PUG SAYS

A top gun salesperson knows if manager will accept your first offer ...but will leave no money on the table

WHERE TO SHOP FOR A VEHICLE UNDER $10,000

Thousand of times i have been asked the same question, whats available from $ 3000 to $ 5000. range certified preferably an import - Toyota or Honda low miles ( dream on ).
If you happen to find one its most likely high miles and quite a few model years old, where to find these cars

Franchise Dealerships

Consider yourselv lucky if you happen to be at a dealership at the time a trade has just arrived that meets their requirements and available for under $10.000. a franchise dealer will not purchase cars for re-sale under $ 10.000. their main concern is having a high profile in the community, customer satisfaction, repeat business and a warranty available with every car

Non Franchise Dealerships

There will be great selections under the $10.000 range at non franchise dealers, small corner lots, buy here pay here type dealers, it becomes more risky as your most likely dealing with older model years with high miles, its buyers beware, by having a vehicle report from AutoCheck® you will have learned the steps in the buying process that will steer you away from lemons, there will be many good buys but also a fair amount that is not.
Here are some answers as to how these lower end cars end up on at non franchise car lot...a franchise dealer will wholesale or take to auction any trade-in vehicle that dont meet their strict recondition program and smaller type car lots will bid on these inexpensive vehicles

Buying Private

Buying private is buying AS IS and you must take vehicle for an independent inspection, if seller wont allow prior to purchase you walk away, i am getting far to much e-mail about recourse where buyers have purchased AS IS only to find cost of recondition added to purchase price made it a bad deal...

Buying from an Auction

Here you will find many inexpensive vehicles, i strongly recommend you navigate to PUBLIC AUCTIONS before you intend to set foot in one of these places.

While its buyers beware its possible to get valid value, the Internet or Auto trader is not the places to look for vehicles in this price range.
Shop you local community newspaper along with supermarket billboards you may just get lucky someone just having posted a vehicle in excellent condition that's no longer needed.
Buying from a dealer in this price range the odds are against you, you must have patience and when you find a car that you think fits the bill make sure you navigate to the Test Drive on this website and study how not to end up with a lemon.