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Spring is the season when many people purchase
transportation. The weather is finally coming
around which means there is plenty of sunlight.
The cost of new transportation is expensive.
However, there are several used vehicles
that you might want to consider. The following
vehicles all have good ratings and current market
forces have made them available at very reasonable
prices.
Three vehicles worth your consideration:
1. The Toyota Camry has been one of the best
vehicles in America for years. New Camrys
cost $18,500-$25,000.
Now that the redesigned 2002 Camry has been
circulating in the market, you can buy (if you
shop carefully) a used 2000 Toyota Camry LE
with 30,000-35,000 miles for $10,000-$10,500.
I consider this car to be an excellent value at this
price. The vehicle should still have about two years
remaining on the manufacturer's powertrain (engine
and transmission) warranty. This vehicle can be
driven for hundreds of thousands of miles.
2. The Honda Accord has also been one of America's
best selling automobiles. New Accords cost $18,500-
$26,000.
You can buy a 2000 Accord LX with 30,000-35,000
miles for about $10,500-$11,000. This vehicle can
also be driven for hundreds of thousands of miles.
3. The Mazda 626 has also been a reliable vehicle. New
626s cost $17,500-$24,000.
Mazda does not quite have the name of the Toyota
or the Honda. You can buy (if you shop carefully)
a 2000 Mazda 626 with 30,000-35,000 miles for
about $8,000-$9,000. This vehicle should also
have about two years remaining on the powertrain
warranty. This vehicle can provide many years
of dependable transportation
If you are in the market for a vehicle, do your
homework. Consult "Consumer Report's" automotive issue (April). Also, be sure to read
a couple of new vehicle road tests on the used
vehicle of interest in auto magazines (many are
available at your local library) or Internet sources
such as "Car and Driver," "Motor Trend," "Road
& Track," or "MotorWeek". Information from the
road tests will allow you to zero in the which of the
vehicles discussed above will be the best for you.
For example, if you prefer a softer ride consider
the Camry; if you prefer a stiffer more European
ride, consider the Accord; and if price is the biggest
consideration, consider the Mazda. Last, but not
least, if you are going to buy a 2 to 3 year-old vehicle,
try to get the 2000 model rather than the 199... model.
Years down the road when you sell the vehicle, the
2000 model will be worth more than the "past century" vehicle.
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