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Used Vehicles Best Values

969 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2010 at 5:00 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Values, Certified Used (CPO)

Messages Page 97 of 97

#959 of 969 Re: Used converitble under $8k [igozoomzoom] by plekto

Oct 24, 2010 (10:42 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Oct 24, 2010 3:59 am)
The Solara is also a good choice if the Celica is too small.
 
Basically it's a Camry and a Corolla - Convertible. And as reliable as a normal Toyota. Oh, FYI - my last Toyota I finally sold a few weeks ago with 375K on it. And it still ran just fine. Anything else will just simply cost you a LOT more to fix and maintain.
 
The MR2 also qualifies, but it's dangerously small and underpowered, IMO. The MX5 also has this problem - I just can't physically fit in the seats and it's asking to get punked in a crash. Yes, it's a blast to drive, but tiny is no good these days, especially when slightly larger convertibles and roadsters work almost as well but might save your life in a crash.
 
Note - if you had 10-12K, I'd recommend a 1996 Corvette. It's a world better than most of the competition and is a serious deal for the money. The LT1 engine is about as bulletproof as it gets and repairs are pretty reasonable as long as the car isn't used up and worn out.(note - most are - shop carefully)
 
Why get this specific year? It's the last year of the fourth generation run and isn't as flashy as the new models. It's a good "sleeper" option and is under-appreciated. The replacement model didn't have a convertible option until 1998, and it's still 15K for a good example.
 
http://www.kenora.net/kenoracorvettes/1996convert.jpg
 
Not too bad looking, actually. Even better in black.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=282131262
A typical private party example.
 
http://www.corvettephotographs.com/article_why_c4_great_buy.html
Don't take my word on it, either. This is a solid choice and has a soon to be "classic" look as the new models keep getting more and more like a giant jellybean.

#960 of 969 Re: Used converitble under $8k [neomacro] by neomacro

Oct 26, 2010 (2:58 pm)

Replying to: neomacro (Oct 23, 2010 10:19 pm)
I checked some reviews and consumerreports reviews and the Toyota convertibles came up pretty high in the ranks with Solora and Celica in mid range of ranks and followed shortly by Mitsubishi with Eclipse rated as best car for Mitsubishi.
 
However, when I checked online and craigs for sale, the only Solora or Celica convertibles close to 8k with less than 80k miles were 95-99 models. Anything that was 2000+ had either 95k+ miles or had accidents on its carfax. Eclipses on the other hand were ranged 6.7-8k for 2000+ models with less than 75k miles. I do need a FWD for the snow and do not want to buy a seperate winter car. Hence the focus on these cars. Have found hardly any other FWD convertible in this area.
 
I do want to buy the Toyota due to the good reviews for its dependablity, but the extra 2.5-3k is confusing me a bit since the Eclipse doesnt seem to have bad reviews by itself and even had good reviews in some places. Hopefully, some research or a good car selling in my area will resolve this.

#961 of 969 Re: Used converitble under $8k [neomacro] by oldfarmer50

Oct 28, 2010 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: neomacro (Oct 26, 2010 2:58 pm)
"...but the extra 2.5-3K is confusing me..."
 
Used Toyotas and Hondas go for way too much in my opinion. Look up reviews of the Eclipse on Motor Trend's website. They reviewed the latest generation in a long term test and had ZERO problems after 40K miles and the car was faster and handled better at the end than when new. Toyotas may or may not be better cars but you're going to pay plenty for the PERCEPTION that they are.
 
As for all the Sebring bashing going on, I owned the sedan version of that car which I bought used and got well over 100K miles with minimal repairs before I sold it.
 
Have a mechanic check any car you plan on buying and then make your own decision based on the cost-benefit TO YOU.

#962 of 969 Re: Used converitble under $8k [oldfarmer50] by steine13

Oct 28, 2010 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Oct 28, 2010 4:09 pm)
As for all the Sebring bashing going on, I owned the sedan version of that car which I bought used and got well over 100K miles with minimal repairs before I sold it.
 
The sticky wicket here is that the "Sebring" sedan was, at least at one time, a thinly disguised Mitsubishi, and the "Sebring" convertible was a Stratus with a softtop. A totally different car, totally a Chrysler, and not very good.
 
Maybe that's no longer true for the more recent ones, but that's what I remember from ~ 10 years ago.
 
FWIW, the Solara ragtop is waaay too flexy according to the reviews I've read. Plus the Solara sedan it's based on is one of the boringest cars out there .. but at the same time a great road trip car because it's solid and quiet... my guess is you're giving up the coupe's main strengths to get the convertible.
 
