Help choosing my first car

OverlordPumba

Hey! I am a student looking to purchase a used car that will take me from point A to point B. My budget is set to 8K but I am willing to extend if there are any cars worth getting more than that price. I have researched a bunch before posting this as I need your help deciding if the choices I got are decent or worth pursuing.

1. 2014 Mazda mazda3 i Grand Touring Hatchback 4D - $6600 - 132k
Seems like this is the 3rd owner I am buying from. The second owner had 2 minor accidents reported (one in 2021 and second in 2023), so the hood has some aftermarket lip (?). But otherwise the car looks great. And it is a 2 hour drive to go check this car out so I did as much research as I could (and I will also be taking a mechanic with me). But I just wanted to know if this is worth pursuing?

2. 2018 Honda Fit Sport - $10955 - 95665
This is from a dealership and I've gotten good reviews about this place. Does this seem like a good car to get? I know it is over my budget but if it is gonna last me a while, I don't mind saving up for this.

3. 2010 Toyota RAV4 Sport - $6995 - 153k

4. 2007 Mazda mazda3 s Touring Hatchback 4D - $4995 - 111k
It's a manual car but I can drive stick. And it seems fun, but otherwise nothing too special about it I suppose?

5. 2011 Mazda mazda3 i Sport Sedan 4D - $5995 - 144k
It is odd I have too many Mazda options lol but I have no special bias towards them (although they do look pretty sick for their age)

6. 2009 Toyota Camry XLE Sedan 4D - $6995 - 153k


I could really use your help guys. Any suggestions outside these options are welcome too. Im desperate for a car.

oldfarmer50

If you truly just want transportation I’d go with the Honda or the 2007 Mazda. The rest are pretty high milage and might cost more to keep running. If you knew the previous owners or had complete maintenance records that might change the choice a bit. Unless you are mechanically talented I’d recommend getting any car checked by a mechanic
first.

On the car that’s over budget you could finance a small amount and improve your credit. The dealer probably wouldn’t finance only a few thousand but a credit union might.

mjfloyd1

Whatever you decide on, make sure to get a pre purchase inspection from an independent third party (don’t rely on what the seller says). It will be money well spent.

kyfdx

I agree with #2 and #4.

#4 over #1, because if the automatic transmission goes bad, #1 is totaled.

mjfloyd1

@kyfdx said:
I agree with #2 and #4.

4 over #1, because if the automatic transmission goes bad, #1 is totaled.

The Honda Fit Sport has a CVT so I’d want to see that the fluid has been changed and make sure it is operating well.

I’d probably go for the 2007 Mazda with manual transmission if it passes inspection.

OverlordPumba

mjfloyd1 said:

Whatever you decide on, make sure to get a pre purchase inspection from an independent third party (don’t rely on what the seller says). It will be money well spent.

Yes - I will be taking a mechanic that I know to go check out this car. I did hear that the pre-2010 Mazdas have a lot of rust issues? I am in NY - should I be worried about future rust problems (if it currently doesn't have any)

OverlordPumba

oldfarmer50 said:

If you truly just want transportation I’d go with the Honda or the 2007 Mazda. The rest are pretty high milage and might cost more to keep running. If you knew the previous owners or had complete maintenance records that might change the choice a bit. Unless you are mechanically talented I’d recommend getting any car checked by a mechanic
first.

On the car that’s over budget you could finance a small amount and improve your credit. The dealer probably wouldn’t finance only a few thousand but a credit union might.

I am leaning more towards the 2007 Mazda as well. I do have to travel about 20miles back and forth every weekday for work - so I hope it handles that. I don't think I'll do any super long distance drives (besides going around upstate NY).

OverlordPumba

kyfdx said:

I agree with #2 and #4.

#4 over #1, because if the automatic transmission goes bad, #1 is totaled.

Do you think #4 is a good price for the age and mileage (and if it passes the PPI)? It has 2 owners and no accidents reported + 24 service records.

https://www.tanksautosales.com/newandusedcars?clearall=1

They have other options too - A 2008 Buick Lucerne cxl with 46k miles for $7.5k

OverlordPumba

ALSO - I said I can drive stick - but now that I think about it will winters be difficult? I haven't had much practice in the winters. But I am willing to take the dive I guess.

