car shopping by bike

[redrhodie]

Rode to the Toyota dealership and test rode a Yaris today. It fit! "It" being the bike, of course. In the hatch, with the seats down, and the front wheel off, it went in easily.

Really liked the car (maybe I even loved it) + that the dealership is bikeable. The car was fun to drive, and felt very comfortable. It felt right. The price is my hang up. I've seen similar models advertised with similar miles for $4,000 less, private owner sales. This one was Toyota certified "pre-owned". I'm not sure the Toyota warranty, which lasts until 2015, is worth $4000 to me. What say you? They did also offer me $1000 for my Maxima, sight unseen, which is on death's door, so that's a consideration.

Also thinking about the Honda Fit, but it may be hard to find in my price range, and the Nissan Versa. My friend has a Versa so I bet I can test ride his. The Fits seem more rare used, so I may have to try a new one. The dealer is in a bike unfriendly location, so I may not ride to it. We'll see.

[OakLeaf]

What kind of mileage does the Yaris have? And what does the warranty cover? The higher the mileage, the more I'd hesitate to buy private. An inspection by an independent mechanic is worth the money in either case, IMO.

If you intend to get your car serviced at the dealership, then bikeability is a more than just a convenience issue. That's something to take into account, too.

[azfiddle]

We love our Honda Fit... (Encouraged by another TE member!). It's the first car we ever bought new. Not sure what your budget is though...

[redrhodie]

We love our Honda Fit... (Encouraged by another TE member!). It's the first car we ever bought new. Not sure what your budget is though...

I'm a used car kind of girl. I want to stay under $10,000 so I won't need a loan. I think it would be really hard to find a Fit in that range, but I should test ride it just to see its awesome factor.

[redrhodie]

It has 51,000 miles. It's a bumper to bumper warranty for one year, then the rest of the time until 2015 it's just the powertrain that's covered. I wish I could remember everything he said.

The private owner one that's $4000 less has 66,000 miles on it, same year.

That's a good point about bikeability. It would be really annoying not to be able to ride my bike home when my car's being serviced.

[ny biker]

So the $4000 is for 15,000 fewer miles, warranty and the fact that it's been checked out before you buy it, not just the warranty.

You could buy it anywhere and still bring it to that dealer for service.

[redrhodie]

So the $4000 is for 15,000 less mileage, warranty and the fact that it's been checked out before you buy it, not just the warranty.

You could buy it anywhere and still bring it to that dealer for service.

Yes. Is that worth it? I bet I can find an even better deal. I have some time (unless my Maxima dies tomorrow).

[Biciclista]

I bought my (used) FIT from a private person. I assessed him as much as the car. I got a good price and I KNEW he was the kind of guy who took care of his stuff. He had a replacement for every single lamp in the car! and stuff for the oil change.. and extra windshield wipers. And he recorded every fill up.. and he had perfect penmanship. It was nice not to have to deal with a dealer or all the BS they attach to the price.

[redrhodie]

I bought my (used) FIT from a private person. I assessed him as much as the car. I got a good price and I KNEW he was the kind of guy who took care of his stuff. He had a replacement for every single lamp in the car! and stuff for the oil change.. and extra windshield wipers. And he recorded every fill up.. and he had perfect penmanship. It was nice not to have to deal with a dealer or all the BS they attach to the price.

He sounds dreamy. I've always bought used cars privately, and I've done pretty well, but never met anyone that good!

These cars don't seem to depreciate much. I suspect that's a sign of the time.

ETA, the dealer was actually very nice.