The Eclipse is starting to sound better all the time.
 
Cheers -Mathias

#963 of 969 Re: Used converitble under $8k [neomacro] by plekto

Oct 29, 2010 (1:46 am)

Replying to: neomacro (Oct 26, 2010 2:58 pm)
However, when I checked online and craigs for sale, the only Solora or Celica convertibles close to 8k with less than 80k miles were 95-99 models.
 
This is *exactly* the model that you want to be looking at - the 98-99 ones. They stopped making convertible Celicas after that and the Solara is basically a convertible sedan(nothing special)
 
Though, I'd still save a bit more and get the 96 Corvette(last year of that style). The LT1 engine is really close to bulletproof and yes, purists go on about how they hate the automatics, but it's really easy to find a mint condition one with Automatic for a very reasonable price. 300+HP and automatic is still a shockingly fast ride.

#964 of 969 Re: Used converitble under $8k [steine13] by oldfarmer50

Oct 29, 2010 (9:38 am)

Replying to: steine13 (Oct 28, 2010 4:34 pm)
"...Sebring sedan was...a thinly disguised Mitsubishi..."
 
Well, not really. The sedan and the convertible were built off either the Chrysler JA or JR platform (depending on year) while the coupe was based on the Mitsu Eclipse. To confuse things more the sedan/convertible used either a Mitsu or Chrysler engine. My '97 sedan had the Mitsu 2.5L engine which was the smoothest running motor I'd ever had. It took my son driving it 10 miles with no oil to destroy it. The rest of the car was above average as well.
 
Strangly enough, a Toyota I owned was the worst car I ever had. That's why I suggested to the OP to have a mechanic check over any car he considers. To me a domestic car like the Chrysler would be worth it if cost was my main criteria. That's what I perceived his question to be. He might also consider the Eclipse and get a combination of Japanese quality with steeper depreciation than the Toyota.
 
As always, you get what you pay for.

#965 of 969 Is Merc E350 is a good option for used car by kaushik91

Nov 26, 2010 (10:56 pm)

I am also in the market for a mid level luxury car to replace my 1996 Infinity I30. I had bought this used car from a private seller and the car performed like a champ with no issues. Even today with 150K miles the car runs great. I am a person who prefers to buy used rather than a new car....just because I think that provides you with a better deal.
  
So here is my dilemma...when I look for used car, with my search criteria there are 150+ E350 (2008/2009) available in the market compared to < 50 for Infinity M35 (2008/2009). It seems to me that people usually lease German cars where as they buy Japanese cars.....is that because of reliability issues....which leads to cost of ownership? So far as design is concerned, I definitely like the styling of E350 better than M35.....though I really like the styling of M37.....but then it becomes a new car. I would like to know the opinion of other E350 owners regarding the reliability of the car? Are there frequent issues that costs a lot to fix? Also is there a peace of mind buying a CPO E350.... The deals that I have are....2008 E350 26k miles (CPO) with prem Pkg 1 for 34k + T&T,......same car without CPO costs 30K...... Thanks for the help Kaushik

#966 of 969 Re: Is Merc E350 is a good option for used car [kaushik91] by plekto

Nov 28, 2010 (12:23 am)

Replying to: kaushik91 (Nov 26, 2010 10:56 pm)
The new Mercedes are very nice. But I've driven both and the Infiniti M is almost S Class in quality. Of course, it also drives like a big luxo-barge.
 
The car that impressed me the most for the (extremely small amount of) money was the new LaCrosse.
 
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=c&car_id=286953224
1 year old, certified, and the top model with everything on it. Domestics are also much better than they used to be, and the money you save can basically pay for a lifetime of repairs before you even get to the price of a used German vehicle. And have you priced a repair on a Mercedes?

#967 of 969 Re: Is Merc E350 is a good option for used car [kaushik91] by qbrozen

Nov 29, 2010 (5:00 am)

Replying to: kaushik91 (Nov 26, 2010 10:56 pm)
That's asking price on the E, right? Cause you should be able to get that CPO for $30-31k. Trade-in value is only $24,500-$25k.
 
A comparable '08 M35 is worth very similar money. However, I'm willing to bet you could get a CPO Infiniti for less than a CPO Benz. This is directly related to the extended warranty cost the dealer pays when certifying a car. Although I don't KNOW, I have a FEELING the warranty on the Infiniti is far less.

Messages Page 97 of 97

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