transmission was already feeling like it was struggling to shift gears. There were plastic trim on the interior that was already broken or coming off. The the interior looked worn. But it was the transmission issues that concerned me more than anything else. It felt like a cheap, poorly built car.

The car you are looking at might have been immaculately taken car of, so your experience might be different. The car we were looking at was actually at a dealership, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were just trying to unload it.