car shopping by bike

[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.

[maillotpois]

The Fit really holds its value. I traded mine in in June (have wanted to be back in a convertible for years and had an opportunity to get the last of the VW beetle convertibles). Part of the reason I traded my Fit in was that the dealer gave me 14k for it in trade - even though it had over 50,000 miles on it!!!

The Fit was a great car - I loved that the bike fit right inside it so easily and I do miss that, but I also love the wind in my hair.

I love the idea of taking your bike to shop for a car.

[Biciclista]

actually... i forgot to say, we've gone by bike car shopping many times, for the same reason. If the bike doesn't fit we don't look at the car.. of course it did fit into the FIT.