Buying a used car: Toyota Corolloa vs. Honda Civic vs. Toyota Matrix?
I am looking to buy one of these used (but open to other options! Just that people keep telling me to get a Toyota or Honda). I am not looking for fancy - I just want a car that is reliable, known to be mechanically sound (so tired of visiting the mechanic for issues with my old Nissan Sentra!), fuel efficient, inexpensive, will take me from point A to point B with fewer headaches over the years. I like the cargo space of the Matrix, but I heard it is less fuel efficient than the others?
What car would you buy? My budget is $10K max (but prefer it to be less, like under $8000? or am I dreaming?), <100,000km mileage, 2008 model being the oldest I want to consider (but I am also thinking it could be good to get a leased car that has been returned.. so usually that is 4 years or so, no?)
Also, I have never bought a car before (new or used), so what are the steps I need to take or any tips? My old car was a hand me down from my brother. Finally, I keep reading that you should have the car inspected by a mechanic before buying. How do you go about doing this? Does the dealership just let you drive off with it to your mechanic's shop??
What car would you buy? My budget is $10K max (but prefer it to be less, like under $8000? or am I dreaming?), <100,000km mileage, 2008 model being the oldest I want to consider (but I am also thinking it could be good to get a leased car that has been returned.. so usually that is 4 years or so, no?)
Also, I have never bought a car before (new or used), so what are the steps I need to take or any tips? My old car was a hand me down from my brother. Finally, I keep reading that you should have the car inspected by a mechanic before buying. How do you go about doing this? Does the dealership just let you drive off with it to your mechanic's shop??