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For the first time in nearly 14 years, I bought a car. As I mentioned in another thread, the local Toyota dealer was doing a special invitation-only sales event today which coincided perfectly with learning that my car need some major repairs that simply weren't worth doing in my mind (well over $2,000, probably closer to $3,000).
We started our day at the Toyota dealer. I confirmed that I don't like the new Camry design. I also learned that the new design began in 2007. I didn't realize it went quite that far back. I checked out the Corolla and it is just too small, very little leg room in the back seat for my 5'8" daughter.
Then, the salesman pointed out a vehicle that is rare to even find on a new car dealer's lot and even rarer as a factory certified model: a 2006 Camry XLE. Yes, it is 6 years old but this particular one had only 26,400 miles. The body was in great shape with only minor surface scratches that the detail department should be able to get out. Carfax report was clean. I reviewed the full service records. It was a trade-in from the original owner a week or two ago. It drives great, very smooth, good acceleration and quiet. Being an XLE, it is fully loaded - power everything, 6-disc CD changer, JBL stereo, wood trim, moon roof, etc. The price was comparable to everything I found online.
I still didn't want to jump in so we left and headed over to the Hyundai dealer as the only other car I knew I was considering was the Sonata but I had never actually seen one or driven one. We took a test drive of a 2-year-old model and actually neither of us liked it all that much. That pretty much sealed the deal.
We headed back to the Toyota dealer and hammered out the numbers and signed on the bottom line. I'll be picking it up on Monday after work.
So it is 8 years newer than mine and has 125,000 fewer miles. I figure even though it is 6 years old, it should still last me a good long time.
We started our day at the Toyota dealer. I confirmed that I don't like the new Camry design. I also learned that the new design began in 2007. I didn't realize it went quite that far back. I checked out the Corolla and it is just too small, very little leg room in the back seat for my 5'8" daughter.
Then, the salesman pointed out a vehicle that is rare to even find on a new car dealer's lot and even rarer as a factory certified model: a 2006 Camry XLE. Yes, it is 6 years old but this particular one had only 26,400 miles. The body was in great shape with only minor surface scratches that the detail department should be able to get out. Carfax report was clean. I reviewed the full service records. It was a trade-in from the original owner a week or two ago. It drives great, very smooth, good acceleration and quiet. Being an XLE, it is fully loaded - power everything, 6-disc CD changer, JBL stereo, wood trim, moon roof, etc. The price was comparable to everything I found online.
I still didn't want to jump in so we left and headed over to the Hyundai dealer as the only other car I knew I was considering was the Sonata but I had never actually seen one or driven one. We took a test drive of a 2-year-old model and actually neither of us liked it all that much. That pretty much sealed the deal.
We headed back to the Toyota dealer and hammered out the numbers and signed on the bottom line. I'll be picking it up on Monday after work.
So it is 8 years newer than mine and has 125,000 fewer miles. I figure even though it is 6 years old, it should still last me a good long time.
I always think it's exciting to get a new car. I wish I could buy one, but I'm glad I don't have to. Personally, I freak out at the debt.
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