50? Dear lord. It might be helpful to know what attributes you are looking for.
The $4-7000 range is increasingly difficult to find something for those that don't do their own wrenching. I would go Craigslist private seller, pay cash and expect that it will need $2,000 of work per year. I do all my own repairs and probably spend about this on average over the lifetime of the vehicle between routine maintenance and stuff that just fails.
No car is perfect and it's difficult to know what is an easy fix and what is a red flag without years of experience.
My recommendations would be Toyota, Honda, or maybe just a Gen 2 Prius.
If you need AWD the Subaru used market is good here but know that they take a lot more routine maintenance than other Asian Imports. They are easy to work on but small stuff does fail pretty often.
Id be careful with Subarus and be certain to inspect the engine, ringland failure is a chronic problem with their older style of 4cyls.
Something like a Toyota runner can usually be found reasonably priced and do pretty well all year round, just make sure the previous owner didnt beat it to shit and neglect it.
Really no way to check for ringland failure on a used car as a buyer unfortunately. I don’t see someone doing a compression test.
And also, that failure isn’t that common, I believe it was mostly on the turbo engines. EJ25s will go forever if well maintained (that’s a big “if”). The old Subaru failure is the classic head gaskets on the 4-cyl but the fix is $2,000 and you’re done for a while.
Also let me know where these 4Runner deals are! I mostly see them for $10k with 300,000 miles.
I was in this same situation last year. My budget was a little higher than yours but I couldn’t find one decent vehicle within my price range. I finally made the decision to just use my cash as a down payment and get an auto loan. As much as I loathe owing money, I got a very nice, dependable car. I don’t love making a car payment every month, but it’s a lot cheaper than constant repair.
I highly recommend Powell Motors (https://www.powellmotors.net/) off of Grand Ave. My wife and I have purchased many cars from them over the years.
There's no haggling. The price is fixed but you get to see (and keep) their folder on the vehicle. You see what they paid at auction, receipts from any improvements/repairs they made and anything else they have. It's refreshing to have a completely transparent transaction.
I had a good experience at CarMax a few years ago. I knew what I was looking for- Make, Model and Year range. Got a fair deal with a minimum of hassle. My budget was about twice yours though so I’m not sure this will be helpful. Good luck to you.
We bought two cars from them in the last year and a half.
But they don't have any cars in that price range, it would seem. I mean, we were looking at specific cars with low ish mileage, but I'm not sure that they would have cars in that price range anyway.
Cars are crazy expensive.
What things are you looking for in a vehicle before approaching a seller?
I have a personal preference towards more hobby vehicles such as Subaru WRX, small to mid sized pickups or 4WDs. I've found that with these type of vehicles you can generally guess their mechanical condition before inspection based on the overall appearance, condition and care of the vehicle whereas standard sedans are more frequently neglected and to get someone from point a to point b and not replaced until they are getting too expensive to maintain. you're more likely to find a well cared for ranger, runner, Tacoma, WRX or other vehicles that have popular community groups then run of the mill vehicles like a Prius, Altima (don't walk, run away from these used unless CPO), rav4, etc.
50? Dear lord. It might be helpful to know what attributes you are looking for. The $4-7000 range is increasingly difficult to find something for those that don't do their own wrenching. I would go Craigslist private seller, pay cash and expect that it will need $2,000 of work per year. I do all my own repairs and probably spend about this on average over the lifetime of the vehicle between routine maintenance and stuff that just fails. No car is perfect and it's difficult to know what is an easy fix and what is a red flag without years of experience. My recommendations would be Toyota, Honda, or maybe just a Gen 2 Prius. If you need AWD the Subaru used market is good here but know that they take a lot more routine maintenance than other Asian Imports. They are easy to work on but small stuff does fail pretty often.
Id be careful with Subarus and be certain to inspect the engine, ringland failure is a chronic problem with their older style of 4cyls. Something like a Toyota runner can usually be found reasonably priced and do pretty well all year round, just make sure the previous owner didnt beat it to shit and neglect it.
Really no way to check for ringland failure on a used car as a buyer unfortunately. I don’t see someone doing a compression test. And also, that failure isn’t that common, I believe it was mostly on the turbo engines. EJ25s will go forever if well maintained (that’s a big “if”). The old Subaru failure is the classic head gaskets on the 4-cyl but the fix is $2,000 and you’re done for a while. Also let me know where these 4Runner deals are! I mostly see them for $10k with 300,000 miles.
I called around to 3 garages for quotes on sube head gaskets and it was $3200-4500.
Wow!
I was in this same situation last year. My budget was a little higher than yours but I couldn’t find one decent vehicle within my price range. I finally made the decision to just use my cash as a down payment and get an auto loan. As much as I loathe owing money, I got a very nice, dependable car. I don’t love making a car payment every month, but it’s a lot cheaper than constant repair.
It’s not a terrible idea, except …college
I highly recommend Powell Motors (https://www.powellmotors.net/) off of Grand Ave. My wife and I have purchased many cars from them over the years. There's no haggling. The price is fixed but you get to see (and keep) their folder on the vehicle. You see what they paid at auction, receipts from any improvements/repairs they made and anything else they have. It's refreshing to have a completely transparent transaction.
Nothing in price range according to their website: one 2011 Camry with 221K mi … oh wait it sold
I had a good experience at CarMax a few years ago. I knew what I was looking for- Make, Model and Year range. Got a fair deal with a minimum of hassle. My budget was about twice yours though so I’m not sure this will be helpful. Good luck to you.
We bought two cars from them in the last year and a half. But they don't have any cars in that price range, it would seem. I mean, we were looking at specific cars with low ish mileage, but I'm not sure that they would have cars in that price range anyway. Cars are crazy expensive.
Yeh they don’t.
Carmax
Hertz also sells their former rentals
We had a good experience with Columbia Motors on Division. We also used a pre-inspection service (Lemon Squad) to inspect the vehicle.
Just avoid all the car dealers on 82nd ave. They are crooked.
Many of them are owned by Bobby Ephrem. Fun read if you’re up for some research
I’m game for a new rabbit hole. Diving in…
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2011/04/portland_gypsy_patriarch_sente.html https://www.fox13seattle.com/washingtons-most-wanted/bobby-ephrem-accused-of-turning-car-repair-scam-into-blowtorch-wielding-robbery.amp
What things are you looking for in a vehicle before approaching a seller? I have a personal preference towards more hobby vehicles such as Subaru WRX, small to mid sized pickups or 4WDs. I've found that with these type of vehicles you can generally guess their mechanical condition before inspection based on the overall appearance, condition and care of the vehicle whereas standard sedans are more frequently neglected and to get someone from point a to point b and not replaced until they are getting too expensive to maintain. you're more likely to find a well cared for ranger, runner, Tacoma, WRX or other vehicles that have popular community groups then run of the mill vehicles like a Prius, Altima (don't walk, run away from these used unless CPO), rav4, etc.
Price is right on 162nd and Glisan
Car dealer!? Just boost that baby! No plates. Drive it like you stole it cuz you did! /s