Right now a stripped 08 CE in this area with a 5spd can be had for 13,500, LE's with the 5 spd and the power options (windows, locks, CC) can be had for 14,500.
Dirt cheap machines to run, but not as stylish as the Civics and no standard ABS or side impact airbags. I've been looking a little and I think you can get a 5spd LX Civic for around 16,500.
I run an average of 40-45k miles a year. After dropping 90K on my 03 Tundra in 2 years, and then Katrina, I ran out and bought a used 03 CE in Sept. of 05 for 10.8K. They were few and far between at that time, and dealers would not deal on them. With the prices they way they are on the new ones at the moment I'm tempted to pick one up as mine has 118K on it now. I've averaged 39mpg year round in the Corolla (36/37 in the winter 40/42 in the summer), it has paid for itself in saved gas money, and my truck hasn't been run in the snow the last 2 winters .
The CE i bought has PW,PL,CC,A/C,5-speed & i paid $14400. My dealer says that the 08's are hard to find without the above.
I don't know if the LE's have the 5-star safety setup or not.
Yeah, the dealers claim they don't have more than $750 in them. haha
With gas prices the way they are, it won't take long to pay them off in a couple years or so.
The CE i bought has PW,PL,CC,A/C,5-speed & i paid $14400. My dealer says that the 08's are hard to find without the above.
I don't know if the LE's have the 5-star safety setup or not.
Yeah, the dealers claim they don't have more than $750 in them. haha
With gas prices the way they are, it won't take long to pay them off in a couple years or so.
Out here CE's with a 5spd are pretty much one flavor...stripped. If you want power anything you almost have to go LE, or have a dealer track a CE down for you from somepalce else.
Actually a Civic LX - with a nice list of options - can easily be had for under $17K. I just contacted an Internet sales person on an LX and they dropped the price from the MSRP of $18.3 to $!6.9 - even before any negotiation.
Right now dealers in general, and their online sales departments in particular, are very anxious to sell. Look at Toyota offering $1K off on Camry. Unheard of.
The 09 Corolla is out now. And dealers are actually trying to sell them at a target price of $1000 above Invoice. Nothing less. Still discounting somewhat however. But the hype on this redesigned Larger Corolla is keeping discounts rare. And if yu want the XLE Corolla with OE Nav and all the options ( MSRP=$24K) yu must wait for it to built for yu in Canada's Lexus Plant.
The 09 Corollas Price structure increased a good amount over the 08's.
Honda knows this and is blowing out Civics galore.
09 corolla LE just purchased MSRP of 19384 purchased after rebate and no tax, title, license for 16350 after 1250 rebate which was a little over 250 below invoice. Not bad for a pretty much loaded except leather and a few other trinkets really not needed like the S pkg. has which is another 1000 bucks just for fog lamps, leather steering wheel with radio controls, black seats, and rear spoiler and lower body fascia. Some dealers, but not much longer, are giving about 400 below invoice just to move them out in April 2008 before the 2010's are out in May, 2009. I didn't want to wait since the rebates are for sure going to go down in May, 2009 due to lack of 2009 Corolla inventory. Best time to buy one was in February 2009 when rebate was 1500 and around 16K plus tax out the door. I like the 09' better than the 08' due to newer sportier body style with 1.5 inches more legroom and width. May not seem like much, but in a small car like this, 1.5 inches makes a difference. You lose 1/2 inch of headroom, but as long as you are not over 6 feet tall, no problems.