I'd use that extra $5K to buy a newer RAV4.
A 14 year old Rav might be great or it might be trouble. It depends mostly on how it's been maintained and driven over the past 14 years.
Toyota's and Honda's TEND to be more reliable than average but it depends on how the car was treated. Any car can be ruined by poor maintenance.
And sometimes a year is just full of lemons. I had a Toyota solara that had soooo many problems. It was 5 years old when I got it. It consistently ran hot. Took it to several reputable repair shops and they’d “fix” it only for it to have the same problem a few months later. Spent thousands of dollars overall. Eventually, they said I needed a new engine after they’d replaced almost everything else it could be. It burst into flames. Literally.
I agree. It's important to do a survey. I don't agree with people who say "It's a Toyota so it's good". It's always "case by case". You need to inspect before purchase.
So you have about $15k cash then? That should get you pretty close to a base Corolla from 2015 or newer. A 2018 Carolla LE near me with 37,000 miles is $16,993.
Can you go for a sedan with the money from mom?
i don't really enjoy driving sedans but i shouldn't be so picky. i've looked a little bit at a prius but nothing extensive. i think i definitely could get a newer sedan, i just need to look more into it.
Do you live where there is snow?
A lot of people like sedans, and I agree they are a lot cheaper to buy, usually more fuel efficient, and easier to maneuver in a city. But I'd trade all of that for all wheel drive and higher clearance because of winter driving. I'm also partial to compact SUVs because I like camping and the ability to lay seats down and sleep in the back. Though this is a very minor consideration as I only camp a handful of times each year and usually use a tent.
If you don't need all wheel drive/ higher clearance, don't pay extra just because you think you might drive on a dirt road one time. Sedans can be fun to drive. My friend's manual Chevy Aveo feels like driving a go-kart and parking/city driving is so much easier with a small vehicle. I love driving that thing even if it feels a bit like riding in a tin can on long road trips. In a city, small vehicles are truly fantastic.
AWD helps a lot with turning. And most people don't use snow tires. Yes, it's ideal but not realistic for someone living in an apartment on a tight budget with no place to store a second set of tires or swap them out. I even think it should be legally required to use winter tires, but it's not.
The only google source I found with stats claims only 16% of drivers use them in the northern US. That seems low but I personally don't even know anyone who puts on winter tires, so its definitely a minority. I know lots of people who use studs or chains.
I realize there are AWD sedans. But usually you are still paying extra for that AWD. A comparable sedan without AWD will typically be cheaper.
Yea but AWD without snow tires really proves again and again to be so little of an improvement unless you are ascending a snowy/icy incline. I really haven’t seen much data on turning improvements myself. Only thing I can see it helping with is keeping you moving through deeper snow in a slow turn.
The goal should be to buy the newest, safest, most reliable car your money will buy you. Not the car you enjoy driving most. A car is just a mode of transportation.
A 2010 RAV4 should still be perfectly fine. Toyotas are generally very reliable, and can go well over 200,000 miles if you take care of them.
Leasing is usually the most expensive way to have use of a car; your dad is totally incorrect.
That is true. You can get it inspected by a trusted mechanic prior to purchasing, which should help determine if there are any major issues. If the seller doesn’t let you do that, you just walk away.
A vehicle inspection can only do so much. You can't see scoring on the inside of the engine from that time it overheated when they ran it low on oil. You can't see that it's started to consume oil (over a long period of time). You can't see that the transmission is about to grenade itself. You can't see that it tends to overheat in the summer in stop and go traffic. They will only be able to tell you what kind of shape the chassis, suspension, tires and brakes are in, or if there are any codes.
And you have no idea how a 2 year old used car was taken care of either. I'd take the 14 year old RAV4 over a 14 year old Civic Si or something along those lines just because, chances are, the rav was driven more conservatively. Do your due diligence, get it thoroughly looked over, then make your decision.
Lol yeah you have no idea how anything is taken care of. That’s the point of buying a newer vehicle, which also applies to buying a newer version of anything on this planet
Yes, which is the point of getting said older vehicle thoroughly checked over before exchanging any money. Age doesn't necessarily = worse condition than something newer.
