Which car to potentially buy and which 2 avoid?

Toyota Matrix 2009 93k miles -$5,000

Honda Civc 2009 53k miles -$5500

Ford focus 2014 97k miles -$5000

When I get the car do they just sign the title over and I pay, that's it? Or.

Get the Civic. Pay a mechanic to look it over before parting with your money. And ASK for the title first and check if it is legit.

I'd go with the Ford, because unlike the other two choices, it's a young car.

I wouldn't buy a ten year old anything for that kind of money. Well, maybe a ten year old Maserati.

My father in law had a Focus that got to 14 years of age. The newer Focuses are even better.

How confident are you that the miles are correct?

If very, the honda is the easy choice assuming they are all in equal condition which I'm sure is NOT the case.

A prior wreck and/or paint work can devalue a $5500 car by $1100+. More if its prior salvage.

But, you should have it checked by a mechanic first.

Before paying, you need to be 100% sure the sellers name is on the FRONT of the title printed in and that it matches his drivers license. Then, on the back he signs it over to you. Its very important to ensure he signs only in the correct space and that there are no mark outs.

If his name is not printed on the front of the title, its not his car to sell and you should not buy it.

If your mechanic says no to the Honda, the toyota would be next. Ford last.

-------------

I need to touch more on CONDITION. That is what car values are based on. A dogged out car can easily be worth half what a nice one despite the same miles.

The Civic is the best choice for several reasons.

1) Honda generally makes reliable vehicles.
2) Excessive oil consumption is a common problem in Toyotas with 4-cylinder engines.
3) The dual-clutch automatic transmission in the third generation (2011-2018) Ford Focus is unreliable.

As with any used vehicle, have a mechanic inspect it before handing over your money.

On the surface of it, I'd say the 2009 Civic would be the be3tter choice, but year and mileage alone does not tell us whether a vehicle is worth buying or not. It depends on the mechanical condition and how well the car has been maintained by the previous owner(s).

You need to have the vehicle thoroughly inspected and test driven by someone who knows what they are doing, which often means paying an independent repair shop to look at a car for you if you don't have a friend who has the knowledge, skills and tools to do a proper job of it.

If you pay in cash, then you get the title. If you finance a car, the bank or finance company keeps the title until the loan is paid off.

If all are same condition (mechanical and aesthetic)then probably the honda. Better car and should have the best resale value when you want to sell

I'd go with the Honda, but those prices sound almost too good to be true.