I’m a first-time car buyer and feeling pretty anxious about the whole process. I’ve been looking for a used Honda or Toyota SUV, and this one seems like a good option (details below). The seller gave me the VIN and is okay with me taking it to my mechanic before buying.
My budget is $15k (the CR-V is listed for $16k, but the seller is willing to take $15k).
I know the current market is rough, and this might be overpriced, but I need a car soon since I start work next week. I also can’t afford to spend a lot on repairs or maintenance. Someone told me the car might be worth $10k or less based on the year and mileage, but I don’t know much about cars. Honestly, I have no idea where you’d even find a car like this for $10k.
Any thoughts, concerns, or advice would be really helpful!
About This Vehicle:
Driven 110,000 miles
Automatic transmission
5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating
Fuel type: Gasoline
28 MPG city · 34 MPG highway · 31 MPG combined
2 owners
Paid off with a clean title
No significant damage or problems
Seller’s Description:
2018 Honda HR-V LX AWD with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine
You should get a Carfax report to check if the car has been in any accidents. I recently bought a 2010 CRV with 92k miles and no accidents (one owner). I usually look for cars with low miles and newer years, but everyone has different preferences. Overall, this deal looks pretty solid.
I work at a Honda dealer, and I recommend checking that the 1.5 turbo engine has a good oil change history. We’ve been seeing some recent problems with head gaskets leaking coolant. Make sure the previous owner can show proof of all oil changes, and get a coolant system pressure test before buying a 1.5 turbo. The 1.8L and 2.0L HR-V engines seem to be more reliable. Just my two cents.