New car for my daughter. Looking for input on a couple of choices

As some of you know, my daughter’s car was totaled last week. I’m looking at several to replace it, but I’m leaning toward one of these two. Both have roughly the same sticker price, and I’m working on negotiating at the moment.
One is a 2017, with about 15k miles. The other is a 2015, with 30k, but looks to be nicer. 30k isn’t a lot of miles anyway. The newer one is a base model, the other is their S model.

Just wanted to get an opinion on what you guys would lean toward.

https://www.gullotoyota.com/used/Toyota/2017-Toyota-Corolla-15e0c0ef0a0e0ae70ae069c0f5310fc1.htm

https://www.atkinsontoyotamadisonvi...-Corolla-d2f6367f0a0e0adf6270a6620bb111df.htm

 

The 2017 is the “L” model, the 2015 is the “S”.

 

So, go with the 2015?

 

I noticed that the 2017 is an automatic and the 2015 S model is a manual. Not sure if that helps with your decision or not. Either way the corolla is a great car.

 

@War Machine never heard or seen ya post about totaled car, she ok? Sorry that happened, Go with your favorite color, Blaaaaack!

 

Looks like the 2017 has a few extra safety features... lane departure warning, backup camera...

The 2015 gets paddle shifters and push button start.

For my kid I think I’d do the extra safety features... or let them pick. Are the models in the same gen? Both preform well in crash tests? If you don’t really have a preference maybe let her pick?

 

I actually just caught that. It does pretty much eliminate the 2015. She’s never driven a manual, and I haven’t in twenty years.

 

Yeah, she’s ok. She was driving downtown by Minute Maid, missed a red light, and got hit. Airbags deployed and knocked the hell out of her and my younger girl who was in the backseat. Both are ok now. Insurance paid more than we owed, so we’re just having to find something now.
She’s pretty upset about losing her car, but otherwise everything is fine.

 

Have you also looked at a new Corolla to compare? If you are financing the rates are generally better for new cars.

Edit: glad your girls are ok.

 

I’m likely not going to look at the 2015 since it’s manual. She leaves to go back to college in Nacogdoches in a couple of weeks, so she wouldn’t have a ton of time to get used to a manual.

 

Sorry to hear, glad they ok

 

2015 is a better option. Seems loaded. 30k is nothing for corolla. Got nicer wheels so u wont have to worry about putting 35s in there.

 

Oh i didnt notice. Manual could be a problem

 

I have, but I can just get her another Honda Fit cheaper if I was going with new. It really is a great car. I’m likely only going to be financing about 10k on on that 2017 Corrola.

So far, they’re not coming off the price much. Maybe a few hundred bucks. I’d assumed a used one should have a lot more wiggle room than a new one, but he says it’s “aggressively priced” already.

I checked Edmunds TMV on it, and it seems to be in line, but I’m not sure if that’s the best way to know. I haven’t bought a used car since 1997.

 

Not even positive I could drive it off the lot. Haven’t touched a manual since 2001.

 

I have heard that dealers have more room to negotiate with new cars because of the kickbacks and dealer incentives. With pre-owned cars there are no incentives.

When we were looking for a car for my daughter we ended up with a better deal on a new Sentra. You can check TrueCar and see what people in your area are paying for a new car.

 

I had the same issue buying used back in 2010... their online prices are usually right around their “best offer” as it’s assumed the prospective buyer is comparing from many sellers.

I’d go down there, walk around the car... look for defects and find things to complain about on the test drive. When you get back, “so, $$$ is the best you’ve can do, huh?” If they say yes (and you aren’t happy with the price) “maybe some other time then...” usually you’ll get the “well... let me talk to my service manager...”

It’s part of the game. I hate playing games like that so I’ve been buying new as much as possible lol

Maybe someone whose bought a used car more recently will chime in.

 

I thought the same, but it lists manual down in the specs.

 

It’s in Madisonville. That’s a long way to go if I’m not sure ahead of time. At least I could hit Bucees while I was there.

 

Everything I see in Toyota's system shows a CVT on the '15? Could just be an error on the dealers end?

 

For comparison, Atkinson Toyota (the dealer with the used '15 for $15,888) has a new Corolla for $16,947.

 

I shot him a message to confirm.

 

Hadn’t even looked at the new ones at that dealer. They were 18+ at the ones closer to me. That’s why she got a new one the first time. There just wasn’t a huge gulf between new and used without buying a high mileage vehicle. I guess this is common?

 

When I was buying a car for my daughter to take to college, the used cars in our area were fully loaded with high miles and were more expensive than a new car. I wanted/needed for her to have something reliable and (for me) the only feature I had to have was keyless entry. (Did not want my daughter walking back to her car after a night class and having to fumble for keys).

I used the Costco program to buy my Tundra - very easy. The dealer that Costco contacted emailed me and asked what I was interested in. I sent them the VIN of the Tundra that that had on the lot and they emailed me back the price.

 

You should look at new. We bought a new s in 2015 for about 16k. Interest rate is better on new also. So I would pass on both those deals u less you can deal 3,000 off their prices.