There is no shortage of sellers scalping as much as they can for anything on 4 wheels. Like the thirty (30) year-old Honda del Sol's they are pushing for near $20K. Damn things weren't that much brand-new.

It is only going to get worse...

 

I actually thought that was a misprint and it was 19,072.5 miles, but after looking at a couple other Stinger gauge clusters, doesn't look like they go to 1/10 precision. To be fair, it looks like it's held up well for almost 200K

 

I'm in a bind with this situation and my youngest, who really, really wants a car this Fall for her second year in college. We told her some time ago if she comes up with $4,000 that we'll match that and help her get a used car. The problem with that plan is pretty obvious... $8000 gets you nothing but crap right now. In big ten-based numbers, $10K will buy you a 10 year old ECONOMY car with over 100K miles on it. The idea of getting her a Elantra or Sentra with 100,000 miles on it... makes me sick to my stomach.

So now we're starting to think maybe a new Kia Rio. Sure, it's a horrible car, but it would be brand new, with a 10/1000 drivetrain warranty. Problem with this approach is taking out a $10K loan, and we're already paying for college.

Then there's the other consideration... paying MSRP on a crappy little Kia Rio, and waiting for 3 months for it to get delivered.

The automotive market is going though some truly strange times, and I expect by the time things settle down it will be radically different than we've known it over the last 40 years.

 

It's a really crappy situation to be in now if you have to buy a car. Especially for people who have historically liked to buy couple year old used cars with low mileage. And with the push for EV vehicles, I'm not sure if the market is ever going to really correct itself. My plans to buy a second 'toy' car are basically dead.

It's a hard pill to swallow, but I'd rather a new Kia Rio than a 10 year old Sentra with 100K. On the plus side, this route will get her a reliable, fuel efficient car that can get her through college with no worries, even if it's more of a financial hit that is ideal.

 

That's where the wife and I are leaning. On average, a $10K loan for the difference would be $300/month for 3 years. I suppose that's OK.

This was never the plan, though. Damn it.

BTW, thanks, Lego. I shared your comment with the missus. (sigh... could be worse, and it's not so bad, really, as a hatch.)

 

That car has the fancy clutster. Mine (MY 22) has the basic 4 or 5" rectangular center display. And yes, no tenths in the odometer.

If I was remotely considering such a car, I would demand full maintenance records showing multiple trans & awd service (front diff, transfer case, trans and rear end). The carfax data is useless as usual (except for the significant front end damage).

Going for new is probably your best bet for peace of mind. Keep in mind, kia's warranty is a bit misleading. It's 10 years on the powertrain only. Which btw does not include an oil pressure sensor, as someone on the forum had a denied claim for one at 98K miles.



Depending on the car, there are some dealers selling them below msrp. I had to go about 60 miles away from here to find one selling the stinger below.

You're probably already familiar with this site, but here it is in case you're not.

https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/model...specifications

Penfed still has some of the best rates around - https://www.penfed.org/auto/rates .

 

Seems that private sales on Craigslist haven't caught up to what used car dealerships are doing to gouge the market. There are far more reasonable asks on CL.

 

Edit. The oil pressure issue turned out to be a result of an incorrect filter used (supposedly). Not sure how this is possible as the car takes a cartridge type.

@rochester, something else came to mind. The rio is a tiny subcompact tin can. Would you feel safe in one? My perspective is from a family member who received brain injuries a decade ago after getting tboned by a pickup truck in a chevy cobalt.

 

I do not envy you in this dilemma.
First, I am not a parent. Nor would I even attempt to presume your family dynamic. While I understand the "want" of a car- especially that "first car," does she actually "need" a car right now?

Would it not make better sense to wait and get a car when she graduates? This will lend time to set aside additional funds all the while giving the market time to come to its senses?

Again, no kids so take my thoughts/opinions with a grain of salt.

Best of luck whatever is decided.

 

In every objective way, I totally agree. A car is a want, not a need. Plus, no one bought me a car. Same for my wife. However:

It's a really small college, and because of our income, she goes to the back of the line for students who qualify for an on-campus job. (We're in that middle-class money hole for college... make too much money to qualify for aid, but not enough to really afford it without.) Also, the school's sports facilities are off-site, about 10 miles from the campus, and COVID killed their shuttle-bus intentions. (My kid is a student athlete.) Also, her boyfriend lives 30 minutes away.

Ask me that question two years ago, and I would have given you a binary response. However, values get more gray when life happens.

 

I have (family member) a 2001 Buick LeSabre for sale. 3k OBO. 130k miles one owner. Just freshened up with oil, coolant and brake fluid. Ugly as a $2 stripper and dribbles but unkillable if you top it off.

 

Toyota launched the Corolla GR yesterday. I know I'm somewhat in the minority for liking 'hot hatches' but it's more of a necessity than a preference as the manual AWD/RWD market continues to shrink at sub $70K+ prices. With Subaru killing off the STI, the only real options left are the Golf R, M3, Blackwings and new WRX. So it seems a bit out of nowhere for Toyota to launch a 300hp, 3200ish pounds, adjustable torque split (including a split with 70% power to the rear wheels) AWD 6MT hatch with Brembos and optional front and rear LSD. While I have no intention of jumping ship, it sure is nice to see something new playing in what otherwise seems to be a dying segment (STI, Evo, Focus RS etc).

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023...t-look-review/

You Tube

 

I saw that this morning on C&D, and was floored. I didn't know this was in the works. 300hp, AWD, 6MT... wow!

Too small for this old man, but damn that sure is impressive. So unusual, seeing a 3-cylinder engine with 3 exhaust tips.

 

Yeah, I too had no idea this was coming stateside. Sounds like 375 hp is doable on pump gas

Now, just need the aftermarket to come up with a dual outlet exhaust and a new rear diffuser to fill in those 3 holes lol.

 

2022 WRX Crosstour is going to be in bad shape if this is in the $35k range.

$50-55k after dealer markup*