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Hmmm... $4450 ...OOOOOOw what a feeling
Looking for a Used Car
- Thread starter The Critic
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Originally Posted By: The Critic
I'm looking for Sonatas right now. I'm seeing quite a few 07s with the 4-cyl that I could get for about $11k. I'm also seeing some 06s with the V6 for about the same price.
Are these worth a look?
Mike, take a look at the Hyundai forums; although they have come a LONG way, it seems they still have a long way to go before I'd buy one. Drive trains, especially the 4 banger, seem to be solid (timing chain tensioner issues in the V-6), but owners report a fair number of little nick nack "adjustment" things that need to be done. And the majority of people on the forums report their Hyundai dealers to be, well, not good. I'd take a Malibu over the Sonata.
I'm looking for Sonatas right now. I'm seeing quite a few 07s with the 4-cyl that I could get for about $11k. I'm also seeing some 06s with the V6 for about the same price.
Are these worth a look?
Mike, take a look at the Hyundai forums; although they have come a LONG way, it seems they still have a long way to go before I'd buy one. Drive trains, especially the 4 banger, seem to be solid (timing chain tensioner issues in the V-6), but owners report a fair number of little nick nack "adjustment" things that need to be done. And the majority of people on the forums report their Hyundai dealers to be, well, not good. I'd take a Malibu over the Sonata.
Back in June, I bought a 07 Malibu with 28,000 miles on it for $12k for my college age daughter. We have had no issues with it. She averages 32mpg and oil changes are super easy; especially changing the filter (canister). Best of all, my daughter is happy with it. Merry Christmas everybody!
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Mike, take a look at the Hyundai forums; although they have come a LONG way, it seems they still have a long way to go before I'd buy one. Drive trains, especially the 4 banger, seem to be solid (timing chain tensioner issues in the V-6), but owners report a fair number of little nick nack "adjustment" things that need to be done. And the majority of people on the forums report their Hyundai dealers to be, well, not good. I'd take a Malibu over the Sonata.
Hmm. Tough call, I guess...though the Hyundai will be under warranty from bumper to bumper, whereas the Malibu will only have a powertrain warranty.
Also, in case someone brings up the valve adjustment issue in the V6 Hyundai, I talked to a Hyundai tech and here's what he says:
Quote:
The good news is when I went to Sonata new model training (May-05) Hyundai told us we didnt need to adjust them unless a camshaft,lifter,valve spring or valve was being replaced or someone not changing the oil and sludge builds up causing gouges in the disc.It says in the maintenance book that it needs to be inspected every 60k but they told me that if its not making any unusual noises then dont bother taking the valve covers off and checking.Theres a customer at work that has a 06 Sonata with 140k on the 3.3L engine and it never made any unusual valvetrain noises or have any valvetrain problems.
Mike, take a look at the Hyundai forums; although they have come a LONG way, it seems they still have a long way to go before I'd buy one. Drive trains, especially the 4 banger, seem to be solid (timing chain tensioner issues in the V-6), but owners report a fair number of little nick nack "adjustment" things that need to be done. And the majority of people on the forums report their Hyundai dealers to be, well, not good. I'd take a Malibu over the Sonata.
Hmm. Tough call, I guess...though the Hyundai will be under warranty from bumper to bumper, whereas the Malibu will only have a powertrain warranty.
Also, in case someone brings up the valve adjustment issue in the V6 Hyundai, I talked to a Hyundai tech and here's what he says:
Quote:
The good news is when I went to Sonata new model training (May-05) Hyundai told us we didnt need to adjust them unless a camshaft,lifter,valve spring or valve was being replaced or someone not changing the oil and sludge builds up causing gouges in the disc.It says in the maintenance book that it needs to be inspected every 60k but they told me that if its not making any unusual noises then dont bother taking the valve covers off and checking.Theres a customer at work that has a 06 Sonata with 140k on the 3.3L engine and it never made any unusual valvetrain noises or have any valvetrain problems.
I just found a 04 Accord LX w/59k that's an off-lease unit. Guy wants 12500.
You would buy a car with 30,000 miles more, 3 years older for a $1500 more. What Planet did I land on?
The deal is as follows:
10,999 + tax for the vehicle (2007 Chevy Malibu LT 2.2, 27k miles, GM certified pre-owned), free gap insurance, GMAC financing for 60 months @ 5.9%.
Is this a good deal?
10,999 + tax for the vehicle (2007 Chevy Malibu LT 2.2, 27k miles, GM certified pre-owned), free gap insurance, GMAC financing for 60 months @ 5.9%.
Is this a good deal?
