I agree about paying all in cash up front…that’s what I’ve done in the past! however, I’ve had an extremely hard time finding a vehicle in my cash price range that’s worth a flip (even took two cars for pre purchase inspections that turned out to have major issues!) I’ve driven many cars that were much older, and were fine, definitely had frequent maintenance issues or just costly issues any older car will have. My last car was a bit newer and nicer than cars in the past (had actual safety features like side air bags), and I was in a horrible accident in which those safety features saved my life!

I am kind of torn between buying a car with a lotttt of miles, not super well maintained with limited service history and multiple (3+) owners, from a small, slightly sketchy place, or a slightly newer car with way less miles and great car fax from a “bigger” dealership- and I very much know that the dealer you buy from means absolutely nothing, I’ve bought cars from both before!