We are about to buy a new Corolla and had basically the same experience as @LeastComplicated. We found a 2015 Certified Used Corolla with only 8300 miles on it and had almost signed the papers for it when we asked what a 2017 model would cost. The dealer had a (50 year anniversary of the model) promotion going on and with that rebate plus the standard discount the new one is only about $1300 more than the three year old one. Plus the interior is a better color. I couldn’t get over how small the price differential was. We drive cars into the ground (right now we are driving a 1994 Saturn sedan that we bought new!) so will get our money’s worth out of it for sure. I do wish it were a little sexier (my 90 year old mom’s last car was a Corolla, aack) but my practical side won out!
Congrats on a new car, OP!
Something for all of those owners of old/very old cars. Consider the recent standard features new cars of all price points have today compared to yours. So many features once only found on luxury cars now are standard for all. btw- having the best warranty shouldn’t be the deciding factor- the most reliable cars never need to use it.
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The reason Hyundai and Kia have to offer their 100k warranty was to entice customers away from Toyota and Honda. If they stopped offering it, many of their customers would drift back to the Japanese marques because there is a difference in quality and reliability.