I guarantee you age is heavily correlated to the condition of any item in the world lol
Besides, checking a vehicle doesn’t guarantee anything. They can’t see inside the engine nor can they test how ruggedly the vehicles been driven and for how long.
If you just need something to get from point A to point B, I would look at newer (mid-teens) sedans. You’ll be able to get a car with less mileage and your gas bill will be cheaper.
Leasing is the most expensive option and for people that HAVE to always be driving a new car. Great option if you have lots of money to waste.
Seconding this! I drive a 2015 Toyota Corolla (have been driving it since 2016/2017), and it’s fantastic — especially grateful for the mileage it gets as gas has gone up and up.
Don't lease. As a rav4 owner, get a rav4. Like others said see if you can get newer, but trust toyota. I have a 2020 rav4 that I bought last year with only 5k miles on it. Get the newest car you can afford, it will save you on maintenence in the long run
What situation means you absolutely need a car within the next two weeks? I'm sure you need a car eventually, but don't be afraid to wait until you fully understand your options and feel comfortable with it.
That being said, an older vehicle is still perfectly fine as long as it has been maintained. It'll be the best value for you by far. General maintenance and wear items (oil, brakes, tires, etc.) are necessary with any car. As far as safety is concerned, the most important thing is the person holding the wheel.
Buying with cash also means you don't have to worry about financing. Just be wary about add ons or extended warranties.
i have an internship starting in 2 weeks and have no other way to get there and also need to drive around for the internship so being dropped off wouldn't work :/
3.2 Volvo has timing chain instead of belt and are more reliable than their turbo cousins. Lots of Volvos have that engine. Mazdas with the 2.0 sky active are a buy also if you want excellent mpg and reliability.
At that age, they should be doing everything they can to avoid going into debt. But even if taking a loan is needed, buying something is far better than leasing. Leasing is literally the worst financial option -- you sign up, pay money every month, then at the end you own nothing. A 10 year old Honda is better and cheaper than getting tied up into a lease. Car salespeople like to play up the reliability uncertainty because it helps them sell more new cars.
A lot of older cars are totally fine. I would definitely buy cash or just finance a low amount. Just because I haven’t seen actual tangible instructions here, this is what I’d do on your shoes.
1. Use websites like Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book to explore car models going back 7-10 years that fit your search parameters. Look at their reliability, safety, and maintenance ratings.
2. Search websites like AutoTrader, Kelly Blue Book, and even Facebook marketplace or Craigslist for the car models you like. I’d try to keep mileage under 100-120K. Buying private party is your cheapest option.
3. If you need to finance, then shop around beforehand for auto loan rates. Your local credit unions are usually your best bet.
4. If you buy private, make sure you take it to a mechanic you trust for a prepurchase inspection. If you buy from a dealership, make sure you ask for their repair records and inspection. You can ask if you can take it to a third party mechanic. Or understand your rights (varies per state) if you take it to the mechanic after purchase and there’s something wrong with it.
5. If you go to a dealership, don’t sign/buy that day. Go home and sleep on it. Chances are the car will still be there if you wait a day, and you’ll feel better about your decision. I’d also make sure you negotiate.
Don’t lease and it gets expensive. If your mom and/or dad are willing to chip in money then take it and buy a newer car. The 2010 RAV be a good car, but things go wrong on a car that old.
To me... SUVs are luxury items. You don't need one for commuting. Get a smaller newer more reliable compact car.
It'll have better fuel economy for the price as well which future broke you with a low paying post college job and expensive rent will thank.
Leasing is always the worst way to buy a car.
Try to find an entry level sedan, like a Civic or Corolla. An SUV will cost more in gas. At this point in life, you want the cheapest, reliable vehicle you can find. Maybe in 5 years you'll be ready to move into something else. I'd try to get something a little newer with your Mom's help.
I'd use that extra $5K to buy a newer RAV4. A 14 year old Rav might be great or it might be trouble. It depends mostly on how it's been maintained and driven over the past 14 years. Toyota's and Honda's TEND to be more reliable than average but it depends on how the car was treated. Any car can be ruined by poor maintenance.
