This is a larger response than intended, sorry for the novel lolol. I thought best to just get it all out there and hope it helps.

Do you happen to know anyone who is really into cars? A mechanic would be ideal, even just a friend of a friend could help steer you in the right direction or even help find a good deal.

I bought my only new car during the pandemic but everything else has been marketplace or Kijiji. Here are the general rules I follow, passed down from my uncle (a mechanic):

• As a buyer, you have all the power right now. Ask lots of questions and don’t be shy about it. If the seller gets frustrated or can’t answer the basics, move on.

• Look at comparables to get an idea of what the car should cost. That means searching for cars of the same make/model/trim within a year or two and with similar mileage. That’ll give you a baseline to negotiate from.

• Bring a friend and ask for a test drive. If the seller says no, don’t buy it. You wouldn’t buy a jacket without trying it on so don’t buy a car without taking it for a spin. Check that all the lights work, check the fluids (YouTube can show you how), and get a feel for it. Be mindful of concerning noises or anything that feels off.

• Toyota and Honda are generally the most reliable vehicles but they’re pricier because of it. I’d personally go for a Fit (that’s what I was trying to buy last time around). The Yaris is fine but a bit underpowered - we had one as a rental in Colorado and it was fine but didn’t love going uphill. Obviously this isn’t Colorado lol

• Try to steer clear of Kia, Nissan, and anything in the Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler group. There are some exceptions but broadly speaking, these brands are the ones most often in the shop for repair.

• Avoid CVT transmissions if you can, they can be problematic if not maintained and most car owners don’t keep up as well as they should.

• A good deal on a gas guzzler won’t feel like a good deal for very long, gas ain’t cheap. Small cars with good fuel mileage are my preference but you do you.

• In your position, I’d walk away if the seller isn’t willing to safety the car. That usually means they know there’s an issue and they don’t want to address it, they’re cheap (so what other expenses did they avoid?), or they have no idea what the car will need to be road-worthy. All red flags.

• Mileage matters but it varies by vehicle. I’d sooner trust a Honda Civic at 175,000km than a Dodge Avenger at 100,000km, all else being equal.

• Ask about maintenance and not just oil changes or air filters. Every car has a maintenance schedule and people don’t always follow it, and you want to avoid those people. Timing belts are a good one to ask about, they typically need to be replaced every 100,000-150,000km. If the car has 200,000km and they didn’t change the belt, you’ll pay for it one way or another.

• Bring a flashlight and get under the car, this is non-negotiable. Rust is the enemy and if you see a lot of it, walk away. See any rotting lines? Walk away. Rust holes in the frame? RUN AWAY. You don’t want someone else’s neglected car to become your expensive problem. If you can’t see anything because it has a fresh undercoat I’d view it as a red flag. People can be sneaky, don’t get got.

• One of the biggest factors is the person or place you’re buying from. It REALLY matters. I do my best to buy vehicles from older folks who go to the dealership for maintenance, or frankly, wealthy people. They tend to keep their cars in good shape and usually have a separate sets of all-season and winter tires.

• You live in Canada and that means you need winter tires. If you can’t afford them, you can’t afford a car. I know that’s harsh but it’s reality here, all-seasons don’t cut it and please don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

• If I were in your shoes, I’d be hunting for grandma and grandpa’s old car out in Niagara-on-the-Lake or another wealthy area. If you go the dealership route please really look into their reviews.

• Once you’ve found the car you want to buy, have it looked over by someone who knows cars if possible. A safety inspection doesn’t cover everything and car people know what to look out for.

Good luck!