutoTrader
I've had luck with Craigslist in there it's easier to find a car from a private person or you can also find on Facebook Marketplace
Just beware that a lot of times it claims to be for sale by owner when it's really from a dealer
Thank you! I live in Chicago, 60619, the CR-V I was looking at, I actually called a recent mechanic that worked on it and it has the oil consumption issue, and I am scared to buy it at this point. I also found a RAV4 that looked good and called a Mech and it had trans issues. I created a newer post with a few possible options in the area, RAV4's are expensive or a lot of miles. Unfortunately, I don't have private party money at the moment, otherwise it is my preference. I got a preapproval from my bank for 12K and need to be out the door with that plus a 1k trade. Here is my newer post: https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/should-i-buy-one-of-these-cars/
Sorry, I forgot to mention that it is at a dealership and it has 117k mikes. I like to buy private party cash, but I got a loan from my bank that is dealer only. My current car is dying (Trans issue) and I think it’s basically in mechanical salvage shape at this point. 2009 Ford Fusion SE 2.3, 173k, P0753 code and the engine and wrench lights are on and the engine shakes every time I put it in gear. I think it’s done… RIP Ford you did me well..🥲
So first off, where do you live?
I agree on Subaru, I like the newer ones, but I would not want one much older than a few years, and I can't afford those.
What I like to do is check reviews of what people that own the car are saying. I switch to lowest ratings and see the what the people that disliked it most are saying. You have to read between the lines a bit, but you can often get a feeling of the quality of the car. The CRV seems to do pretty good, but it has some quality issues, and don't expect the gas mileage to be very good. Rav4 is not known for great gas mileage either.
Rav 4
Both overall score okay, but the crv seemed to have more cheap parts and true hatred from several users. Both show the gas mileage not being great. Keep in mind with the crv, you really want to make sure they have records of transmission fluid changes. Good to have for the Rav4 as well, depending on mileage though, the Rav4 won't be as urgent of an issue. I would try and find a 2011 at least for both CRV and Rav4.
Also to note, if you are trying to do Uber and Lyft, make sure the car is new enough, I think uber at least only accepts cars 15 years old and newer. You don't want to find out you need the car, and it has become too old.
If you are thinking about people hauling, consider something like Camry or Corolla (yes I am biased to Toyota). Camry would be a comfortable, reliable car that is going to get better mpg than either Rav4 or CRV.
You are doing the right thing by asking and doing research. Sadly these days, you can't go on the reputation of a car manufacturer. Even Honda and Toyota have made some models that should be avoided.
Again, where do you live, we may be able to help look around. Also, cargurus is a great website to find deals from dealers.
Thank you! I live in Chicago, 60619. The CR-V I was looking at has the oil consumption issue, at this point I will stray away from looking at those for now. I also found a RAV4 and it had trans issues. I am a big guy and want something a bit bigger, tired of these small cars. Right now in my area 2010 will give me about 3-4 years on Lyft and Uber, so I want to stay with 2010 and better. I actually made a new post today with 3 other options, and will be calling maintenance shops in the morning if time permits to get a better idea of the vehicles' histories. Here is my newer post: https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/should-i-buy-one-of-these-cars/
I found a 2010 RAV4 Limited V6 Canada Made with 136,531 mi. $11,495, dealership. I am somewhat stuck with buying a dealer car at the moment as I do not have cash to purchase and I have a preapproval from my bank for 12k. I would like to get the price down for sure, and it has 2 minor accidents and one accident that was not rated, but the potentially bad accident happened at 55k miles. It appears that most maintenance was at dealerships. I will call the mechanics in the morning. There is currently slim pickings in the Chicago area, and having a hard time finding a good deal. I need a car that will last at least 5 years 50k miles before any major issues.
I also found a 2011 RAV4 Sport I4 / Canada Made with 134,399 mi. $11,500, dealership, with one potentially major accident between 5 and 3700 miles, dealer maintained early, but no maintenance listed on the CARAX from 24k-134k mi.
I also found a 2010 Subaru Forester / Japan Made with 92,849 mi. $10,695, dealership, no accidents, regular maintenance, dealer maintenance in the beginning and end, and Grease Monkey in the middle.
If anyone is feeling super friendly and helpful I live in 60619 and I am looking for a reliable small SUV that will last at least 5 years and 50-60k miles without any major maintenance for less than $12k out the door with a $1000 trade in.
If available, I will pull CARFAX reports and call the most recent mechanics who worked on them to get a feel for the problems, by doing this I found a 2010 CR-V I was looking at to have oil consumption issues, and a 2011 RAV4 to have transmission issues. If I can't find a similar post, I may actually start a Car Buying Hacks thread, and post this in there, and see what others have to offer.
Again, I have been tempted by the newer Subarus, but upon taking a look at the 2010 Forester, apparently they still had plenty of issues.
Considering the people that often buy Suburus are extreme fans, if they wrote this many full on hatred reviews, I would never get one of those. Even a guy who wrote a major list of issues rated it 2.5 stars.