buying a used car

Nov 15, 2005 4 Replies

Hello there... our 97 Rav4 AWD (after 190,000 kms & engine light always going on after reset (replaced exhaust system, 02 sensor,spark plug, loud noise coming from timing belt water pump cover which both replaced 2 years ago, checked gas cap sealed tight & gas guage acting up...so is the price of gas) it's time to bid farewell. I was looking at the ff cars:



1) 02 Honda Accord EX-L V4 with 70,000 loaded but no traction control asking &17k (sporty ride with luxury)
2) 02 Camry LE 4 cyl with 133,000 asking $15k (big car for a 4cyl)
3) 02 Camry XLE 4cyl with 150,000 & towing pkg asking $16k
4) 05 Corolla CE Cpkg with 36,000 (former Thrifty's Car Rental) asking $16k (pretty basic) Those are all dealer prices (I'm in N. Falls, Canada btw) & it will be replacing my wife's Rav4. Which car will be better on the long run in terms of maintanance & reliabilty (we test drove all 4). I like Toyota, but the Accord is nice too. I currently drive a 90 celica gt 5spd 5sfe with 90,000 original km that my father bought in 92 (talk about reliability). Need help pls. Thank You

A CE with package C is hardly basic. It actually has a lot of options including A/C, power windows and locks, cruise control. Both my folks and my brother have CE's ('04 and '05) and they love them. It has good power and gets excellent class-leading gas mileage.

In that case, you really can't go wrong with any of your other choices. It all boils down to deciding if you want to pay a bit more to get something with lower miles.

And you really don't NEED traction control. All you need is a good set of winter tires.

If it were me I would price a new Camry. I realize you are talking Canadian dollars but some of you prices are not that far off from a low end 4 cylinder Camry and you will eliminate headaches.

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