Topic: Opinion on 2002 Camry?

[Shnak]

I'm starting to look around to replace my Accent with something bigger into which we can fit a baby seat... on kijiji, I've noticed the following ad:

2002 Toyota Camry XLL (probably meant XLE) 4-cylinder auto with only 15950 km for $7,900. It says old lady driven, which explains the 2000km/year average. The first thought is great, no mileage at all! But then, isn't that a bad thing? The car has barely been driven for 8-9 years, who knows what parts will need to be replaced soon.

In short, is an 8 year old Camry with 16000km for $7,900 a good buy?

[Shnak]

... or should I rather go with something like a 2006 Corolla CE A/C auto with 80,000km for $8700?

[bridgecity]

I'm starting to look around to replace my Accent with something bigger into which we can fit a baby seat... on kijiji, I've noticed the following ad:

2002 Toyota Camry XLL (probably meant XLE) 4-cylinder auto with only 15950 km for $7,900. It says old lady driven, which explains the 2000km/year average. The first thought is great, no mileage at all! But then, isn't that a bad thing? The car has barely been driven for 8-9 years, who knows what parts will need to be replaced soon.

In short, is an 8 year old Camry with 16000km for $7,900 a good buy?

Are you sure the ad is legit?  I mean, it could be, but it sounds scandalous. Maybe they mistyped the mileage by a factor of ten.  Worth checking into.

[TopGun]

I never understood used Toyotas.  If it's true or not, people perceive these cars to be the most reliable, so the market reflects that in their value.

'Tis not a much better deal to get something that depreciated more quickly?

Quick one - I see an auto 06 Mazda 6 5-door with 103,000 km on it for $8500.

I would now tend to go with higher mileage/lower price as opposed to lower mileage/higher price.  If it's on the highway, I don't see the mileage being a big deal...and it really brings the price down.

[Shnak]

My thinking about considering a used Toyota is that we're not sure how long a sedan will do as our 2nd vehicle so something that maintains a good value on the used market makes sense.

Our thinking is that in about two years, we'll be looking for a new primary vehicle, relaying our Sportage to second vehicle duties. That would mean getting rid of the Corolla-type vehicle.

Anyways, we're in no rush as I'll probably keep using the Accent to commute to work for the next 4-5 months while my wife is at home with the new baby. But after that, when my wife goes back to work with the Sportage, I'll need to upgrade the Accent to something bigger, newer and safer so that I can drive around with the little one. As I said, just starting to look around and was curious if an old vehicle with basically no mileage was a good purchase.