Used Cars - wtf (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/26/2026 10:40:31 AM EDT
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So I have been thinking about getting a 3rd vehicle. Used car prices are outrageous! Everything I've been looking at is $15-20k for a vehicle that:
Looking at: Used Honda Accords 2014-2017 Used Toyota Camrys 2015-2019 Used Mazda 3 2016-2019 Mainly want something comfortable, safe, and reliable that gets at least 30 mpg highway. Maybe my list of "demands" is pushing the price higher. New cars are almost tempting given how much these used vehicles demand with unknown issues and no warranty. |
Atypical Millennial
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I feel your pain, used car pricing is stupid. A few years back I paid about $12k for a 10 year old Odyssey with 120k miles and got a deal on that one b/c is was in nice shape, I could have paid about the same for a POS and a few $K less for a total junker. I'm not sure what it's worth today w/ 180k but it'll be on the market soon. Just checked, still around $5-$6k. |
| A base no options new 2026 civic is ~$25k. To me it makes no sense to spend 15-20k on a 5+ year old one with no warranty. Assuming if you buy new you'll probably keep it a least a few years longer than a used one the total cost of ownership amortized over length of ownership will probably be the same anyway. |
| $20k is the new$7500 |
ProTip: Never pick a fight with a tree planter. He swings a hoedad for 9 hours a day, carries 30-40 pounds of seedlings on his back, and has 12-14 friends just like him hiding out on the other side of the junk butt pile. They will fuck your shit up.
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Just broke in: Attached File |
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60-100k miles is the big thing you're paying for. Don't worry about milage, I'd buy a 4yo car with 200k miles before a 6-12yo car with 60k. Why, because age is harder on a vehicle than milage. Every part of a car is lubed while in use, nothing is lubed while it's sitting still. |
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Originally Posted By OregonShooter: Just broke in: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/76/Just_broke_in_jpg-3801444.JPG My friend is a Toyota certified master mechanic and works at the local dealership. He wouldn't buy any 4cyl Camry with more than 150k miles on it. He said the 4 cyl is a "200k mile engine". |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By djkest: My friend is a Toyota certified master mechanic and works at the local dealership. He wouldn't buy any 4cyl Camry with more than 150k miles on it. He said the 4 cyl is a "200k mile engine". Gonna need some more info. “Any 4cyl Camry” is pretty broad as MOST of the Camrys made for the past 40+ years were 4cyl models. And, all those years the Camry has a well earned reputation for boring reliability. My latest one is a 2017 and we have 180k+ miles on it. Out of the reliable Camrys we have owned, this one has been the most reliable and we have owned it since it was brand new. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Gonna need some more info. “Any 4cyl Camry” is pretty broad as MOST of the Camrys made for the past 40+ years were 4cyl models. And, all those years the Camry has a well earned reputation for boring reliability. My latest one is a 2017 and we have 180k+ miles on it. Out of the reliable Camrys we have owned, this one has been the most reliable and we have owned it since it was brand new. Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Originally Posted By djkest: My friend is a Toyota certified master mechanic and works at the local dealership. He wouldn't buy any 4cyl Camry with more than 150k miles on it. He said the 4 cyl is a "200k mile engine". Gonna need some more info. “Any 4cyl Camry” is pretty broad as MOST of the Camrys made for the past 40+ years were 4cyl models. And, all those years the Camry has a well earned reputation for boring reliability. My latest one is a 2017 and we have 180k+ miles on it. Out of the reliable Camrys we have owned, this one has been the most reliable and we have owned it since it was brand new. I know nothing either way, but this does not seem to refute even anecdotally the '200k mile engine' claim, especially when you claim this is your most reliable example. |
Joined:
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SC, USA
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With new car prices being so outrageously high, a lot of folks that would have bought a brand new car are buying newer used cars. That pressure forces the prices of used cars higher. Higher demand with a limited supply equals higher prices. Economics 101. It sucks for you, and for me, as I'm looking for a slightly used car myself, though I'm looking at Toyota, Camry and Corolla, with a heavy lean towards Mustangs. I really don't need a Mustang, I'm too old and too crippled up to get in and out, but I've driven them nonstop since 1987, and I drive a 95 GT convertible now. Old habits are hard to break. |
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Originally Posted By Redman556: With new car prices being so outrageously high, a lot of folks that would have bought a brand new car are buying newer used cars. That pressure forces the prices of used cars higher. Higher demand with a limited supply equals higher prices. Economics 101. It sucks for you, and for me, as I'm looking for a slightly used car myself, though I'm looking at Toyota, Camry and Corolla, with a heavy lean towards Mustangs. I really don't need a Mustang, I'm too old and too crippled up to get in and out, but I've driven them nonstop since 1987, and I drive a 95 GT convertible now. Old habits are hard to break. I've driven one of the new Mustang GTs, they are actually pretty nice. I have no idea what current Ford quality/reliability is like though. |
