I'm a senior in college and I'm looking for a job after I graduate this spring. I'm tired of taking Uber rides to go to interviews, or bus rides for grocery shopping. I want to keep the car for six months or a year, before getting a more reliable car with automatic transmission. I commute by public transport, and I'll use the car only to shop, go to interviews and networking events, run errands and maybe go out on weekends. I won't put a lot of miles on it. So, I'm in the market for a used car for about $3,000, cash. I came across this stick shift 2004 Toyota Corolla with 150k miles asking for $4,000 on Craigslist. Its very good condition KBB value is $3,800. Negotiated with the owner over the phone and knocked down the price to $3,500. It has had two or three owners. The owner says it's in very good condition. It's an S trim and has ABS, cruise control and power windows. He's selling it to move to another state. The body and interior looks very clean. No accidents, & clean title according to the owner. One of the wheel hubcaps is missing. Catalytic converter was replaced a year ago. The engine compartment looks a little dirty. I live in a hilly city which might be an issue for the manual transmission. Clean private party value on Edmunds is $3,000.
Another option on Craigslist is a 2005 Honda Civic 192k miles with auto transmission asking for $3,700 which later came down to $3,350. Two owners. Current owner has had it for ten years. The body and interior looks rather clean. Engine compartment kind of dirty. KBB good condition value is $2,400. It has a bent hood hinge. The brakes, gasket, seat belt tensioner has been replaced and oil and filter has been changed a week ago. Emunds clean private party value is $2,500.
TL;DR: Stick shift 2004 Toyota Corolla with 150k miles for $3,500 vs. Automatic 2005 Honda Civic with 192k miles for $3,350 vs. public transport + Uber and waiting for a few months to get a better car?
Any ideas?
February 26, 2017 at 03:14AM
