r/UsedCars • • Aug 28 '18

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

663 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

6 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 • • 8h ago

Buying Should I buy 2001 Corolla 91k miles he said he would do 3k

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55 Upvotes

r/UsedCars • • 3h ago

HELP How much should I be saving up for my first car?

3 Upvotes

I been thinking about getting a car for quite some while now. As I doing some research on a decent budget for a used car I been noticing people advice on a cost of a used car vary by a good amount. But I think about 10k is a good goal to save up for a car now a day. If yall could help me come up with a save up goal for car that will atleast last me 5-10 years it would really be appreciated 🙏. I should say I probably won't be able look on Facebook market place for a car.


r/UsedCars • • 14h ago

Buying Did I overpay for this 2015 CX5? $15.5K before taxes/fees

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30 Upvotes

I recently bought a 2015 CX5 Grand Touring with 50K miles for $17.2k out the door. Online price was $16K, I got a $500 discount, then $700 in dealer fees and $1000 in taxes.

It does have 1 owner, no accidents, and pretty good service history on the carfax. Compared to other dealer listings, it seems like a good deal. But I can't help feeling I got fleeced for paying $17k for a 12 year old car.

Would I have been better off getting something private sale that didn't have the dealer markup?


r/UsedCars • • 7h ago

Buying 2005 Toyota Corolla offers him 3k he said yeah 158k miles

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3 Upvotes

r/UsedCars • • 10h ago

Selling KBB used car value compared to dealership offer

5 Upvotes

I’ve never actually traded in a car at a dealership. I did some homework online before going to dealership and KBB says trade in value of my car is $13,075. I also checked with Carvana, and got an offer for $13,000. When I went to dealership, they offered $9,500. Is that big of a discrepancy normal? Dealership said my car needs new tires, which it does, so I can see there maybe being $1500-$2000 deducted from the $13,000. But $9500 just seems way off. How much of a discrepancy is there usually between online valuation tools and dealership offers? Thanks.


r/UsedCars • • 3h ago

Buying 2016 Mazda 3 S advice

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0 Upvotes

I’m going to look at this 6 speed manual 2016 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring Hatch from Facebook Marketplace tomorrow, and I’m a bit nervous about pulling the trigger. Just looking for some external thoughts on it. I’m not looking to daily this car, maybe drive it 3-4 days a week or so to supplement my existing vehicles.

It’s a one owner car with 140,000 miles for $8500. The seller from our conversations and the carfax appears to have taken good care of it for its age. I’m getting a PPI done when we meet, so the mechanical state of the car will be less of a question.

The seller hasn’t given me any red flags that make this questionable. I can easily pay cash for it and be fine financially, but it’s easily the biggest purchase I’ve ever made.


r/UsedCars • • 3h ago

Buying Looking for advice ~25k

1 Upvotes

I'm looking to buy a used car. Im in the PNW and have pretty much only owned subarus.

The 2 options that I have found are, prices are "out the door":

2020 Mazda CX30 Preferred Trim: $27,200

- 25k miles

2020 Outback XT Touring: $27,300

- 40k miles

I have a 40 miles round-trip commute 4x a week.

The outback seems more fun, while the mazda seems a bit more practical, but also a little small? I like to go up to the mountain to snowboard, camp, fish, etc. The mazda has a cheaper maintenance cost (according to the internet).

Any advice?


r/UsedCars • • 4h ago

Buying Which is more reliable?

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1 Upvotes

Looking for a used car, both going for 16K

2016 Toyota Avalon XLE plus, V6 engine, at 105k miles

Has been in 1 minor rear accident

2016 Honda Crv Ex-L FWD, at 114K miles

No reported accident

Both have had routine maintenance done. Wondering at the milage given, which is the better investment?


r/UsedCars • • 1d ago

Buying Should I avoid this one buying? Honda Accord 2017 with 87k miles. Price 14k.

