r/UsedCars Aug 28 '18

Guide [Guide] What used car should I get for what budget?

659 Upvotes

[04/12/2025 UPDATE]

Prices updated!!!

The days of 3000 dollar cars also seems to be long over. You'll definitely want to spend at least 5000 dollars for even the oldest, reliable running car. I just helped someone with buying a car in this budget and we had a really hard time looking for one. Dealerships are not as willing to haggle below asking price as before so be prepared to set aside a lot of time in your search.


I've finally made the dashboard that will show the most optimal used cars for budgets under $5k, $10k, and $15k.

The dashboard is hosted in Tableau Public so everybody can freely look at it without creating an account. Just use the slide down menu on the right to select a body style and the radio buttons at the bottom to adjust the budget. To see which brands you want to pay closer attention to, hover your mouse over the logos. The numbers on the right side column represent Priority where 1 represent the more optimal choice than 2 and so forth.

Dashboard may not work in mobile. Please use a desktop computer to see this dashboard. Otherwise, feel free to ask me any questions here and I will answer them at my earliest convenience.

Link to the dashboard (Last updated 04/12/2025):

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/han.solo8717/viz/UsedCardashboard/Main

Since I have been seeing many of these questions pop up here (and other Subreddits), I'm willing to sacrifice some time I have left before I need to sleep to hopefully give you answers and make your search a little bit easier.

These prices are based on the following stipulations: You're buying from an individual OR a licensed (not franchised) dealer, the car has a clean title, mileage per year varies from 12.5-15k (Unless it's an older car), is in GOOD condition (by KBB standards), no modifications, base model or similar, and is able to run and drive with LITTLE to no problems (Windows may not work, seats may be ripped, glovebox is loose, etc.).

These cars & prices reflect the U.S. Market only.

Second and beyond choices are honorable mentions in case if you are opting for another car.

Priority is based on: Reliability, cost of ownership, and value in that order.


r/UsedCars Sep 18 '25

MOD POST Would you like to mod /r/UsedCars? Apply within

5 Upvotes

Would you like to mod /r/UsedCars? We are looking for active reddit users who want to help others with the buying & selling of Used Cars and have the free time to moderate this subreddit. Tell us about yourself in the comments.


r/UsedCars 1h ago

Buying 2007 Toyota Avalon

Upvotes

Been car shopping for quite a while now it’s been hard to find quality cars that have been maintained in my area within my budget. I came across this car a 2007 Toyota Avalon I know it’s super old but it stands out to me because its one owner with diligent maintenance. Dealer is asking 6995 I believe mileage is 130k would of Course get a pre purchase inspection. Even though it’s a Toyota should I just pass because of the age?


r/UsedCars 4h ago

Buying Thinking about buying my first used car

4 Upvotes

So I was thinking about pulling the trigger around the second or third third-quarter of next year about buying a 2021 F150 with a 5.0 king Ranch it’s currently being sold for $43,303 my plan is to save up $35,000 in cash using that as a down payment so I can have a low monthly payment since I have a good credit, I was hoping to have my loan for 36 months. so what’s y’all’s input?


r/UsedCars 6h ago

Buying Can you still find cheap cars

3 Upvotes

So long story short I have shit credit. Don’t want to pay 20% on a subprime. I live in greater Boston and don’t necessarily need a car but it would make a lot of things a lot easier. Is it still possible to get a decent used car under $5k? Looking for a Honda/toyota don’t really care what year not picky on that or cosmetic damage as long as it runs and drives. Seen a decent amount of cars on marketplace but how do I know I’m not getting scammed?


r/UsedCars 41m ago

Guide I have cash

Upvotes

We have the money to buy a 14k car without the need of a loan. This would be a first for us so unsure of how to best handle it. Is it best to still get a loan and pay the car off that way? Or would a better plan be to pay the car off entirely, and deposit "payments" into a savings account that could then go towards future repairs?


r/UsedCars 57m ago

Review Buying an suv

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r/UsedCars 19h ago

Buying Thinking about buying a cheaper car for a couple of years until the market corrects

31 Upvotes

Am looking for a used car...I could finance $15-20k, but most of what I'm finding in that range is high miles or older than they should he cars (2015 accords with 90k miles etc)

So part of me wants to find a subaru crosstrek, honda civic, mazda 3, corolla for $8-10 and pay it off real quick (would put $2k down) and that would buy me a couple of years until this wildly overpriced market comes down. I saw that used car sales are down for 6 or 9monthd straight, so surely pricing will start to reflect that, right? Im currently without a car (totaled my 2011 accord). So I don't have the luxury of not doing anything, I need to get a car asap.


r/UsedCars 1h ago

Buying Is this a scam ?

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Upvotes

The guy is saying lowest he can do is 5500 and that there is a nj tax fee of 375$ and a temp license plate fee of 200$ , this would be my first car


r/UsedCars 1h ago

Buying How's this Mazda? Any big buggaboos?

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Upvotes

There's links in the comment section of the original post. Any advice would help!


r/UsedCars 5h ago

HELP Private seller states title is in and signed under their older brothers name - Georgia

2 Upvotes

Going to see a car later today from facebook marketplace, when I asked about the title the seller claimed it is under their older brothers name and signed by him. I assume this is a big fat red flag and to just drop it?

Edit: I let them know I was no longer interested. Was probably fine, but not worth the potential headache for what was ultimately a decent priced, but old and dinged up car


r/UsedCars 2h ago

Buying Would you put your kid in a 2015 Cherokee?

1 Upvotes

I have a lot of experience with classic cars, so of course everyone expects me to have opinions on the new stuff...but I don't LOL.

Friend asked me whether I'd recommend a '15 Cherokee for his daughter. She needs something cheap-ish that will last a few years. I almost told him to find a clean YJ Cherokee if she really wants a Jeep, except the '15 would be much more safe.