I just want it to last the next couple of years and I'll be super happy.

mjfloyd1

Buick looks promising if it passes inspection. New brakes and tires in 2021.

oldfarmer50

OverlordPumba said:

mjfloyd1 said:

Whatever you decide on, make sure to get a pre purchase inspection from an independent third party (don’t rely on what the seller says). It will be money well spent.

Yes - I will be taking a mechanic that I know to go check out this car. I did hear that the pre-2010 Mazdas have a lot of rust issues? I am in NY - should I be worried about future rust problems (if it currently doesn't have any)

If you’re upstate rust is a BIG issue on any car. On first inspection look underneath at the rocker panels and on the Mazda 3 especially check the wheel arches. Then have your mechanic do a deep search up on a lift for rust or rust repairs.

oldfarmer50

OverlordPumba said:

kyfdx said:

I agree with #2 and #4.

#4 over #1, because if the automatic transmission goes bad, #1 is totaled.

Do you think #4 is a good price for the age and mileage (and if it passes the PPI)? It has 2 owners and no accidents reported + 24 service records.

https://www.tanksautosales.com/newandusedcars?clearall=1

They have other options too - A 2008 Buick Lucerne cxl with 46k miles for $7.5k

I’d take the Lucerne. An old man’s car for sure but that 3.8L engine is bullet proof. Same with that old Mercury Marquis.

OverlordPumba

oldfarmer50 said:

OverlordPumba said:

kyfdx said:

I agree with #2 and #4.

#4 over #1, because if the automatic transmission goes bad, #1 is totaled.

Do you think #4 is a good price for the age and mileage (and if it passes the PPI)? It has 2 owners and no accidents reported + 24 service records.

https://www.tanksautosales.com/newandusedcars?clearall=1

They have other options too - A 2008 Buick Lucerne cxl with 46k miles for $7.5k

I’d take the Lucerne. An old man’s car for sure but that 3.8L engine is bullet proof. Same with that old Mercury Marquis.

I'll get that checked out too. Is the price fair for the age and 3 owners? Also I'm surprised it's only 48k miles for a 16 years - 3 owner car. What about parts for repairs and stuff? Is it cheap and readily available?

Will you choose this over the mazda?

OverlordPumba

mjfloyd1 said:

Buick looks promising if it passes inspection. New brakes and tires in 2021.

Should I ask for a lower price? Or does it seem fair?

OverlordPumba

oldfarmer50 said:

OverlordPumba said:

mjfloyd1 said:

Whatever you decide on, make sure to get a pre purchase inspection from an independent third party (don’t rely on what the seller says). It will be money well spent.

Yes - I will be taking a mechanic that I know to go check out this car. I did hear that the pre-2010 Mazdas have a lot of rust issues? I am in NY - should I be worried about future rust problems (if it currently doesn't have any)

If you’re upstate rust is a BIG issue on any car. On first inspection look underneath at the rocker panels and on the Mazda 3 especially check the wheel arches. Then have your mechanic do a deep search up on a lift for rust or rust repairs.

Understood, I'll make sure it gets checked out.

oldfarmer50

Parts on the Lucerne should be readily available as they should be on the Mazda. The mileage could indicate an older set of drivers which generally is a good thing.

Is it a fair price? Hard to say. The only comparables I found on AutoTrader were a 2008 with more than twice the mileage for $6k and a 2010 with similar mileage for $12k.

It all comes down to the condition and your personal choice.

OverlordPumba

oldfarmer50 said:

Parts on the Lucerne should be readily available as they should be on the Mazda. The mileage could indicate an older set of drivers which generally is a good thing.

Is it a fair price? Hard to say. The only comparables I found on AutoTrader were a 2008 with more than twice the mileage for $6k and a 2010 with similar mileage for $12k.

It all comes down to the condition and your personal choice.

Gotcha - I'll probably test drive both of them and see how they feel. And get the one I like inspected as well. Thank you! I've been researching for so long and my head hurts lol.