To those that want to roast me and tell me to do my own research, carry on...

To those that like to be helpful and are cool, I have a question for you.

I'm looking for a used car, somewhere around $5,000 range. I'm wondering what are some of the best cars (model and year) that don't waste any money on bells and whistles. I don't care if it's ugly. My criteria is the following:

• Cruise control

• Reliable (so probably Honda or Toyota)

• Cloth seats

• NOT rear wheel drive (I live in the snow)

• Small engine (for good MPG)

From my research it seems like finding a Honda Civic/Accord or a Toyota Camry/Corolla are the best for my needs. My only problem is everyone knows those are the best so they are hard to come by for under $5K.

Hi everyone! I’m starting the process of looking for a used car and would really appreciate some guidance.

My budget is around $5,000, so I understand I probably won’t get something with all the bells and whistles. My main priority is reliability, but I’d also love something that still looks decent (a little vain, I know), and 2010 or newer

Ideally I’d love to find an AWD SUV, but I realize that might be harder in this price range. I’m definitely open to a sedan if it’s newer or a better value.

A few questions I’d love advice on:

• What makes/models tend to be the most reliable in this price range?

• What mileage should I realistically be looking for when shopping around $5k?

• Are there any years or models I should absolutely avoid?

• What are some red flags when buying from a private seller?

• Any tips for negotiating or inspecting the car before buying?

For context, I’ve been browsing Facebook Marketplace and similar sites, but I’ve never bought a car from a private seller before, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can before committing.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations or advice from people who know more about used cars than I do. Thanks in advance!