Hey everyone! I’m 20 and just got my driver’s license through a driving school. I’m looking to buy my first used car, but I honestly have no idea where to start.
My budget is $10,000–$13,000. I’m mainly looking for something reliable, safe, good on gas, and something that can last me for several years. I don’t care about having anything fancy.
The biggest issue is that I don’t have anyone who knows much about cars who can come with me to look at one. I also don’t currently have reliable transportation to travel to different dealerships. I’m pretty inexperienced with buying cars, so I’m worried I could easily get talked into buying something with hidden problems.
I’d prefer to buy from a reputable dealership rather than Facebook Marketplace or a random private seller.
I’m hoping people here can give me some advice:
- What car models would you recommend in the $10k–$13k range?
- Are there any reputable dealerships around SIUE/Edwardsville that you would recommend for a first-time buyer?
- Are there dealerships or companies that allow you to complete most of the purchase online and deliver the car to your home?
- Has anyone here bought a car through CarMax, Carvana, or another online dealership? How was your experience?
- If I find a car online, is there a way to have an independent mechanic inspect it before I buy it, especially if I can't easily get to the dealership?
- Is there anything specific I should look out for or ask about when buying a used car for the first time?
I know this might sound like a lot of questions, but I’m genuinely new to this and would really appreciate any advice, recommendations, or personal experiences. Thank you!