QuestionAnother quick question? I saw one 2004 Toyota Corolla LE (58K miles) with sun roof listed at retail price of 13990 but e-price of 9990 with a small time dealer here in Baltimore, MD. How reliable is getting car from small time dealer? The deal sounds too good as KBB private party value is coming to 9500. will you recommend if the car title history is clean (from carfax)? Please advise. Thanks!!!
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Thanks for your prompt reply. I live in Sterling, VA (Zip - 20164) and am looking to have Camry/Corolla or a Mazda. My guess is that Japanese car go easily upto 150-200 K miles. They are reliable and comes with less maintennace cost. Still will like to hear from you my options with this budget and if i can go for something which is cheaper with more miles on it. I think i can go for upto 60-65 K miles on Toyota/Honda and Mazda. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!!!
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Please provide me with your recommendation on buying used Mazda cars, and if you recommend, which 4 door sedan model will you recommend in Mazda? Thanks!!!
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I'd love to help but, well your question is very broad, I would like to know a price range (or atleast a mileage & model year range)? As for the Mazda's it really depends on the model and year (and price range) because some are really good cars and some are average (mazda rx8 is a good car, but harder/costly, not by much, to maintain b/c of the rotary engine...and they are expensive... Mazda 6 is a great car but fairly new so I dont know if you can afford that??? you see my point)... So give me a price range, I can tell you all about the best mazda in that range, and similar options from other manufactures. Get back to me, Thanks!
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Well with that range of miles, it all depends on what size car (compact, midsized, large?) and what one you like most (and get the best deal on)... (also look at fords new fusion and 500... not AS well built but domestics are cheaper to repair, and are getting better in quality). Compact: Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla... Midsized: Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry... Large: well none of those companies make a large class car... but as for the aformentioned vehicles.. any and all of them are great cars.. the honda/toyota may be a tiny bit more reliable/better build quality... but it is a tiny tiny tiny bit... such that the cheaper mazda models would be more appealing.. everyone knows honda's and toyota's are very reliable and that keeps resale high.. mazda's really got its game on these day though (but its not as widely known) so the price differences can be used to your advantage... I really like the mazda 6, its sporty looking, well built, and usually cheaper than a similarly old/miles/equipt/year civic/corolla... I would have to give the corolla/camry my highest reliability rating (toyota has really got its stuff in order) but they are less attractive/sporty than a civic/accord (and as you go down in years, the older honda's seem to be better than older toyota's.. only recently is toyota surpassing honda.. last 5 years or so... beyond that honda was/is king of reliable) the mazda is cheaper, really close to as reliable as the others and better looking in my opinion... But as I said, they are all great cars, and when properly cared for should get up to 200+k with only minor problems (as any car will have)... So depending on the size car you want.. check out each brand, see what kind of deals you can get (for example: 50,000 miles on a mazda6 or 65,000 miles on a civic for the same price.. unless you just love the civic - the mazda would be a better deal).. keep in mind if you plan on selling the car anytime soon the honda/toyota will hold its resale value longer/higher (but will cost you more now also..).... I think thats about everything... (PS. usually, and i stress USUALLY.. newer with higher miles is better than older with lower miles, but it really depends on just how many miles difference there is.) - Good luck and you are definitely on your way to a very reliable well built car!
AnswerThat price does seem very low for a dealer, I'd make sure to have them agree to let a mechanic check it out before purchase, or atleast get a warranty.. Small dealerships are both good and bad.. usually you can get better deals, but at the same time, they are very risky (if something goes bad they have less incentive to be kind and fix the problem, usually you are on your own after a small dealer purchase). If the carfax is clean, and a mechanic (not the dealers, one you choose) gives it a go, I see nothing wrong with it. Its just as risky as any other car... but if they wont give you a warranty, or wont let your mechanic check it out.. they are probably hiding something....