Originally Posted By: alanu
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that.
that's not a problem for the critic because he knows everything there is to know about abutment points and such. right?
anyway i'd go for a newer corolla or camry, just my 2 cents
Malibu's eat brakes so just be aware of that.
that's not a problem for the critic because he knows everything there is to know about abutment points and such. right?
anyway i'd go for a newer corolla or camry, just my 2 cents
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Originally Posted By: Aldaris
anyway i'd go for a newer corolla or camry, just my 2 cents
And that's exactly what she did!
She ended up purchasing a silver 2006 Corolla LE Auto from Hertz. The vehicle has a little under 27,000 miles on it and was in use as a rental vehicle for just over a year. (Original in-service date was 7/12/06)
Price was $11,695 after a $300 AAA discount, which is $550 below KBB's private party value for "FAIR condition" in the Silicon Valley, CA, area.
The vehicle has all maintenance records, and I'll probably take a closer look at it before she picks it up to ensure that there's no sludge, excessive tire wear, or excessive brake wear (Probably get a free brake inspection from Pep Boys). It shouldn't be too bad since it was mostly highway miles.
I suggested that she pick up a Toyota Extra Care Platinum $0 deductible, 7-yr/100,000 mile extended warranty from Bernardi's for $795.00 so the car will be under warranty the entire time that she owns it. My friend's 03 Corolla just needed a $700 radiator job at 80,000 miles last week (yes, coolant was changed with OE fluid at 30 and 60k) and the Toyota plan picked up the cost.
Here's a link to the car: Link
Thanks again everyone for their help! Any tips on vehicle inspection prior to driving off the lot are greatly appreciated.
anyway i'd go for a newer corolla or camry, just my 2 cents
And that's exactly what she did!
She ended up purchasing a silver 2006 Corolla LE Auto from Hertz. The vehicle has a little under 27,000 miles on it and was in use as a rental vehicle for just over a year. (Original in-service date was 7/12/06)
Price was $11,695 after a $300 AAA discount, which is $550 below KBB's private party value for "FAIR condition" in the Silicon Valley, CA, area.
The vehicle has all maintenance records, and I'll probably take a closer look at it before she picks it up to ensure that there's no sludge, excessive tire wear, or excessive brake wear (Probably get a free brake inspection from Pep Boys). It shouldn't be too bad since it was mostly highway miles.
I suggested that she pick up a Toyota Extra Care Platinum $0 deductible, 7-yr/100,000 mile extended warranty from Bernardi's for $795.00 so the car will be under warranty the entire time that she owns it. My friend's 03 Corolla just needed a $700 radiator job at 80,000 miles last week (yes, coolant was changed with OE fluid at 30 and 60k) and the Toyota plan picked up the cost.
Here's a link to the car: Link
Thanks again everyone for their help! Any tips on vehicle inspection prior to driving off the lot are greatly appreciated.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I just found a 04 Accord LX w/59k that's an off-lease unit. Guy wants 12500.
Tell that guy you will give him 1/2 of that.
Sorry, but a run of the mill car like that with 59K miles is worth nowhere near $12,500. Maybe if it was completely loaded, but isn't the LX only one step above the DX (or whatever they call their bare bones cars these days)?
I just found a 04 Accord LX w/59k that's an off-lease unit. Guy wants 12500.
Tell that guy you will give him 1/2 of that.
Sorry, but a run of the mill car like that with 59K miles is worth nowhere near $12,500. Maybe if it was completely loaded, but isn't the LX only one step above the DX (or whatever they call their bare bones cars these days)?
Originally Posted By: The Critic
(Probably get a free brake inspection from Pep Boys).
A free brake inspection from Pep Boys will probably go something like "honey baby, we just can't let you drive this car home in this condition...these brakes could just up and quit at any time."
(Probably get a free brake inspection from Pep Boys).
A free brake inspection from Pep Boys will probably go something like "honey baby, we just can't let you drive this car home in this condition...these brakes could just up and quit at any time."
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I just found a 04 Accord LX w/59k that's an off-lease unit. Guy wants 12500.
Tell that guy you will give him 1/2 of that.
Sorry, but a run of the mill car like that with 59K miles is worth nowhere near $12,500. Maybe if it was completely loaded, but isn't the LX only one step above the DX (or whatever they call their bare bones cars these days)?
Yeah, the asking prices for those cars are ridiculous. Those guys all think their cars are worth KBB "EXCELLENT." Give me a break.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I just found a 04 Accord LX w/59k that's an off-lease unit. Guy wants 12500.
Tell that guy you will give him 1/2 of that.
Sorry, but a run of the mill car like that with 59K miles is worth nowhere near $12,500. Maybe if it was completely loaded, but isn't the LX only one step above the DX (or whatever they call their bare bones cars these days)?
Yeah, the asking prices for those cars are ridiculous. Those guys all think their cars are worth KBB "EXCELLENT." Give me a break.
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: The Critic
(Probably get a free brake inspection from Pep Boys).