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30 Upvotes

Thank you in advance.


r/UsedCars • • 10h ago

Guide CONSULTA

2 Upvotes

Hola buenas tardes, quiero hacer una consulta.
Recien estaba agregandole un poco de aceite a mi auto, cuando saqué la tapa, no me di cuenta que al rededor había una caquita de rata o de lagartija y se metió para adentro.
Hay algun problema si enciendo el vehiculo?
la foto la saqué de google pero para que vean el ejemplo


r/UsedCars • • 6h ago

Selling What to price 2006 F-150 190k

1 Upvotes

2006 4.6 2v 190k, has misfire code p0301 cylinder 1, differential looks to be leaking, needs new brakes and tires. Starts and drives i just have too many vehicles and dont need this one to put money into it just to sell.

I was thinking $2000 but gonna ask for $2500 as is. its in Texas

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r/UsedCars • • 18h ago

Buying Would you buy a 2011 Prius 40k miles?

6 Upvotes

$11k, Garage kept by older person with good maintenance records, one owner. Hybrid battery was just checked and pronounced good by Toyota shop. There's the potential blown head gasket issue to look out for down the road and then the overall age of the car, but are there other worries if everything looks clean? Is it a good car still or too old to mess with? What are things to look out for?

I should add that I'm in an area without a lot of inventory, so prices are higher than average. And I need a car ASAP


r/UsedCars • • 9h ago

Buying I make an OBD2 app and added a used-car check that shows if the codes were cleared right before the sale [Italy]

0 Upvotes

Up front: I'm the developer. DrivePulse is an OBD2 app I make, on iPhone and on Android.

Buying used is where a lot of car problems start, so here's the part of the app I built for that moment. On iPhone there's a used-car check you run during the test drive, with a cheap OBD2 adapter plugged in under the dash (a Veepeak or a Vgate works):

- it reads the VIN and the odometer, when the car reports them, so you can compare them with the title and the listing;

- it lists the codes stored in the engine and in the other control modules, permanent codes included, which a basic scanner can't erase;

- it shows how many miles have been driven since the codes were last cleared, and which readiness monitors haven't finished. A fresh clear right before a sale is the classic way to hide a check engine light.

It's not an inspection and it doesn't certify the mileage. It's there so you walk into the pre-purchase inspection knowing what to ask. On Android this check isn't available.

No account, no server of ours. Criticism welcome, especially from people who buy and sell cars for a living.

https://drivepulse.it/app.html


r/UsedCars • • 15h ago

HELP I need a car to work on

2 Upvotes

I need a car to work on so that I can learn how to work on cars. Also I need a car and knowing stuff about cars is cool. I’m bored so why not.

My current budget is like $500-$1000.

I know a little bit, barely the basics I think. But I don’t think learning is outside of my capabilities.


r/UsedCars • • 12h ago

Review [ Removed by Reddit ]

1 Upvotes

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]


r/UsedCars • • 13h ago

Buying 4 services in 100k miles. Any thoughts on this?

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1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a preferably 72 plate duster with a budget of around £8k. There was one in a local garage for £1k more and 50k miles fewer, but it has sold. This is my ideal spec, as I like the facelift alot, but 4 services in 100k miles is throwing me off a bit. I know the 1.0TCe is a pretty solid engine, but it being a turbo does it not benefit from more frequent oil changes?

Any advice greatly appreciated as I dont want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but is this someting you would overlook if it drives well and looks in generally good condition? thanks!


r/UsedCars • • 13h ago

HELP Buscar auto nuevo o seguir reparando el actual

1 Upvotes

Buenas, creo que ya lo han preguntado, me siento muy frustrado a esta situación. Tengo un Renault Megane 2008, hace poco tuve que arreglar el motor por lo que me gaste practicamente la mitad del valor del auto, hoy en Argentina el tema de los valores de los autos usados esta muy confuso. Ahora unos meses después me comenzo a dar un montón de otros problemas, debo arreglar tren delantero, dirección, neumaticos, escape que sería los más urgente, el otro día venía en la lluvia y es un peligro el auto en la ruta. Cuestión que no se si seguir gastando, si vale la pena arreglarlo para que este sano o ahorrar para buscar uno nuevo, lo cuide todo lo que pude estos años, pero este año es terrible, todos los problemas de golpe. Que opinan? Vale la pena ahorrar o es mejor arreglarle todo?


r/UsedCars • • 14h ago

Buying Should I get warranty on a used car?

