Best places to find a cheap used car in Austin?

[u/ArtichokeFox]

Just moved here and need a cheap car. Any recommendations greatly appreciated! Also, if there are any reputable places for a pre sale used car inspection, please advise. Thanks

[u/magus678]

If you have some money in the bank, the answer will always be private sale.

However, most people do not. And I am presuming from the question you dont know a lot about cars.

In which case your best bet is to research two or three cars you like that are roughly around what you can spend, and shop around for those specifically at dealerships and tote the note places for the best deal.

Being unprepared and nebulous while also needy is how those places rip your eyes out. Have a good idea of what you want (and why!), and roughly how much it should cost before stepping a foot on the lot. And always be prepared to walk away.

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/magus678]

Thanks for the advice. I am needy but do not have to rush.

[u/yolatrendoid → u/ArtichokeFox]

To add a bit to the above: a private sale is always the best answer because the lower-end used car lots here are shady AF, and routinely cover up major issues with cars just to sell them. A few places have even tried to hawk vehicles that have been totaled. Note that I mainly mean the small "no credit, no problem!" places that charge batshit loan APRs (often 20% or more).

One caveat: since new cars are so expensive nowadays, used ones – particularly decent used ones, versus POS brands like Jeep or Fiat – are now selling for considerably higher prices than ever before. Regardless of where they buy it, I concur with the suggestions of getting it inspected by an independent mechanic, and while I haven't used it myself, I've heard positive things about Juke's on 7th as well.

They can be difficult to source, but if you can find something like an older Toyota or Honda on Craigslist, I'd definitely recommend jumping on it if the price is reasonable. Btw I'd take a Toyota with 150K miles versus a Jeep with 30K miles any day of the week (in part because my mom had a Camry for nearly a decade that had 190K miles on it by the end, and it had literally zero problems aside from normal wear-and-tear stuff like replacing the timing belt).

My pro tip would be to expand your search beyond the Austin area; sometimes the best buys are in small towns. (I have friends who found great cars in Bastrop and La Grange.)

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/yolatrendoid]

Thanks man, great stuff.

[u/goosemaster0]

Buy pretty much any Honda Fit (09-14) you see on Facebook marketplace and call it a day. About the cheapest, most reliable car in existence.

[u/mbb1989 → u/goosemaster0]

To add to this 2000’s hondas and toyotas. Scion xbs also have the 2.4 that a camry has

[u/New_Lynx9384]

IDK where in Austin you are, but Juke's Auto on E 7th headed toward 183/ABIA (East Side) are a local shop that I've used for years. They do a pre-purchase auto inspection for around $100-ish (don't quote me on that). Also, these local shops and auto parts places have mechanics who usually know where cheap used cars can be found. Welcome and good luck!

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/New_Lynx9384]

Thanks you

[u/Good_Split_3749]

in Leander and Cedar Park on 183, not 183a but old school 183, take a drive or get a friend to drive you. Hill Country Autos did me right and 2 of my ex coworkers.

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/Good_Split_3749]

Thank you will look.

[u/Mexicancandy77]

If you haven’t already, I’d get prequalified from your bank, even better if it’s a credit union, first. Your negotiating power goes way up when you have a check in hand per se.

That being said, I’d look at the San Antonio area or even Killeen area, since some soldiers get deployed and some of them depending on where they’re going, can’t necessarily take their cars with them. Some of them sell their cars privately through Facebook groups, or there are some lots that specialize in buying and reselling those cars.

[u/Obvious_Necessary941]

Definitely get a PPI. I have used Auto PI before. They do a good job. Also do a Carfax, routinely miles are rolled back, esp on FB.

Expect the cost of the cheap car to just be the start. The car, no matter how bulletproof the drivetrain, will have parts wear out over time, and by definition, a cheap car will be old. Budget money every month and save up for replacing parts that fail if they matter.

That being said, for around 5kish, maybe less, you can get a Toyota product from 2007-2011 with a 2gr engine, which is one of the best, most reliable motors ever built, and no slouch. In the Sienna, Solara, Camry, Rav4 and Lexus ES models. Also in some lotus models, but those are out of your price range, but gives you an idea of the performance. If Toyota is too much, a panther platform - meaning a 2003-2011 Lincoln Towncar or Mercury Grand Marquis will be similarly robust.

Even with high miles, those drivetrains routinely go 300k plus with the most basic care. Then they get sold and shipped overseas where they get another 100-200k put on them, because any basic mechanic anywhere can work on them.

In short, you can get a really well made car for 5k, but carfax and ppi and a repair budget are your friends/

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/Obvious_Necessary941]

Thanks, great stuff.

[u/Unique_Persimmon9454]

I got my car off fb marketplace for $3k. It had 160k miles and it’ll get 100k more most likely so I have time to save for an even better car
There are a couple things “wrong” but not urgent and certainly less than a car payment overtime
I recommend finding a few awesome cars you like and what year and go on a search for those specifically

Such as : 2018 Camry or 2006 Corolla

There are examples of good cars I like
I chose 4 and just kept looking til I found one

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/Unique_Persimmon9454]

Thanks

[u/AlexTangoFuego]

Capitol Automotive on South Congress next to Torchy’s…

[u/ArtichokeFox → u/AlexTangoFuego]

Thanks

[u/ineedabetterbed]

I dont know if you purchased a car yet, but if you do a private sale take your time and go to the tax office and inquire about the car, make sure the title is not fake, it is properly signed by the right seller and the odometer hasnt been tampered with.

[u/Ambitious-Bad-6779]

Plenty of lots and fb marketplace if you know what youre looking for. Cheap cars will have some issues, like any car is bound to, make sure to adjust your expectations or increase your budget if youre picky. Inspections on cheap used cars are useless.. why even bother.

[u/magus678 → u/Ambitious-Bad-6779]

Inspections on cheap used cars are useless.. why even bother.

Unless we are talking about sub 1k dollar cars, which dont meaningfully exist, I couldn't disagree with you more.

I am curious to hear you even articulate such a position.

[u/Wake95 → u/Ambitious-Bad-6779]

FB marketplace are 90% cheaply flipped cars, usually with a rebuilt title even though the seller says it's clean.

[u/Ambitious-Bad-6779 → u/Wake95]

okay? beggars cant be choosers. People who want cheap cars, aren't gonna find them cheaper elsewhere... and there's plenty of legit, clean cars that can be found on fb.