I needed a C.A.R. in 2014. Nothing special, didn’t want payments, etc. I tried a series of sub $3k cars and all of them wanted to murder me. I desperation I found a 2014 Mazda2 with a big rebate as a last of the litter from the local Mazda dealership. Bugger Green and an automatic, but big rebate, cheap to start with and available. So, why my wife told me that we were NOT in a position to even look at a new Car, I drove to the Mazda dealership.
When we walked in my wife cut me off and asked the drunk salesman what the cheapest car on the lot was. So happened, they had just taken trade in of a Camry. 2004 (10-years-old), 120k miles, Fridge White, one Owner, records of all oil changes at the dealership down in Florida if was at. Sure, we’ll take it for a test drive.
Drunk boy shows up in this.
Ok, not my car, mine has a gold trim emblem on the nose. Oh, and the paint wasn’t shiny. They had just traded it in that day and the paint was damaged (sandblasted by a hurricane) and the car was stained black in places.
Oh, and it had three pedals. We took it for a drive. It drove like new. Even smelled almost new. Previous owner had babied it. After a minor amount of haggling, I left for $5,700 after tax, tags, licensing, etc. So the price before that was about $5,200.
Fast forward 14 years. Odometer reads 245k now. I think including gas, replacement parts, insurance, I’m under $14k to keep this car in good condition. It runs great and I would road trip it across the country tomorrow if I had to. Repairs have been minor (rear struts, front brakes (x2), Tires (x2), Battery (x2), radiator/radiator fan, passenger side mirror, power steering hose, 2 coils and 2 sets of plugs. The paint is actually a bit better today than it was (lots of cleaning and some wax) other than a battle scar on the passenger side. It needs front brakes again (warped rotor), a couple replacement wheel studs and the front seat is starting get a bit thin in the fabric and stuffing, but is still comfortable for 2+ hour long stints. It’s quiet and smooth on the highway and reasonably acceptable around towns and on the backroad.
I could have gotten a less expensive car to purchase, but I can’t imagine it being cheaper to operate long term. And it isn’t a penalty box. I’ll get out of brand new rentals and feel no advantage over my ancient Camry.
I don’t know about today’s Toyotas but early 00s Toyotas were exceptional vehicles and make great cheap cars to this day.
That’s quite the tale you’ve got there, nice one.