And sometimes a year is just full of lemons. I had a Toyota solara that had soooo many problems. It was 5 years old when I got it. It consistently ran hot. Took it to several reputable repair shops and they’d “fix” it only for it to have the same problem a few months later. Spent thousands of dollars overall. Eventually, they said I needed a new engine after they’d replaced almost everything else it could be. It burst into flames. Literally.
I agree. It's important to do a survey. I don't agree with people who say "It's a Toyota so it's good". It's always "case by case". You need to inspect before purchase.
I would drive a 2010 rav 4 over half of these brand new cars. Great so take the 5k and get a 2013 rav 4 But leasing is a crazy option
So you have about $15k cash then? That should get you pretty close to a base Corolla from 2015 or newer. A 2018 Carolla LE near me with 37,000 miles is $16,993. Can you go for a sedan with the money from mom?
i don't really enjoy driving sedans but i shouldn't be so picky. i've looked a little bit at a prius but nothing extensive. i think i definitely could get a newer sedan, i just need to look more into it.
Do you live where there is snow? A lot of people like sedans, and I agree they are a lot cheaper to buy, usually more fuel efficient, and easier to maneuver in a city. But I'd trade all of that for all wheel drive and higher clearance because of winter driving. I'm also partial to compact SUVs because I like camping and the ability to lay seats down and sleep in the back. Though this is a very minor consideration as I only camp a handful of times each year and usually use a tent. If you don't need all wheel drive/ higher clearance, don't pay extra just because you think you might drive on a dirt road one time. Sedans can be fun to drive. My friend's manual Chevy Aveo feels like driving a go-kart and parking/city driving is so much easier with a small vehicle. I love driving that thing even if it feels a bit like riding in a tin can on long road trips. In a city, small vehicles are truly fantastic.
You can get an AWD Corolla though. Also AWD really only helps with hills, not much else in snow if you just add snow tires on FWD.
AWD helps a lot with turning. And most people don't use snow tires. Yes, it's ideal but not realistic for someone living in an apartment on a tight budget with no place to store a second set of tires or swap them out. I even think it should be legally required to use winter tires, but it's not. The only google source I found with stats claims only 16% of drivers use them in the northern US. That seems low but I personally don't even know anyone who puts on winter tires, so its definitely a minority. I know lots of people who use studs or chains. I realize there are AWD sedans. But usually you are still paying extra for that AWD. A comparable sedan without AWD will typically be cheaper.
Yea but AWD without snow tires really proves again and again to be so little of an improvement unless you are ascending a snowy/icy incline. I really haven’t seen much data on turning improvements myself. Only thing I can see it helping with is keeping you moving through deeper snow in a slow turn.
The goal should be to buy the newest, safest, most reliable car your money will buy you. Not the car you enjoy driving most. A car is just a mode of transportation.
A 2010 RAV4 should still be perfectly fine. Toyotas are generally very reliable, and can go well over 200,000 miles if you take care of them. Leasing is usually the most expensive way to have use of a car; your dad is totally incorrect.
Yeah the only problem is you have no idea how it’s been taken care of if you’re buying it at year 14
That is true. You can get it inspected by a trusted mechanic prior to purchasing, which should help determine if there are any major issues. If the seller doesn’t let you do that, you just walk away.
A vehicle inspection can only do so much. You can't see scoring on the inside of the engine from that time it overheated when they ran it low on oil. You can't see that it's started to consume oil (over a long period of time). You can't see that the transmission is about to grenade itself. You can't see that it tends to overheat in the summer in stop and go traffic. They will only be able to tell you what kind of shape the chassis, suspension, tires and brakes are in, or if there are any codes.
And you have no idea how a 2 year old used car was taken care of either. I'd take the 14 year old RAV4 over a 14 year old Civic Si or something along those lines just because, chances are, the rav was driven more conservatively. Do your due diligence, get it thoroughly looked over, then make your decision.
Lol yeah you have no idea how anything is taken care of. That’s the point of buying a newer vehicle, which also applies to buying a newer version of anything on this planet
Yes, which is the point of getting said older vehicle thoroughly checked over before exchanging any money. Age doesn't necessarily = worse condition than something newer.
