Re: Corolla v Civic v Hyundai/Nissan moeds

Our old Camry is showing its age (~12 years) and we have decided to
> look for a new car but budget down to "Corolla level". I said "level" > as I am open to competing models from Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, etc. > > I would appreciate your help in choosing the model, as well as the > "sub-model" (CE, LE, DX etc.). > > Most of our driving is city or regional: round trips to places 10-50 > miles away. A few times a year we drive 300-500 miles trips. > > I would like basic safety features (line anti-lock brakes) and comforts > (4-door, AC). Very high priority running cost (mpg, reliability). I can > live with manual or automatic. I would consider new, or low-mileage > dealer demos etc, but not "really used". (Like everyone else, I thought > about Prius but it looks too expensive.) > > A few questions: > > 1. Which make/model would be the best fit? > > 2. What is the best site for reading up on these and well as comparison > reviews? (Bought my last car 12 years ago and online resources must > have come along since then.) > > 3. Would you go to a local dealer or Carmax, Carsdirect etc? > > 4. At this point would you buy a 2009, or 2008? > > 5. When is the best time of the year to get good deals on last years > models, dealer demos, loaners and like? (These I'd imagine are only > available from dealers.) > > Thanks for all help.

Most automakers are making pretty reliable and durable cars these days.

1) Regarding fuel economy, the EPA numbers for 2008 and later model years should more closely reflect real-world numbers so you can compare. I do not know if this is still the case, but in the past, Hyundais have had poorer fuel economy than a comparable Toyota, Honda, or Nissan and tend to be a little noisier. A friend traded in a Honda minivan for a Hyundai minivan, and while the Hyundai has good performance and comfort, it is noisier on the highway and gets noticeably poorer fuel economy.

I recommend that you test drive each candidate to see if they are comfortable for you, if you like how they drive, road noise, convenience, etc.

Also price all of the vehicles with the equipment that you want. Hyundais tend to have more content than comparable Japanese vehicles.

2) Edmunds.com seems to have pretty good car reviews.

3) I would purchase the vehicle from the dealer that sells the vehicle new because dealers that do not have that particular brand's franchise do not have access to the factory training and equipment that the new car dealer has.

4) You will probably get a better deal on a 2008 than a 2009, and if you are going to keep the vehicle for 12 years, depreciation won't make that much of a difference.

5) Factory and dealer demos (vehicles that have never been titled) are generally available only through franchised dealers. A "used" vehicle is one that has been licensed and titled, and are available pretty much anywhere, although the vehicles in the best condition are most likely to be at the franchised dealer.

The best time to buy a vehicle is generally at the end of the model year, especially if there is a major model change like a new body style. Since new models are introduced throughout the year, the end of the model year will vary depending on when the vehicle was released. The 2009 Corolla is new, so you will probably get a better deal on a 2008.

Besides the time of year, there is a best time of the month, generally the

1st or second working day of the month, when automakers have their month-end close. If there are factory incentives on the vehicle, they will tend to be better at the end of the incentive period because incentives are generally stepped up towards the end of the period.