Used car shopping..

Budget: 13000 MAX? Cash in hand.

Any suggestions? Im coming from a Honda Accord. Dont really care what it is to be honest, just need some wheels.

:^(

In general any Toyota or Lexus with their general hybrid system is very reliable. I'd be leery on older ones (I'd say 15 years or older) since the battery will eventually die and it will cost a significant amount to replace.

The issue with used cars is a lot depends on how the previous owners treated and maintained it so make sure you take a really good look at the car before test driving. I'd probably also get a 3rd party inspection.

In general "old people" cars are usually your best bet since old people are more likely to stick to maintenance schedules. I'd look into a used Lexus ES or Toyota Avalon since they are rather famous for being owned by old people who take car of their cars.

The big issue with Toyota and Lexus used cars is that a lot of their value is typically inflated.

If you are comfortable working on old cars, you can usually something with the Buick 3800 engine (one of the most reliable mass produced engines ever) for rather cheap. The issue is that the newest of these cars are about 17 years old and chances are they will have some issues (likely not the engine though unless its high mileage) that will need to be addressed soon.

Anecdotally, I've owned a Pontiac Grand Prix for 20 years (has a Buick 3800) and it is built like a tank. I've had minimal issues for a car that old. The problem is I know a lot Pontiacs were abused too much because the general owners of them did not maintain them.

either be a mechanic, have a mechanic friend, or never hand over money without having the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice first.

a major warning sign for any used car is unfinished work. if you get there and they tell you something like "the ac doesn't work but its a simple fix just get some refrigerant" then just walk away, because nobody with a functioning brain is going to try to sell a car with an easily fixed problem at reduced cost. its just bullshit covering for some major issue they dont want to admit to. an extra red flag when they've got the box of parts that they say the simple fix.

if they dont have the title on hand for transfer then walk away, title bullshit is a major pain in the ass to deal with.

if the car doesn't start obviously skip. i've seen a number of cars listed as running, when you get there they tell you the starter just needs to be replaced.

if there's a check engine light then walk away. savvy asshole might wipe the codes before you get there, that's what a test drive and a trip to a mechanic are for.

Since your budget is 13,000 I don't think this will matter to you, but its important to consider if you do up your budget:

In general, barely used cars no longer significantly depreciate right away, especially Toyotas and Hondas. It is not that odd for a 3 to 4 year old Toyota or Honda to be only cost a few thousand dollars less than a new one. If you were considering a used car that almost costs as much as a new one, I'd probably get the new one. You get a full warranty, almost no wear on the car, the ability to utilize lemon laws, and the peace of mind that no one else has abused the car. You also can get much better interest rates on new cars.

I can't wait till someone here will say that swinging around 13K in real life is worse less than some digital application and also won't accept it. ...... I don't want to make this about myself again and my experiences. I will I remember my older brother saying the same thing before and it does sound bad ass. It's also still cars (even used) are expensive. I am not sure if that makes as much as an impression on people as old folks think it used to do.

I used to chuckle sometimes when I spent a 100 dollar bill many years ago.

Buying something old but with low mileage has always worked out for me. I do live somewhere with lots of cheap lightly used JDM cars though. Might be harder in the US where people drive their cars into the ground.

You do need to care what it is if money is important