...but that's the problem - basic transportation should be priced as such.
Th ES with CVT has to be considered base. As much as we all love manuals here, the stats show that they encompass less than 3% of all vehicles purchased in Canada - and that's including models that are ONLY offered in manual. ...and that's $15,148 with delivery, plus taxes = $17,155. Your Mirage SE with CVT is $20,545.
My argument still stands. Used vehicles are better in every way than buying this, even in base trim.
Since when is buy a car logical? Did you buy your XT used?
A used car is always a gamble, especially in a large market like Vancouver or Toronto, where there are a lot of shady curbsiders, and even shadier used car lots. It would be fairly easy to get into a car with a major accident in it's past and only find out about it after the fact.
Quite a few people buy new to avoid the hassle of doing the required due diligence on a used car. And if they keep it until it's compost, they won't be any worse off for it.
My XT is leased, brand new, paying 3.9% APR. Still, we got $3,100 knocked off the sales price, so our monthly payments with $0 down are $550, taxes in. I'm ok with that because I make enough that I don't need to consider buying economical transportation (especially considering Premium fuel required, and 19/24/21 US MPG).
We bought our loaded 2006 RX400h 1 year used, in the US. Here with tax, at the time, was $86k. We paid $42k all-in, and it had 12,986mi on it. Now 7 years down the road, not a single repair bill. I'd say used cars aren't 'expected' to be problematic.
If you are buying the Mirage, you are pressed for cash or don't have that much to spend on a car (whatever your reasons). Hence, that is what the used market is for. Just go to Autotrader and look for 1 year old Corollas or Civics. Dead reliable, come with the factory warranty, and can be had, with tax, for WELL under $20k. Remember, biggest depreciation is in 1st year and when you buy a car used, you don't have to pay $1700 for freight/PDI. You can therefore save over $5k compared to a new car after just 1 year. My statement stands. Used market is for those who want cheap transport, cars like this have no justification in North America. I understand in other parts of the world, it would make sense...just not here.
