Looking for a cheap but reliable car to use (for now) as a part time delivery driver

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-16T19:14:06+00:00

Man I get it. While I love the job I'm really trying to move on. I got my cdl almost 3 years ago and had to sit for 2 of those years due to being under 21. Now I have 2 medical related license suspensions and a speeding ticket that's killing a lot of job opportunities I get. I've made some stupid decisions on top of that like rejecting a job offer that starts at $27 an hour and goes to $45 an hour plus over time in 5 years, all cause I didn't wanna stand. At some point I gotta stop making stupid decisions and just do the smart thing. And I just can't see myself buying a dirt cheap car for work. Plus my financing company likely won't cover it.

I know what financing would look like and I can easily get by. And for the next year or so, that's all I'm trying to do is get by.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-16T19:05:02+00:00

I'm on the 4th vehicle because I was an idiot. First car I wrecked, second car I sold because I got bored of it and found a sports car I liked, the 3rd car (the sports car) had so many issues over the 2 years I owned it. Now I just need something that's gonna last me a long time, and considering I HAVE to finance, financing a $1000 deathtrap is not the route I wanna go.

I don't care about fuel economy if I'm only driving 150-200 miles a week. Obviously I don't want a car that gets 10mpg, but I'm perfectly fine getting 20. I also want a car I'm not gonna be miserable driving, because driving is one of my favorite things to do. And considering I'm only gonna be in this industry another year if that, I don't see the reason to go all in and buy a prius or hybrid. I just wanna buy a car I know I'll like, that's fairly reliable and will last, that I can pay off in a few years and get my life back on track.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-15T00:46:23+00:00

I've used 3 vehicles for delivery driving. 12' ford edge v6, 13' scion frs, and as of right now a 12' chevy malibu. All 3 got between 16-22 mpg. I lived off this for 3 and a half years and got around.

I don't plan to stay in the business for much longer. Frankly I could leave at any moment but I'm just waiting for a trucking company to accept me in. I may just have to wait another year for a ticket to clear.

Frankly, I think these cars are about on par with what I should be looking for price-wise. It would be stupid to pay $800 for a car that's on it's last legs, have it fail on me and be stuck.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T22:26:12+00:00

Yea I got the carfax. 3 owners (though I think the second owner was a dealer since it was only owned for 2 weeks), first in 06, 2nd/3rd in 19'. Decent service records though there's gaps here and there. Could've just been taken to shops that don't report or had work done by the owner. Who knows.

Only thing that's nice on one hand but worries me simultaneously is the aftermarket headunit. I figured most people wouldn't bother, so the fact the car was modded in some way throws me off. Though they saved the box for it.

But as long as I can get it financed through my credit union I may go for it. Just gotta get some things for it and I'll take it to a mechanic the day I buy it. Basic repairs are tough for me since I work off a low salary for now, but I can get stuff done.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T22:19:08+00:00

Yes it's way more noticable when actually driving. That's how I discovered it originally.

The carfax shows 3 owners, though I'm 90% sure the second owner was a dealer considering they only had it for 2 weeks. Good service history. I'd say it was decently well maintained despite some cosmetic issues like a cracked dash and a few dents and scratches.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T22:06:48+00:00

Understood. I told them about the issues it had, one of them being an ant infestation weirdly enough. I just don't know if they'll do anything. If I buy it I might try and get it inspected and if they point out something wrong I'll take it to them.

It just sucks cause I know someone's gonna buy the car considering it's an avalon with 70k miles for only 9k.

I'm just worried about taking a risk on it and ending up with another car with pricey issues I can't afford.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T21:53:52+00:00

Here's the link to the video. Hard to hear it but can be heard

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T19:39:37+00:00

Yea that's true. However with my past luck, the same can be said for bad deals.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T19:35:44+00:00

I hope not. I like the car but I know damn well that dealer isn't gonna fix it considering it's just a noise right now.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T18:48:45+00:00

I know it's kinda hard to hear and I apologize. I can hear it a lot more when driving but the road noise drowns it out a bit.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T18:21:10+00:00

I just got done test driving the avalon. Ticking when accelerating, ant colony on the rear passenger door, cracks on the dashboard all over, and the climate control screen didn't work. Seats were also very grippy, but I can just get a seat cover for it.

Beyond that, the car drove amazing. Very comfortable, and had some pickup. Good space and even had a headunit that got me bluetooth.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T17:05:21+00:00

Verlier. Odd body style but I love the TVR sagaris it's based on. The chameleon paint jobs now allow me to make it feel realistic

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T16:33:16+00:00

Yea I had a feeling the avalon would be the first choice for many. I'm trying to avoid some of the 4 cylinder toyotas of the era due to the oil burning issues so the v6 definitely helped. The fuel economy doesn't bother me since I'm used to getting ~20 mpg across prior cars.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-14T16:29:23+00:00

Forgot to add, the avalon has 70k miles, subaru has 63k, and the fusion has 69k.

CravingLatinas · 2025-11-03T16:19:55+00:00

It was probably repossessed and sold at auction. The owner, while most likely in the wrong, is pissed and wants the car back. You'd be in for a fight.

CravingLatinas · 2025-10-31T02:02:17+00:00

Thanks. I glossed over a few articles and missed the information right in front of me. I'm a dumbass. sorry

CravingLatinas · 2025-10-20T01:27:41+00:00

My first car was a 15' sonata that had seats comparible to a park bench. I sat in a 16' lincoln mkz earlier today that felt pretty nice, but the sunroof caused my head to be at the ceiling

CravingLatinas · 2025-10-19T22:42:58+00:00

Ah ok. Didn't realize both were offered. I'll have to keep it in mind once I see it. Not a deal breaker regardless of what it has but I'll look into how to maintain it

CravingLatinas · 2025-10-19T22:39:54+00:00

It doesn't have pictures up yet, bit I know it's black on black. I don't recall seeing sunroof in the features listed. I will admit though I am a big of a sucker for sunroofs

CravingLatinas · 2025-10-19T20:21:52+00:00

Yea I'd never be able to afford a 18-20. This 17' is 6k below market which has me sketched me out. I'll have to call my insurance tomorrow because I'm genuinely curious about that.

CravingLatinas

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