A free brake inspection from Pep Boys will probably go something like "honey baby, we just can't let you drive this car home in this condition...these brakes could just up and quit at any time."
Which is why I'll take it there.
No one can rip Mr. Critic off, just ask buster.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
(Probably get a free brake inspection from Pep Boys).
A free brake inspection from Pep Boys will probably go something like "honey baby, we just can't let you drive this car home in this condition...these brakes could just up and quit at any time."
Which is why I'll take it there.
No one can rip Mr. Critic off, just ask buster.
Toyota and Honda are good choice new but they kept their value too well for used purchased.
$12k for a used corolla with 27k miles are pretty high, I got mine $13k new 10 years ago, and a friend got a new one 2 years ago for $14k new.
$12k for a used corolla with 27k miles are pretty high, I got mine $13k new 10 years ago, and a friend got a new one 2 years ago for $14k new.
Hello Critic, you mentioned something about this car being from Hertz and coming with maintenance records and such. My Prizm was a rental with one year of service and about the same mileage was acquired, that being 25000. I have often wondered how many times the oil was changed on my Prizm during her tenure as a rental. If you could so kindly inform us of the records you obtained I can make a general hypothesis as the service my champagne beauty recieved during her first year of life. Thanks!
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Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Hello Critic, you mentioned something about this car being from Hertz and coming with maintenance records and such. My Prizm was a rental with one year of service and about the same mileage was acquired, that being 25000. I have often wondered how many times the oil was changed on my Prizm during her tenure as a rental. If you could so kindly inform us of the records you obtained I can make a general hypothesis as the service my champagne beauty recieved during her first year of life. Thanks!
Going from memory, it was changed at 5300, 10600, 15600, 20000, 25000, 25600 and according to the shop manager today, it was also changed at 26700. Not sure why it was truly changed three times within such a short period of time, but when I picked up the car it had about 27500 miles and the oil was a medium yellow on the stick.
Car had the original engine and cabin air filters, tires were never rotated (and overinflated to the point where the center patch was wearing 2x faster than the sides) and the brakes were never inspected. After A LOT of negotiating, I convinced them to replace the two front tires with new OEM tires, replace the cabin and engine air filters with Toyota OE parts, give me a new set of generic floor mats and give me a full tank of gas.
I'll do a complete write-up soon on the entire buying experience when I have more time.
Hello Critic, you mentioned something about this car being from Hertz and coming with maintenance records and such. My Prizm was a rental with one year of service and about the same mileage was acquired, that being 25000. I have often wondered how many times the oil was changed on my Prizm during her tenure as a rental. If you could so kindly inform us of the records you obtained I can make a general hypothesis as the service my champagne beauty recieved during her first year of life. Thanks!
Going from memory, it was changed at 5300, 10600, 15600, 20000, 25000, 25600 and according to the shop manager today, it was also changed at 26700. Not sure why it was truly changed three times within such a short period of time, but when I picked up the car it had about 27500 miles and the oil was a medium yellow on the stick.
Car had the original engine and cabin air filters, tires were never rotated (and overinflated to the point where the center patch was wearing 2x faster than the sides) and the brakes were never inspected. After A LOT of negotiating, I convinced them to replace the two front tires with new OEM tires, replace the cabin and engine air filters with Toyota OE parts, give me a new set of generic floor mats and give me a full tank of gas.
I'll do a complete write-up soon on the entire buying experience when I have more time.
Good Show! I have never thought of negotiating for a tank of gas or floor mats! Prosit!
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Hello Critic, you mentioned something about this car being from Hertz and coming with maintenance records and such. My Prizm was a rental with one year of service and about the same mileage was acquired, that being 25000. I have often wondered how many times the oil was changed on my Prizm during her tenure as a rental. If you could so kindly inform us of the records you obtained I can make a general hypothesis as the service my champagne beauty recieved during her first year of life. Thanks!
My gf's car was an ex-rental, then drove around as part of some government fleet 'til 100k as far as I can tell from carfax. Came with no service records, she bought it without even checking the oil (!), and it still runs just fine. Doesn't burn anything between 5k changes. Your mileage may very.
Hello Critic, you mentioned something about this car being from Hertz and coming with maintenance records and such. My Prizm was a rental with one year of service and about the same mileage was acquired, that being 25000. I have often wondered how many times the oil was changed on my Prizm during her tenure as a rental. If you could so kindly inform us of the records you obtained I can make a general hypothesis as the service my champagne beauty recieved during her first year of life. Thanks!
My gf's car was an ex-rental, then drove around as part of some government fleet 'til 100k as far as I can tell from carfax. Came with no service records, she bought it without even checking the oil (!), and it still runs just fine. Doesn't burn anything between 5k changes. Your mileage may very.
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