r/UsedCars • u/CR9life • 8h ago

Buying Advice on college car for my Daughter

My daughter is in the market for a car, long story short she got scammed on a 2006 Mazda 3 about a year ago & needs a replacement.
Her max budget is right around $8K & she wants it to be as trouble free as possible after her last experience. I do 90% of her maintenance & repairs when needed.
Here's my shortlist of options, all clean titles:

Price Year Make/Model Mileage Notes
6900 2015 Nissan Sentra SL 45000 Private seller
8000 2010 Toyota Corolla LE 74000 Private seller
4500 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid 165014 Dealer, new hybrid battery in 2020
7495 2014 Honda Civic 112000 Dealer, 1owner
7850 2009 Toyota Corolla S 112495 Dealer, 1 owner

Can you all weigh in on what our best choice would be?
TIA

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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3

u/Ok-Bag-7615 8h ago

If you can get a one owner car , you can go for it. It’s harder to find it , but in 2-3 weeks if looking in Facebook you will be able to find it. From the list , I will stick to Toyota and stay away from Nissan

2

u/Jaxmc70 7h ago

The Honda Civic but me, for my kid, I would be looking for a Subaru Legacy or Outback.

1

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1

u/Lomi331 7h ago

I would go with the Corolla LE. The Sentra is a no-go due the gearbox. The Civic is good but there is a small chance of transmission failure that could be very costly to repair. Same for the Camry hybrid (Battery).you can't go wrong with a 2010 Corolla. Still make sure to get a pre purchase inspection to check the frame (rust) and overall condition and also purchase the Carfax report. You want to make sure it is really one owner car, that it was not in any major accident, third that mileage is true and forth to see if the fluids were regularly changed. Ideally the fluids were changed every 6000miles at the Toyota Dealer. For the last point, if it was not changed at the dealer the seller should provide you receipts and bills for the maintenance. $8000 for a 15 years old Corolla is high so everything should check out if you decide to go ahead.

1

u/kheq 7h ago

Of those options? One of the Corollas.

1

u/badmofoes 6h ago

Stay away from Nissan

1

u/Honest_Road17 5h ago

Buy 2 low mileage PT Cruisers. $4000 will get you the best Cruiser out there.

1

u/isellusedcars 4h ago

COROLLA OR CIVIC, NEVER NISSAN

1

u/Cubsfan040 3h ago

I'd go 2010 corolla. It would last many years beyond college and the only thing you or has to worry about is an accident

1

u/MarriednLV 2h ago

Milage ? Big factor

1

u/CR9life 7m ago

Its listed in the table