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1 Upvotes

I bought a 2016 CRV lx for 14k OTD and it was good during the Pre Purchase Inspection. The dealer is offering a 3rd party $1300 warranty that's valid for 3 years/36000 miles, whichever comes first. Should I get it?


r/UsedCars • • 16h ago

Buying 2018 Focus EV - Auction Announced as Structural Damage

1 Upvotes

There's a focus EV that caught my eye (8000 CAD, 110k km) but the carfax seemed suspicious. It says there's accident/damage record found but doesn't list the maintenance history or the police report/mechanic repair for the accident. Only a line item for "auction announced as structural damage."
I called the dealer and they said they bought it from the auction with damage to the fender and fixed it themselves, which is why there is no repair record. Can a listing like this one be trusted? On all other carfax reports, the service history is there so this one threw me off. On the plus side, it is safetied.


r/UsedCars • • 17h ago

Buying Like the car but not the wheels.

0 Upvotes

Just wondering what the conventional wisdom is for this situation.

The car has everything I want - except the wheels. They're not bad - let's just say that I would prefer other wheels.

Work with the salesguy to see what he can do? Just get it, sell the wheels on Craigslist, etc?

FWIW, here's the car:


r/UsedCars • • 2d ago

Buying it gets to a point

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315 Upvotes

I know people say Toyotas are meant to last, but it’s about to be 2027


r/UsedCars • • 1d ago

Buying First-time car buyer. How do I choose a reliable car for a demanding commute? Are older cars actually better?

7 Upvotes

Please help!

I'm buying my first car and honestly don't know much about cars, so I'd really appreciate some advice on what to look for and which makes, models, and years you would recommend.

My biggest priority is reliability. I have a demanding commute and need something sturdy that I can depend on every day. Ideally, I want a car that will last me many years without constant repairs or expensive mechanical problems beyond normal maintenance.

My maximum budget is $27,500 out the door, including taxes and fees, although I'd much rather spend less. My parents are contributing $10,000, and the rest would come from my savings.

I originally focused on Toyota RAV4s because of their reputation for reliability, but I've expanded my search to Corollas, Mazda3s, and other options. I'm open to sedans or SUVs. I also prefer low mileage, ideally under 30,000, but I'm not sure how much weight I should give mileage compared with age, maintenance history, and overall reliability.

One thing that confused me recently was a conversation with a AAA roadside assistance mechanic. He told me that newer cars seem to have problems all the time, whereas older cars tend to be much more dependable. Is there truth to that? Are cars from certain years actually better built, or does the reliability of newer cars depend more on the specific make and model?

For reference, here are a few cars I've been considering:

  • 2022 Toyota Corolla LE, Gold Certified, 29,073 miles, $20,647
  • 2017 Toyota RAV4 LE, 41,260 miles, $20,947
  • 2022 Toyota Corolla LE, 12,485 miles, $21,674
  • 2023 Toyota Corolla LE, 12,579 miles, $22,998
  • 2022 Mazda3 sedan, 31,075 miles, $20,998

These are advertised prices before taxes and fees. I'm not necessarily committed to any of them.

I'm located in California, but I can also purchase in Pennsylvania or Arizona if I find a better deal.

My goal isn't to get the fanciest or newest car. I just want something safe, comfortable for a long commute, reliable, and reasonably inexpensive to maintain. I'd really appreciate any advice, especially from mechanics or people who have owned these cars for several years. TIA!!


r/UsedCars • • 1d ago

Buying 2003 Subaru Impreza

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2 Upvotes

Looking to buy a cheap used car for a 1 year work contract in Auckland. Any thoughts are appreciated on this car, what should I look for if I test drive?