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Go look at the "transmission replacement" thread, there are multiple people in there that keep posting "Just take that $5-6k and go buy a used toyota/honda that will last another 100k miles". $5k gets you an absolute piece of shit, except for some very rare finds. This isnt the early 2000s anymore. |
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Originally Posted By Morgan321: New civic or corolla are both under $25k and even have warranties. I hear you and it's an appealing choice. The hidden cost in Colorado is that we get absolutely slammed with Registration and insurance (hail claims). I'll bet it would be $700 on a $25k car to register it. It does get cheaper each year but then they raise the rates every year. :/ Our 2019 Mazda was still $320. We are looking at 2019-2020 Camry Hybrids for around $20k. |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By Mike327: I know nothing either way, but this does not seem to refute even anecdotally the '200k mile engine' claim, especially when you claim this is your most reliable example. I’m not refuting anything. Don’t invent things in my post that aren’t there. Reread the first line in my post. I’m looking for more information that the OP might be able to provide or may not have. I don’t know what the OPs friend might know hence the reason to ask for more info. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By F1PRB22: Friend of mines 1999 Honda CRV expired, so after a month of searching, she chose a 2025 Honda HRV. It's still port injected instead of DI or both DI and Port. I absolutely do not like stand alone DI in an engine and they seem to be far more problematic then Port when it comes to internal engine wear and nasty ass intake valves that, on numerous engine designs, WILL require intake removal and valve cleaning between 50 and 75K miles. I'm usually astounded at how nasty the build up is compared to no build up at all no matter the miles with Port injection. Personally, I'll take Port FI 100% of the time over DI unless it's in a high HP vehicle. And turbos are more fun but won't be taking the reliability record any time soon from a well designed N/A engine nowadays with all the engine bullshit that is being used. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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It’s because the price of new cars have gotten stupid expensive. I paid $36,500 for my 2015 Mustang GT Premium package new. Only option I added was the spare tire @ $200. That same car today is over $50,000. My son just showed me a YouTube last week of a car salesman showing either a ‘15 or a ‘16 he sold for $30,000. Granted, it was low miles, less than 50k and clean, clean, clean. Garage kept, very little wear to the interior. But 10-11 years later it sold for $6500 less than what the owner paid for it. Right now with the miles on mine (109,000) it’s about a $20-25k car if cleaned up and detailed. Big plus is that it’s owned since new by a one owner boomer. Never raced, never done a burnout. |
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Gonna need some more info. “Any 4cyl Camry” is pretty broad as MOST of the Camrys made for the past 40+ years were 4cyl models. And, all those years the Camry has a well earned reputation for boring reliability. My latest one is a 2017 and we have 180k+ miles on it. Out of the reliable Camrys we have owned, this one has been the most reliable and we have owned it since it was brand new. I'll put it another way. Any car with 200k+ miles may need: Alternator Water Pump Transmission New Brakes New shocks/struts Which is great if you can do those things yourself and have the time. As far as the 200k mile 4-cyl goes, he's been working at the Toyota dealership for 8 years, so he sees almost every car to come into the dealership. |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By djkest: I'll put it another way. Any car with 200k+ miles may need: Alternator Water Pump Transmission New Brakes New shocks/struts Which is great if you can do those things yourself and have the time. As far as the 200k mile 4-cyl goes, he's been working at the Toyota dealership for 8 years, so he sees almost every car to come into the dealership. I’ll go a step farther. Almost any vehicle, doesn’t matter the brand, will need those things (except for a replacement transmission) by 200k. All those are normal things that are likely to fail at or even before 200k. I would love to know what he sees failing soon after 200k in Camrys. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: I’ll go a step farther. Almost any vehicle, doesn’t matter the brand, will need those things (except for a replacement transmission) by 200k. All those are normal things that are likely to fail at or even before 200k. I would love to know what he sees failing soon after 200k in Camrys. Isn't that almost exactly what I said? I can ask him what he's seen. |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By djkest: I can ask him what he's seen. The first couple years of the 4 cylinders sometimes burn a bit of oil due to a new oil ring design, but it isn't a mechanical reliability issue. Some of the v6 engines came with a rubber oil line on some models and there was a recall to replace the rubber hose with a metal line. Apart from those issues both engines are effectively indestructible, buy with confidence. |
| I got a brand new 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback last year for $16.5k. No miles on it. It gets 40MPG and the insurance is cheap. Unfortunately that was the last year of the new ones. |
Night ain’t scary when you don’t fear death. And you can’t suffocate when you don’t need breath. I’m chilling so hard the fire can’t fade me. Cause I’m all good with the one who made me.
