Weston said:
You can find a slightly used Corolla in your price range.
Yeah, exactly! If a brand new one costs $22,000, a used one would have to be a lot cheaper to make sense.
The only thing to watch out for in a RAV4 hybrid is the cable for the rear motor, which tends to rust out in salt states.
Your previous car had 50k+ miles, which is about 10-12k miles per year. That’s really low for any Toyota. What kind of gig work are you doing? If it’s something like Uber Eats or DoorDash, a RAV4 might be overkill.
@Zander
No, I’m saying I drive 20,000 miles a year!
@Zander
I do grocery deliveries.
@Zander
In that case, a used Prius might be perfect. The 4th Gen (2016-2022) comes with TSS (which includes assisted cruise control and other features). It’s a great option, and the trunk can fit a 36-inch kennel or a few duffel bags.
@Zander
I would love to have a Prius, but I’m worried about the mileage, the battery, and the head gasket issues.
@Zander
When the traction/HV battery goes, you just lose some MPG. It costs around $3k to replace, but that usually happens after 300k miles or 12-15 years. The head gasket issue is only a problem with the Gen 2, not the Gen 4.
@Zander
Thanks for the info!
A 2 or 3-year-old Toyota is a good deal.
The Corolla won’t let you down, whether it’s the regular gas model or the hybrid (if you can afford it). It has a large trunk and can seat four comfortably (five if they’re smaller). Plus, the Corolla is known for its reliability. It’s not too powerful, so you won’t have to worry about it breaking down. And the 16k km oil change interval will keep maintenance costs low.
@Dayton
I didn’t know about the oil change interval! Thanks for sharing that.
Have you considered the Sienna? We’re getting more units this year.
I usually buy cars with around 50k miles and sell them at 100-125k miles. That way, you don’t pay new car prices but still get a nice vehicle that holds its value. If you’re driving as much as you are, I’d recommend getting something you can afford on a 48-month loan. That way, you won’t have to deal with high mileage before the loan is paid off.
Toyota cars are built to last. Even older models with 50k miles on them will still be running for a long time. Just make sure to check for rust and previous maintenance history.