Get a used Honda Fit from within the last five years -- should be pretty cheap, and they're quite reliable and efficient.

Anonymous wrote:Also wanted to add to expand your search radius for cars in this tight market. I’m in NYS, seller was from Mass and coming through NY before making a cross-country move. I drive out for test drive and then we met halfway for sale.

I did this a couple years ago - found a used car three hours away in NJ - but I was very particular - basically wanted my exact car that I was replacing just five years newer. I’m now in the market for my teen and I’m not that picky about make/model/mileage, so all expanding the range seems to do is make the choices bigger and I can’t spend hours and hours going to test drives to have something not work out.

I'm sure you can find deals from private sellers, but I think people are getting such good prices from Carvana etc. that they're pretty hard to find. Or they just price them higher than what Carvana will pay them, and use Carvana as a backup.

Buy from a private seller who can show you maintenance records. In 2016 I bought a 13 year old car for $1200 with 112k miles on it. It had impeccable service records (oil changes, all recommended mileage-based services, etc). I had to replace the windshield which was cracked ($300) and spent another $1k on some other items. Car is still going strong today. Just buy wisely and you’ll be fine!

If your husband is only driving the car a few times a week into the office I don't think that gas mileage should be your biggest concern here. If you are going to put 200 miles a week on this car, then a car that gets 25 MPG will only cost you $12 more a week in gas than a car that gets 40 MPG. That is $625 a year extra in gas, it wouldn't be worth spending more on a hybrid if you are driving the car that little.

Someone I know works in the auto industry and they said the best values right now are either brand new cars or cars older than 2008.

Everything in the middle -- '18 Corollas, '15 Camrys, '13 CRVs -- is waaaaaaay overpriced. Which is unfortunate since the category of lightly used cars used to be the best value out there.

Also wanted to add to expand your search radius for cars in this tight market. I’m in NYS, seller was from Mass and coming through NY before making a cross-country move. I drive out for test drive and then we met halfway for sale.

I just bought a 2014 Prius C Two with just under 72k miles for my teen—private sale at $10700, with recently purchased snow tires included. Got 50.8 mpg on drive home...I drive 30 miles each way to work...that got me so excited that I might drive this car one or two days/wk!

You CAN still find fair deals from private sellers.
Out of curiosity I put the VIN into Edmunds and Carvana. Edmunds offered 9900 trade-in, and Carvana 10200...and if you look up what Carvana is selling at, (they have a 2013 with 72k miles at $15590), you can save money if you have time and patience for working with the seller.

2021 Nissan Versa is like 19k brand new and a Chevy Spark is 16k brand new. Considering zero miles on odometer and full warranty. Better to buy a new cheap car than a 10 year old Honda with 120k miles.

Unfortunately buying a used car is a nightmare right now.

Ask me how I know this!
Lol.

For $10G, it is literally impossible to get a decent Honda or Toyota w/100,000 miles or less.

I looked high + low.
I finally got a Honda Civic w/60,000 miles on it.
Had to fork over $14,000 for it though due to supply and demand these days.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't want to be doing a 90 minute commute in a $10,000 car. Make sure you get good towing insurance and have aa ample car repair budget.

Perhaps OP could use the cheap car on the days when her DH goes to the office and he can use their regular car?

I’m in the market now for my my HS senior and you can definitely get a ten-year-old Civic or Accord for around $10K. Will have between 100K and 150K miles.