Can anyone help me with car purchase decision (between 2 Toytas)?

Question

I am an a small budget, but want to purchase a reliable vehicle considered quality and lasts a long time, which is why I've chosen Toyota. (Both are Corrolla sedans).

Toyota #1: 2001, very minor dents, no rust, standard,
which I'm willing to learn how to use. Selling price:
just under $8,000, but has 180,000 km (about 120,000
miles.

Toyota #2: 2003, immaculate body (also standard), selling for
just under $15,000 and has only 46,000 km (about
30-31,000 miles). One owner and all dealership
records on anything done to this car (I assume that
this was done for the sake of the warranty).

Now, I love the idea of the mechanical security with the 03 model, but I'll probably really struggle with payment. The other, I can certainly afford, but should I worry about the high km/miles...will this haunt me with breakdowns & bills?

Oh, yes, the prices I've stated here are in Canadian dollars

Thanks for recommendations for other makes/models, but I'd like to focus on Toyota for now...:)

Answer 1

Buy the one you can afford. If it's a Toyota, it's good to go. I have been a AAA tow truck driver for years and Toyota is the least often towed Japanese car. Keep oil in it and be aware of new sounds/leaks from the engine. Do this and you'll get 300k miles out of it for sure. Good luck

Answer 2

You want reliability at a low cost..let's look at it this way...you are saving 7k by buying car #1, mechanical repair bills on cars are typically a couple hundred dollars. Worst case would be a new engine, which will run about 2k (i've done that too). Although there is much to be said about not ending up stranded, forgeting about price for a second.
Toyotas are more expensive than other cars in its class anyways because people are willing to pay for the name (they do have a good track record). Based on your criteria, my advice is to get a different make vehicle that has lower milage. Toyotas are great, but they, like any other car, wont last forever. I owned a ford truck that was absolutely fault free up to 160,000 mi...after a few repairs, I finally bought another ford after it had hit 200,000.

Answer 3

lexus is just an overpriced toyota. not worth it. the Jetta is a fun car, very fast, good mileage, and yeah, it's not cheap to maintain. but they will go 300,000 miles without a sneeze. the mitsubishi lancer.. just a pile of crap from a company teetering on bankruptsy and ready to leave the US. the Altima.. lot of bang for your buck, lots of plastic, but not a lot of durability. after 5 years they tend to start falling apart, literally. the accord.. the new design looks bad. honda screwed that up. I never did like Honda' actually, they are expert marketers and convince people that buy them that that's how a car should be when in reality, it isn't. they have lots of transmission problems and are having issues across the board. and no, you'll never hear about it. what about a toyota camry? you obviously want an import car, that's fine. the camry is a solid choice.

Answer 4

The logic in used cars ,is there is no logic,but as we all should be investing wisely,the later model,sounds like a better buy for the long term . Though I feel the cost is high because of the manuel transmission, and clutch replacement,you may also talked to Toyota and be able to buy an extented Warrenity. "good luck"

Answer 5

Both choices aare good...
but I'd prefer the '03 model! Yah,if you go 4 the '01,you might be facing some problems..You know you have to spend money for somethings isnt it? SO,Go for the #2! Good Luck!

Answer 6

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geur_F7XtFkhUAJk2l87UF?ei=UTF-8&fr=sfp&p=Toyota+Corrolla+Canada

Don't buy either one; not good deals.
Check out websites.
You CAN get a NEW one.
You can do it.
You deserve a carefree 100's k miles driving.
GO FOR IT; GOOD HUNTING.
BE AGRESSSIVE; DEMAND a GREAT PRICE & LOW PAYMENT.

Answer 7

in my opinion neither car is not a very good buy.
but if you know nothing about cars you need a professional for a look at your choices and look more before you become a statistic.

Answer 8

i would go with leasing a car .its cheaper and u could trade it in 3 or 4 years.

Answer 9

I wud go with the new 2007Elantra from Hyundai(STARTING 13K),which is much better than a corolla(2L engine against 1.8L of corolla). go to their website or ur nearest showroom to believe what im saying.
dont let trends come in way of ur wisdom.
learn to grab the most from life !
rest is ur decision.