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I was about to start the exact same thread. I've been looking for a lightly used Accord, Camry, or CR-V for my wife and the prices are insane. I don't understand it at all. People paying these prices are retarded. I've seen many 2-3 year old cars with 50-60k miles that are within 3k or so of the cost of a new one. Who would buy that? If you step back to 5-7 year old cars, which I'm fine with, they are still 80% of the price of a new one. With the cost of repairs these days, one repair will easily have you at the same price or more than a new car would have cost and they are at the age/mileage where they are going to start needing repairs. My wife doesn't really drive enough that it makes sense for me to buy something new. However, I'd like something a little nicer than her current 25 year old Accord. We'll probably either end up just keeping what we have or buying something new. |
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Originally Posted By Quicky06: It’s a combination of new car prices being idiotic, people not wanting or trusting the tech in newer cars. And you wanting mostly, what are the reliable options left. I don't disagree on the new car prices being idiotic, but it's nothing like used car prices. Many of the used cars that I'm seeing that at several years old are still 90% of what a current production new model costs. Step back to 5-7 years old and I'm still seeing a lot of them for 80% of the new car price. |
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Originally Posted By slowr1der: I was about to start the exact same thread. I've been looking for a lightly used Accord, Camry, or CR-V for my wife and the prices are insane. I don't understand it at all. People paying these prices are retarded. I've seen many 2-3 year old cars with 50-60k miles that are within 3k or so of the cost of a new one. Who would buy that? If you step back to 5-7 year old cars, which I'm fine with, they are still 80% of the price of a new one. With the cost of repairs these days, one repair will easily have you at the same price or more than a new car would have cost and they are at the age/mileage where they are going to start needing repairs. My wife doesn't really drive enough that it makes sense for me to buy something new. However, I'd like something a little nicer than her current 25 year old Accord. We'll probably either end up just keeping what we have or buying something new. When the market is telling you to buy new that's what you need to do. Used car prices have come down from the COVID peak. If you are trying to get into a newer car at a heavily depreciated entry and she doesn't drive much you may consider a used EV. how long does the next car need to last? Is the next car the "last one"? |
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62 and just bought my retirement toy. 2012 Mustang GT 6speed all black, only $11k. Currently seeing 22 MPG range if I drive it nice. LOVE the car, power is awesome and who doesn't like 400HP and a 6 speed? Kind of reminds me of my first car, 1970 competition orange Mach 1. Joke is the wife drives a Honda Crosstour just a 2wd. Lucky if she see's over 20-21 MPG. The winter car Honda Pilot never gets over 20, upper teens most the time. Sure glad I got the V-8. |
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Originally Posted By mak0: I've driven one of the new Mustang GTs, they are actually pretty nice. I have no idea what current Ford quality/reliability is like though. "Nice" is a sales feature, but it's long term reliability that takes care of you. I expect the incoming 2027 federally-mandated nannyware to keep used car prices up. Nannyware is my nobuynary mode trigger.  Everyone is starting to see what's happening in America... And It's Making People Angry |
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Originally Posted By slowr1der: I was about to start the exact same thread. I've been looking for a lightly used Accord, Camry, or CR-V for my wife and the prices are insane. I don't understand it at all. People paying these prices are retarded. I've seen many 2-3 year old cars with 50-60k miles that are within 3k or so of the cost of a new one. Who would buy that? If you step back to 5-7 year old cars, which I'm fine with, they are still 80% of the price of a new one. With the cost of repairs these days, one repair will easily have you at the same price or more than a new car would have cost and they are at the age/mileage where they are going to start needing repairs. My wife doesn't really drive enough that it makes sense for me to buy something new. However, I'd like something a little nicer than her current 25 year old Accord. We'll probably either end up just keeping what we have or buying something new. This is not a recent trend. Back in 2003 when we were looking to buy our first Honda, an Odyssey mini van, it was the same thing. Looking at a 2000 it was about $5000 less, but after financing a used car vs. financing new with Honda Credit at .9%, the new car was less per month. Used car financing is a much higher %. |
