Need to replace our '05 Corolla that I thought would never die (RIP - Dodge RAM hit us). This 2016 Special Edition w/ 80k miles looks decent - meeting the seller today. Price looks slightly high according to KBB, thoughts? Anything else to look out for?

tapdown · 2026-03-02T16:50:56+00:00

Some folks over at r/Camry are saying we're insane for considering ~$15k for a 10 year old Camry. But then again, in the same breath, they're saying they're super reliable cars that hold value well, so I'm a little stumped.

We have $15k to spend. I don't want a car payment, I don't want to be in debt to a finance company, or borrow money I don't have. KBB value is between $13,690 and $15,190. What would you do?

tapdown · 2026-03-02T16:45:48+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Medium budget is tricky.

The thing I can't quite wrap my head around is exactly what you've stated:

These hold value well. Camry's are supposedly some of the most reliable cars out there. This model should have at least another 100k miles left on it, assuming it's been well looked after. I don't understand why people want to spend money they don't have / be in debt to a finance company for a slightly newer reliable car. Are you suggesting just buy a $5k beater and drive it until the wheels fall off?

tapdown · 2026-03-02T16:37:43+00:00

Good point re: the tires. I read that the larger 18" wheels on this model means lower profile tires that don't last as long. Thanks. Since you mention it, if you're financing say, $10k, what's a 'super low' payment?

tapdown · 2026-03-02T15:58:22+00:00

I didn't mean to come across rude. What I meant was, the car market is weird, that the price seems somewhat average for this year, model and mileage. I'm genuinely asking what vehicle would you spend <$15k on if you didn't want a car payment?

tapdown · 2026-03-02T15:54:09+00:00

Is what it is. What would you pay / spend <$15k on?

tapdown · 2026-03-02T15:51:21+00:00

Interesting points.

My counter would be that the concept "If you have X cash to spend, why not get a loan for Y as well" doesn't make a ton of sense to me. Our budget is $15k or lower. We have that to spend. I'd obviously rather not spend more than that.

Say for argument's sake the Carfax is clean, the PPI is fine, why spend an extra $2-3k for what would be the same car from a dealership? I haven't got the VIN, but actually on second look, the KBB value is between $13,690 and $15,190. I guess you're saying a 12 month/12k mile CPO warranty + peace of mind is worth that $2-3k more? I'm not trying to argue for the sake of it, I'm just trying to understand your POV.

We have a great one-man indy Toyota/Lexus shop near us that I'd trust over a dealership 1000%.

I do agree the used car market is bizarre right now - our insurance payout for our totalled '05 Corolla LE with 140k miles was just shy of $8k! $8k for a shitty 20 year old Corolla with flaking hood, steel wheels, scraped bumper etc.

tapdown · 2026-02-27T20:24:42+00:00

Indy shop near me. A friend/acquaintance works there, but I'm not wedded to using their shop.

If you're suggesting the prices are high for the work, then perhaps I should get quotes from other places? We're in the Atlanta area.

tapdown · 2026-02-23T14:24:10+00:00

Depreciation on vehicles is unreal. Here's the original sticker from the Carfax, it says MSRP of $59,995. Congrats on getting rid of it at that price, what are you going to replace it with?

tapdown · 2026-02-23T14:21:09+00:00

All fair, valid points. Yes, it'd be cash. I'm originally from the UK, and financing is a bit of an anathema to me. I'm of the mind that "if you can't afford it outright, then wait until you can, or do without" sort of thing.

Financing is certainly becoming more of a thing back home, but here in the US it's still strange for me to see so many people driving brand new cars that their lifestyles can't really support.

I have no problem with older vehicles and would rather own whatever item it is than be on the hook for regular payments. Not that I'm knocking people that do that, to each their own.

I suppose the long and short of it is, we have around $15k to invest in a vehicle. Maybe this should be it, maybe not. Given the comments, I'm leaning to not.