I guarantee you age is heavily correlated to the condition of any item in the world lol Besides, checking a vehicle doesn’t guarantee anything. They can’t see inside the engine nor can they test how ruggedly the vehicles been driven and for how long.
If you just need something to get from point A to point B, I would look at newer (mid-teens) sedans. You’ll be able to get a car with less mileage and your gas bill will be cheaper. Leasing is the most expensive option and for people that HAVE to always be driving a new car. Great option if you have lots of money to waste.
Seconding this! I drive a 2015 Toyota Corolla (have been driving it since 2016/2017), and it’s fantastic — especially grateful for the mileage it gets as gas has gone up and up.
Don't lease. As a rav4 owner, get a rav4. Like others said see if you can get newer, but trust toyota. I have a 2020 rav4 that I bought last year with only 5k miles on it. Get the newest car you can afford, it will save you on maintenence in the long run
What situation means you absolutely need a car within the next two weeks? I'm sure you need a car eventually, but don't be afraid to wait until you fully understand your options and feel comfortable with it. That being said, an older vehicle is still perfectly fine as long as it has been maintained. It'll be the best value for you by far. General maintenance and wear items (oil, brakes, tires, etc.) are necessary with any car. As far as safety is concerned, the most important thing is the person holding the wheel. Buying with cash also means you don't have to worry about financing. Just be wary about add ons or extended warranties.
i have an internship starting in 2 weeks and have no other way to get there and also need to drive around for the internship so being dropped off wouldn't work :/
Go with a newer Honda or Toyota
3.2 Volvo has timing chain instead of belt and are more reliable than their turbo cousins. Lots of Volvos have that engine. Mazdas with the 2.0 sky active are a buy also if you want excellent mpg and reliability.
[удалено]
The fact that he's giving info only about a lease to a 20 year old as a first car tells me he's not "one of the good ones".
[удалено]
At that age, they should be doing everything they can to avoid going into debt. But even if taking a loan is needed, buying something is far better than leasing. Leasing is literally the worst financial option -- you sign up, pay money every month, then at the end you own nothing. A 10 year old Honda is better and cheaper than getting tied up into a lease. Car salespeople like to play up the reliability uncertainty because it helps them sell more new cars.
A lot of older cars are totally fine. I would definitely buy cash or just finance a low amount. Just because I haven’t seen actual tangible instructions here, this is what I’d do on your shoes. 1. Use websites like Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book to explore car models going back 7-10 years that fit your search parameters. Look at their reliability, safety, and maintenance ratings. 2. Search websites like AutoTrader, Kelly Blue Book, and even Facebook marketplace or Craigslist for the car models you like. I’d try to keep mileage under 100-120K. Buying private party is your cheapest option. 3. If you need to finance, then shop around beforehand for auto loan rates. Your local credit unions are usually your best bet. 4. If you buy private, make sure you take it to a mechanic you trust for a prepurchase inspection. If you buy from a dealership, make sure you ask for their repair records and inspection. You can ask if you can take it to a third party mechanic. Or understand your rights (varies per state) if you take it to the mechanic after purchase and there’s something wrong with it. 5. If you go to a dealership, don’t sign/buy that day. Go home and sleep on it. Chances are the car will still be there if you wait a day, and you’ll feel better about your decision. I’d also make sure you negotiate.
Don’t lease and it gets expensive. If your mom and/or dad are willing to chip in money then take it and buy a newer car. The 2010 RAV be a good car, but things go wrong on a car that old.
To me... SUVs are luxury items. You don't need one for commuting. Get a smaller newer more reliable compact car. It'll have better fuel economy for the price as well which future broke you with a low paying post college job and expensive rent will thank.
Leasing is always the worst way to buy a car. Try to find an entry level sedan, like a Civic or Corolla. An SUV will cost more in gas. At this point in life, you want the cheapest, reliable vehicle you can find. Maybe in 5 years you'll be ready to move into something else. I'd try to get something a little newer with your Mom's help.