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OH, USA
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Originally Posted By Cooper1: Damn cash for clunkers  I know you’re joking, but I don’t see how anyone could seriously still blame that for dumb prices today. Cash for clunkers was 2009… 17 years ago. And it primarily decimated cars that were already 10-20 years old at the time. Used cars are so expensive because the cheapest new cars are $20k-$25k and stuffed full of unreliable CVTs and 3-cylinder hamster-wheels. Most actually decent or well equipped new car is pushing $40k new. |
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Watching Fox and Friends this morning. Griff was talking about his 20 yo truck that he will do what ever it takes to keep it on the road. He hates the nanny’s and the bright computer screen dashboards. Gotta agree. They were talking about the consumer pushback on all of the tech installed in cars these days. As long as I can keep my ‘90 F-250 alive, I will. I keep thinking about my ‘15 Mustang. Is it time to give it up? But damnit, it doesn’t have all that nanny shit shaking my steering wheel, slamming on my brakes, telling me to pull over and get some sleep, wipe my ass after that fart, etc. It does have traction control nanny’s, but that’s a good thing with 450 HP.  I’m getting back into RC airplanes and I’m either going to need a fold up convertible top for the truck or a minivan. Wife was giving me shit the other day when I mentioned a minivan for my hobby. “Oh, now you need 4 cars just for your needs?”  I have my DD, the ‘15 Mustang, the F-250 and the ‘66 Mustang in the garage. I did confess the ‘15 will probably have to go at some time. But then I drove it to lunch yesterday. Shit. I really enjoy that car. |
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Just bought a 23 nissian armada 4wd SL with 60,000 miles for $38,000. I felt it was a good deal. A new one was going to be $70,000 Attached File |
| I have a 20-year-old Ford Explorer that I paid $7.5k for used, that I bought 11 years ago with an insurance payout from a wrecked Escape with rust. It had 110K miles on it. If I were to attempt to replace it with the same-year Explorer with similar mileage to what I currently have, just under 140k, the replacement would cost $5,5K to $6,8K in my area today. If I looked out of my area and went shopping in a snow-free/salt-free area I would expect to pay at least another 2K. Needless to say, I'm not looking to replace it; I'm maintaining it. |
Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one's thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power. F. Douglass
| I've used Carvana for both my last two vehicles. Both were better than 95% condition and below market. Both came with new tires/brakes and you have 7 days and 400 miles to reject the vehicle. The last one was a Japanese luxury full sized SUV that was 3 years old, lease return, and it was only 45% of the original sticker price. After a month, I've found nothing that makes me regret the purchase. Carvana gets some grief online but I had two experiences, one before their bankruptcy, and the other one a month ago, that were good. Never have to deal with a salesman either, just a wrecker driver delivering it to your door completing a checklist that lets you know that you have the option of not accepting the vehicle. Last month I walked off two dealer lots because of the piranha salesmen. |
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Originally Posted By 94TBlazer: Could you move it outta the way so we can see the old Ford behind it? That’s my 88 F150 straight 6 manual 2wd. It has like 100,000 miles and I’m the 3 owner technically. Was my uncle’s then my dad bought half of it and it was the farm truck for years and sat in a barn and wasn’t used all that much. Dad gave me his half in it and I bought out my uncles half for $500 in 2010. Good truck. Probably the best riding truck I’ve ever had. Also have a Lincoln town car with like 80,000 miles and looks brand new but will be selling it since the armada is taking its place. Attached File |
| we all are looking for those last of the good cars. . new cars are a dumpster fire. almost everything has a CVT, and an engine that will fail at 60K. tons of cars have variable displacement. I was shopping for a new car for my daugter and have just about given up. Mazda is the only real car brand with new small cars that don't have a CVT |
callmenoshie: "saying that females have the potential to be "bat shit crazy" is like saying the sky has the potential to be blue."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
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I have a 2016 Honda Accord V6 I bought new for $29K and is has 40K miles on it. I just replaced the rear camera and need to replace the passenger side mirror and camera. The suspension squeaks when I go over a bump, and I probably need new brakes. Yet still, I'd rather put money towards fixing it up than buy a new or used vehicle. |