So I googled it and see it has pretty mediocre reviews but nothing glaring. I also hear a lot of secondhand complaints about Jeep/Stellantis quality in general lately.

Yay or nay?


r/UsedCars 3h ago

HELP What to look for in cars?

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1 Upvotes

r/UsedCars 4h ago

Buying Holding Sales tax

1 Upvotes

Can you buy a car from a FB seller let’s say and they can hold sales tax but not offer a temp plate? I don’t know a ton about buying cars maybe a silly question.


r/UsedCars 7h ago

Buying Buy Here Pay Here Dealership?

2 Upvotes

Thoughts on them? I've got shit credit (620) and payment history (14 missed payments) from buying too expensive a car then not paying it until they inevitably repossessed it (was young and dumb).

I know they're typically shit, the one I'm looking at has good reviews (4.8) and say they report positive payments to credit bureaus. Financing wise they're a $500-1250 down payment with about 19% APR (bad, i know, but two credit unions deny me based upon my payment history and I don't wanna take yet another hard inquiry to try another) tried looking at carvana but their down payment and APR are even higher. Currently paying about the same amount in ubers in a month even once a week to work than I would be paying for this car I'm looking at.

I strongly doubt I'd go missing any payments on this, I make good money just made bad financial decisions, my thought process is while the APR would suck I'd be fixxing my credit, and assuming there's no penalty for early payments, try to get out of the APR via a refinance through a credit union when my payment history and credit improve via the car.

Car is a bit older for the price but I just need an a to b once or twice a week.

Appreciate any advice.


r/UsedCars 4h ago

Buying Mileage?

1 Upvotes

When buying a car is a good rule of thumb still 10-15k miles on it per year old the car is? What kind of things should I be looking out for when test driving it, besides the painfully obvious things anyways.


r/UsedCars 4h ago

Buying down to these two- what do you guys think?

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1 Upvotes

r/UsedCars 4h ago

HELP Illiterate about cars and need advice.

1 Upvotes

I'm brand new to buying a car, let alone a used car, and I need advice. I came across this 2016 Mazda CX-5 Sport and it is within my budget. However, I have no idea if this can be considered a good deal. I'm considering getting a pre-evaluation, but I'm also nervous about it being just a waste of money if the car condition is not good enough to last 5-6 years.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.


r/UsedCars 5h ago

Buying Thinking about pulling the trigger on a used Bentley

0 Upvotes

Been seriously considering getting a Bentley for a while now. Not sure if going new is worth the extra money or if a low-mileage used one makes more sense.

Found a 2022 Continental GT with around 18,000 miles that looks clean, full service history, and the interior is still in really good shape. Price is a lot more realistic than brand new.

Is the jump in reliability and features from a 2022 to a current model big enough to justify the higher price, or are the used ones holding up well enough that it’s not necessary? Also curious how much the maintenance costs actually jump once you’re out of the factory warranty.


r/UsedCars 7h ago

HELP Thinking of buying a used car

0 Upvotes

This is the marketplace description

"414,000 km on body

Oil change 4000km ago (Every 8000km) Spark plugs done at 400,000km Coolant flush done

Brake disks and pads done 4000km ago Engine was swapped ~212,000 km ago by previous owner.

3.0L V6 engine (strong and smooth) Manual transmission (fun + fuel efficient) Fully loaded EX-L trim (leather seats, sunroof, heated seats, etc.)

Runs and drives well. Straight piped...

*Spoiler came off but its in the truck if you want to re attach it.

Engine and transmission are solid. Comes with winter studded tires and all seasons. Interior is in decent shape for the age.

Has the usual wear and tear you'd expect for a 2004, but nothing major. Well maintained and ready to go.

Perfect for a commuter, first car, or someone looking for a cheap reliable manual with some power.

Asking $3500 OBO"

Thing is

Cracked bumper

Dead batt

Cracked windshield

Dead Seatbelt sensor on passenger

He said hell gove it to me for 3k is that good?


r/UsedCars 7h ago

Buying Tesla model 3 under 20k

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1 Upvotes

r/UsedCars 14h ago

Buying 2013 Prius

2 Upvotes

looking at a 2013 Toyota Prius with about 101,000 miles, a clean title, and a replaced hybrid battery. The car is in great condition and drives well.
The seller told me she’d be willing to take less, but she still owes $8,800 on a credit union loan, so she says she can’t go below that.
From a purely financial perspective, is paying $8,800 cash still the smart decision if I plan to keep the car for many years? Or is there any legitimate way to structure the deal so I could buy it for less than $8,800 despite the outstanding loan?


r/UsedCars 17h ago

HELP Should I buy a 2005 RAV4 for 2k?❓❓

3 Upvotes

Presuming that the seller is being honest about it being in good condition (I will be having a mobile mechanic come to take a look at it.)

I know RAV4s are good cars and they are sturdy, but I am just a little bit worried given its age and it has almost 250k miles on it.

Is at least worth it to check out?


r/UsedCars 18h ago

Selling Selling my 1985 Mercedes 380SL

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3 Upvotes

I own a 1985 Mercedes 380SL for $15k OBO. I'm trying to get rid of it before school starts up. I'm located in the Washington DC/NOVA area if anyone is interested.

I seriously need it sold ASAP so every offer will be considered, DM me if you are interested ot want more photos (I can only add one photo) Thank you for reading!!

Details:

Clean title

Second owner

Last oil & filter change: May 28th

Well maintained

Garage kept

Classic R107 body style

Strong & stable running V8 Automatic transmission Soft-top and hard-top convertible

Title in hand


r/UsedCars 14h ago

HELP Used Car Scrut

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1 Upvotes

is this bad?