My wife's (almost) new car
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Toyota Racing = Cheaters
Joined: Mar 2002
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My wife's (almost) new car
My wife's lease on her '00 Saturn LW1 ends in 3 weeks, so we went to go used car shopping. So many vehicles that we looked at. We were looking for a wagon/SUV type of vehcile and trying to keep it at the $10,000 price. Here's how I have evaluated them.
Red 1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 w/160k miles
Most room in all the vehicles we looked at. Pretty
looking. 150hp 3.0L V6 power was very weak for a big body like that. Interior was quiet until you have to give it a lot of gas to get on the highway or pass, then it sounded like it was overworking. My wife didn't like how you had to sit more flat (like a car) on a high vehicle. She didn't like the gas mileage or the risks of expensive maintenance with 160k miles. It was a :down: for her. Our bank won't finance such an old vehicle without high interests and 3 year term. 
Dark Green 1999 Jeep Cherokee Limited w/48k miles
Very good power from the 4.0L I6. Fairly quiet on city, but sorta loud on the highway. There was a few squeeks coming from the doors. The lack of headrest in the rear seats I didn't like. We both liked it. Asking price was $12,999. We originally were looking at a 1998 Cherokee w/10k miles for $8790, but it was in :ugh: shape. So the guy knew we were looking for something affordable. I threw out $10k. He countered at $11.7k. I countered at $10.5k and that's it. He said his manager can do for $10.8k. I told him I've already stepped past my limit, so I walked. Yeah, it was only $300 difference, but the Jeep wasn't THAT nice to go that much above our intended budget cap. And my wife wasn't looking forward to way under < 20mpg fuel economy.
White 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 w/117k miles
I liked a LOT, but my wife didn't. Drove decently for a bigger SUV. Asking price was $12k, and dealer told me he can let it go for $11.5k. I reasoned it out with my wife that I will buy it for me and she can have my car. She wasn't happy. I was going to do it, BUT bank would only finance it for 3 years (instead of the 4 we originally wanted) at higher percentage because of the miles.
Silver 2000 Honda CR-V EX w/48k miles
Good gas mileage, decent power. Easy to move the car around in the city. My wife liked the color a lot. Definitely NOT an off-roader. Didn't like the spare tire in the back. Needed new tires. One owner, clean carfax. KBB retails the car at high $15k at dealer and high $13k for private party. Car was basically like new condition, w/the exception of the tires. The guy only asked for $9900. :eek3:. My wife liked it A LOT, I was :happysad:. But this is her car and I know the car will last us a long time with very little problems. Plus the price is $3k below its value. I couldn't pass it up. So..........
......we did it. The guy had seconds thoughts about selling it for $9900, but I argued to him we had a deal and the car needed new tires. It only took a couple of minutes to talk him out not selling it to me, but I ended up with his advertised price. Here's his autotrader ad:
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...lor=&cardist=5
Yeah, CR-V is nothing to brag about, but 3 weeks of car shopping done and I found something exactly what we needed in nearly perfect condition with average miles for $3k under value. w00t!
My family now has a Honda in every model year from 1998 and on...
my 1998 black Accord EXV6
bro's 1999 white Accord EX
wife's 2000 silver CR-V EX
mom's 2001 goldish Odyssey EX
sister's 2002 maroon CR-V EX
sister-in-law's 2003 blue Civic LX
:happysad:
Red 1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 w/160k miles
Most room in all the vehicles we looked at. Pretty
looking. 150hp 3.0L V6 power was very weak for a big body like that. Interior was quiet until you have to give it a lot of gas to get on the highway or pass, then it sounded like it was overworking. My wife didn't like how you had to sit more flat (like a car) on a high vehicle. She didn't like the gas mileage or the risks of expensive maintenance with 160k miles. It was a :down: for her. Our bank won't finance such an old vehicle without high interests and 3 year term. Dark Green 1999 Jeep Cherokee Limited w/48k miles
Very good power from the 4.0L I6. Fairly quiet on city, but sorta loud on the highway. There was a few squeeks coming from the doors. The lack of headrest in the rear seats I didn't like. We both liked it. Asking price was $12,999. We originally were looking at a 1998 Cherokee w/10k miles for $8790, but it was in :ugh: shape. So the guy knew we were looking for something affordable. I threw out $10k. He countered at $11.7k. I countered at $10.5k and that's it. He said his manager can do for $10.8k. I told him I've already stepped past my limit, so I walked. Yeah, it was only $300 difference, but the Jeep wasn't THAT nice to go that much above our intended budget cap. And my wife wasn't looking forward to way under < 20mpg fuel economy.
White 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 w/117k miles
I liked a LOT, but my wife didn't. Drove decently for a bigger SUV. Asking price was $12k, and dealer told me he can let it go for $11.5k. I reasoned it out with my wife that I will buy it for me and she can have my car. She wasn't happy. I was going to do it, BUT bank would only finance it for 3 years (instead of the 4 we originally wanted) at higher percentage because of the miles.
Silver 2000 Honda CR-V EX w/48k miles
Good gas mileage, decent power. Easy to move the car around in the city. My wife liked the color a lot. Definitely NOT an off-roader. Didn't like the spare tire in the back. Needed new tires. One owner, clean carfax. KBB retails the car at high $15k at dealer and high $13k for private party. Car was basically like new condition, w/the exception of the tires. The guy only asked for $9900. :eek3:. My wife liked it A LOT, I was :happysad:. But this is her car and I know the car will last us a long time with very little problems. Plus the price is $3k below its value. I couldn't pass it up. So..........
......we did it. The guy had seconds thoughts about selling it for $9900, but I argued to him we had a deal and the car needed new tires. It only took a couple of minutes to talk him out not selling it to me, but I ended up with his advertised price. Here's his autotrader ad:
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...lor=&cardist=5
Yeah, CR-V is nothing to brag about, but 3 weeks of car shopping done and I found something exactly what we needed in nearly perfect condition with average miles for $3k under value. w00t!
My family now has a Honda in every model year from 1998 and on...
my 1998 black Accord EXV6
bro's 1999 white Accord EX
wife's 2000 silver CR-V EX
mom's 2001 goldish Odyssey EX
sister's 2002 maroon CR-V EX
sister-in-law's 2003 blue Civic LX
:happysad:
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,574
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From: cali, bay area
my mom has a 2002 or 2001 i think CRV Special edition. It is cool but lacks alot of options for being a special edition car...not really a big fan after futher insepction, just a bunch of lil things.
