Car Shopping Update
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The last update I posted was the end of January. At that time I was fed up, tired, and "out" of shopping for a 2016-2018 Scion/Corolla iM.
Like so often happens, it's not gone to plan. I got to thinkin' about the chances of prices adjusting in any significant way and how long that could take. At the same time my current car is on its last legs.
The week before last I drove a 2017 with 50K. Passed on it. It was a HAAAARD 50K and the blue was too blue. But, the sales manager told me there was a white one coming next week with 30K. I expressed much interest and asked the sales person to please keep me in the loop.
I waited patiently all week with no word. Friday it was posted to the dealership site and I texted the sales person to let them know when I was available to come and see it.
"Sorry Relic, I was off yesterday so I didn't get any updates. This one has been sold already, I should have let you know earlier"
"This one has been sold already", or "I sold this one already". And yes, you should have let me know earlier. So while I was at the back door, there was someone else already in the door. I'm not into sexual favors.
I then spoke with the manager to confirm there wasn't a mix up. No mix up, "That one sold before it was off the truck." He then proceeded to cast blame on me for passing on the beat up blue one. "You know...the market really doesn't have room for passing due to color". I said, "Pardon". "Yeah, they sell so fast.", he said. Well I lose it. SNAP. I'm as mad as a cut snake on hot pavement. I fake him with a coolant cap and catch him on the up with a dip stick. A quick left to his free coffee and donut hole and he's out like a new car taillight bulb. And that, is why they call me The Champ.
I've been shopping since October 2021. It was that minute I decided to buy new. How did I go from shopping $8000 iQs to brand new Corollas? How does this happen? When the world has gone stupid, sometimes it's easier to just let the stupid wash over you.
Yesterday I rang my boy Andy at another dealership and went to chat. Learned they received a 2019 with a $5000 claim history the day before. Asking $200 less than new. You gotta be kidding me. Took a 2022 XSE out and loved it. So mush more grown up than the 2018 and prior. Better fuel economy, more power, quieter, better ride. Just nicer. Significantly cheaper than the Mazda3. Asking MSRP. The only downside is the 4-6 month wait after ordering.
So, this week I'll be thinking trim level. Pretty sure about dark blue.
Before you ask, they'll get 2 GRs, and they will go to preferred customers. $45-55-ish.
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@Relic With the used market this stupid, it really does make sense to buy new. Keep it long term, pay it off, maintain it well, and drive into the friggin' ground!
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@Shop-Teacher Yep. Plan to keep it forever but if I didn't I could drive it a year or two and sell it for what I bought it for. I can't think of a downside.
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@Relic One of my kids bought a 2019 Corolla hatch with the manual trans. It's been a good car for him.
If you want a stick, hurry, I read somewhere that Toyota is killing the manual. -
@Relic With prices being about the same, with Toyotas always selling basically at invoice, and with better finance rates for new than used, there really are no good reasons to go used (from financial perspective) if you’re looking at a slightly used car. It’s probably the car I’d be buying if I was in the market for a vehicle in that class. Congrats!
2019 FIAT Abarth 500 | 2000 Toyota Tundra V8 AC | 2021 TREK Roscoe 6
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@drVanTraveler Haven't heard that. I'm not looking for a manual, but I did notice they hang around for weeks or a month instead of just days. If an auto is $22K, a manual in the same condition is $18K. Big savings.
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@MUSASHI66 Out of curiosity I compared 2022 Si prices to 2020 Si's on Autotrader.
I was surprised to see 2022 Civic Si's for sale at MSRP within 200 miles of home. Almost all the 2020 Si's were going for more than they originally cost and more than new MSRP. Most were over $30K
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@RacinBob It’s pretty insane. Toyota and Honda seem to still be selling many cars at msrp and they were always close to it, so those are the only brands I’d buy today.
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@Relic Hey Champ, I heard you were looking for a hatchback 'cause you like to load up the rear.
