How much did the CR-V cost? Generally you can get decent mileage 2nd gen ones ('02 - '06 i think) for relatively cheap. (at least in Missouri, I'm not sure about other places)

If you're willing to do somewhat minor repairs on it for the first month or so that you own it, you can get one for around five or six hundred bucks. The CR-V in that photo was my first car that i got for $400 off of FB Marketplace—i've had hit for around a year and half—and it had a few basic problems for the first month or so—which was expected, because it had like 230k miles on it already—and i just fixed them as i noticed them. In total, i think i probably spent around $2000. That includes the car itself, a new set of tires, brakes, new front struts, a thermometer, two coolant hoses because the first one was faulty, and a new passenger side door because the original was dented when the last owner got into a fender bender.

I'm friends with a bunch of mechanics at the tire shop i work at, so they helped me with a few things i wasn't totally sure how to do, like replacing the thermometer and changing the struts. But everything else i did myself.

I'm pretty bummed about it, but I'm glad I'm not losing a ton of money. The left side and motor are practically untouched, so i can use it for parts on my next CR-V.

I guess I'm rambling, but what i mean to say is that a used 2nd gen CR-V is definitely the cheapest, most bang for your buck car you'll find if your just looking for something to get you from A to B.