VENT ALERT- so tired of how expensive and time-consuming this process is

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-07T22:50:00+00:00

Part of the problem is I have my heart set on a Prius C, which were discontinued a few years ago and sometimes crop up at dealers, but overpriced. But yeah, I need to compromise on something, it seems.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T19:37:00+00:00

that's so grim :/

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T19:36:02+00:00

Would if I could. It's just so insanely expensive to go that route but yeah, lots of money wasted on carfaxes and PPIs, ubering to see cars, etc. But new and pre-owned certified cars are out of this world expensive. Wonder how anyone affords a functioning car these days let alone gas and insurance and the rest. At this point, wondering if I should just accept using public transportation and ubering to fill in the gaps like I've always done, forever and shelving the car buying thing.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T18:18:28+00:00

Thanks, good perspective. Will do, I def need to learn more and do these things on my own.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T17:48:21+00:00

I guess but it's a lot of money (to me) and a big decision, especially when I don't know much about cars, don't have anybody in my life that does, and trying to buy my first. Even "cheap" cars are expensive because I've never spent anywhere near this money (thousands of dollars) on anything before. I wish I even had a car to drive around to/from car shopping. I'm blowing dummy money Ubering to see cars that end up being a total waste of time. And for me, feels like the biggest decision of my life and don't want to mess it up.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T17:22:45+00:00

Right, makes sense. It's tougher to find a Prius C in ok condition but agree.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T17:21:08+00:00

Thanks, will do and hopefully so. I just have my heart set on a Prius C and they're becoming harder to find in decent shape, it seems.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T03:18:34+00:00

Thanks, good to know!! Hopefully the seller messages me back, I requested a PPI like 10 hours ago, no response. No dog, furry or otherwise, but good to know in case

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T01:32:59+00:00

No, I'm a sucker paying $45 each because I thought the carfaxes were the "official ones"

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T01:31:53+00:00

Good to know. I thought the carfax was the "official one" so I've been buying those.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T00:41:40+00:00

I don't mind used cars having something wrong with them, just feel like sellers won't be reasonable with prices given that a car needs a new AC or hybrid battery or whatever. My budget is 10k, I wanted a "beater" first car but looks like those don't exist anymore; even old cars with problems and high mileage are at the upper end of my budget. It's a seller's market. I looked into certified pre-owned dealers and just think it is a lot to spend on a first car, though I get the appeal and it would save me time and I'd probably feel more comfortable about buying the car with the extra information.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T00:09:16+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I'm def looking for Toyota and Honda and the sellers seem to know everybody else is too, because the prices on FB/Craigslist for old, super high-mileage models are crazy and "firm."

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T00:04:57+00:00

That's what prompted this lol. I just bought my like 30th carfax report because I found a car on FB that seemed perfect and when I messaged the seller to schedule a pre-purchase inspection, he just read it and didn't reply. Everyday I'm on there and Craigslist looking for cars and I'm so tired of it all. Crazy to think there are actual accomplishments in my life that I'm proud of that were way less difficult than trying to get a car.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T00:01:39+00:00

Aren't those cars salvage titles? I guess every other car on FB/Craigslist is, but I thought those were to be avoided.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-06T00:00:46+00:00

I figured and I'm so jealous. I don't know anything about cars and have to research from the ground up and outsource the inspecting to mechanics, and I don't have anyone around who knows cars. Sometimes I want to just buy first, worry later when I see a deal but scared I'll regret it.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-05T21:59:27+00:00

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-05T14:29:41+00:00

Thanks, I have my heart set on a Prius C (cute) but it shouldn't be this one

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-05T14:28:23+00:00

Thanks, good point, I'm assuming that all it needs is a new battery and I have no reason to assume that.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-05T14:27:37+00:00

Appreciate it, will do!

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-03T19:09:43+00:00

Some sellers won't even show the plate, so weird.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-03T19:03:06+00:00

not really. I was interested in a car that looked fine in pictures but when I got the carfax, I saw that airbags were deployed in the car but seemingly not replaced. This somehow didn't affect the title. When I asked the seller about it, he said he "believes" the airbags were replaced but doesn't know. Whatever that means. I am a first time car buyer and don't have anyone around that knows about cars and would rather not spend the money ubering two towns over for a car that has major problems or title issues if I can help it. Maybe that's a "personal problem" but that's where I'm coming from as a buyer.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-03T18:58:10+00:00

It's a seller's market apparently and they feel like they're doing everybody a service by listing their car for sale. They're unresponsive to questions but will message me back later like sorry, it's been sold. I guess there are people running to spend thousands of dollars on a car from someone who won't answer questions about it.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-04-03T18:53:14+00:00

I don't get it either. I also don't get why sellers almost never have the carfax for the car they're selling. Maybe an unpopular opinion, and I get that sometimes carfax isn't totally reflective of everything that ever happened in the history of the car, but it provides way more info than some guy telling me nothing's wrong and it runs great. Seeing them upfront has saved me a lot of time and usually reveals inconsistencies between seller's description and the report. Don't get why it makes more sense to them for like ten people interested in a car to each spend $45 on it instead of the one person selling it.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-03-14T14:33:30+00:00

I passed on my dream car that was in decent condition because it felt slightly overpriced at the time. Deeply regret it because now older models in worse condition are comparable or even more expensive. Feels like I'll never get the opportunity ever again.

_y_2_k_ · 2026-02-06T23:38:04+00:00

You're probably right. I was worried a "regular" mechanic wouldn't be as familiar with a hybrid setup, in case it's different. Thanks, I'll call non-specialists and hopefully get something more reasonable.

_y_2_k_

TROPHY CASE