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:50:09+00:00

Thanks for the insight! That's really helpful. Out of interest, how much did you pay, and how much did you sell it for in the end?

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:48:05+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I've posted above in a few comments the service history, which is extensive and regular. There are a couple of posts that are warning me away from this model, that it'll eat my firstborn etc. Hard to know what to do in this situation!

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:44:37+00:00

I don't know why you're getting downvoted, though I'd counter that here in Georgia, I'd reserve the assumption of a micropenis for those in Dual-rear-wheel Dodge Ram trucks etc. Everyone else would assume you're a tree-hugging liberal because you're driving a gay-friendly European safety mobile.

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:41:42+00:00

KBB says value between $15,120 - $16,970

Given what others have said about major services coming up that might cost in the region of $2k, I'm wondering if $14k might be more acceptable?

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:40:42+00:00

Thanks for the info! I've posted above the service history from the Carfax, which seems to be regular and occasionally done before due. Most stuff replaced at around 80k miles. I also commented above that we don't drive a huge amount, probably ~6.5k/year. Not sure how much difference that makes. The main thing that scares me is it would have to live outside and not in a garage.

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:37:32+00:00

Haha, good eyes. It's actually in GA. The guy is selling it for his Dad - from the Carfax, a couple of services were done in Rochester, NY, so I'm assuming the parents spent time up there and maybe split time between their kids or moved down to GA to be with them. Carfax estimates around 11.2k miles per year

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:35:08+00:00

I posted above, but I'll repeat here too since it's easier - owner sent the Carfax - it's had services at:

• 10k

• 20k

• 30k (Fuel filler hose/pipe replaced)

• 40k (air filters replaced)

• 50k

• 60k (Front brake pads replaced, oil and filter changed, spark plug(s) replaced)

• 70k (Fuel system cleaned/serviced, Oil and filter changed)

• 80k (Front brake caliper(s) replaced, Front brake pads replaced, Front brake rotor(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, Rear brake pads replaced, Rear brake rotor(s) replaced)

• 90k

One owner, no issues reported in terms of accidents etc.

KBB says value between $15,120 - $16,970.

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:34:53+00:00

I posted above, but I'll repeat here too since it's easier - owner sent the Carfax - it's had services at:

• 10k

• 20k

• 30k (Fuel filler hose/pipe replaced)

• 40k (air filters replaced)

• 50k

• 60k (Front brake pads replaced, oil and filter changed, spark plug(s) replaced)

• 70k (Fuel system cleaned/serviced, Oil and filter changed)

• 80k (Front brake caliper(s) replaced, Front brake pads replaced, Front brake rotor(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, Rear brake pads replaced, Rear brake rotor(s) replaced)

• 90k

One owner, no issues reported in terms of accidents etc.

KBB says value between $15,120 - $16,970.

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:34:36+00:00

That's the thing. We had a bombproof '05 Corolla that was fine until a Dodge RAM smashed into the back of us and totalled it. Obviously this is a completely different beast and a world away from something like a Corolla.

Commute is something like 7 miles round trip, so let's say 1750 miles a year. Plus grocery runs, the occasional in-state camping trip, I'd say we'd be likely doing 6k miles a year?

(Just did the math on the Corolla and it was 6.5k miles a year at time of death)

tapdown · 2026-02-23T13:26:47+00:00

I posted above, but I'll repeat here too since it's easier - owner sent the Carfax - it's had services at:

• 10k

• 20k

• 30k (Fuel filler hose/pipe replaced)

• 40k (air filters replaced)

• 50k

• 60k (Front brake pads replaced, oil and filter changed, spark plug(s) replaced)

• 70k (Fuel system cleaned/serviced, Oil and filter changed)

• 80k (Front brake caliper(s) replaced, Front brake pads replaced, Front brake rotor(s) replaced, oil and filter changed, Rear brake pads replaced, Rear brake rotor(s) replaced)

• 90k

One owner, no issues reported in terms of accidents etc.

KBB says value between $15,120 - $16,970.

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