I’m sure she would be thrilled with a brand new Subie, but there are some cheaper ones on AutoTrader if you want to look. I see a 2014 Outback in Asheville with 25k miles for 14k.
My D has a Honda CRV (older model with after-market back-up camera and Apple screen/tech installed). So safe; so reliable; so great!
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I’d buy new. My daughter drives a Crosstrek, my daughter in law, drives one. My nephew also. All very happy, it’s a great car
There are still good prices on used cars just have to look harder now… FYI. My daughter last year picked up a used Lexus ES 330 2004 with 100,000 on it. Before those squint their eyes these cars last. Original owner had every record on the car and replaced the timing belt and water pump as part of regular maintenance which is rare and the one thing you want to think about with this year Lexus. The owner was a car nut. Current oil change, new belts, new brakes, newish tires. Car is loaded with heated seats, leather package etc and drives like a dream. Perfect condition except I spent a lot of time detailing it. Oh, it needed oil gaskets that he let me know about and took off from the price BTW. My mechanic told me to grab it and it will go to 200,000 without even trying. She loves her car and drove it cross country when she moved.
So, if you know what your looking for there are still deals out there.
Almost forgot. She paid $5,000 for it.
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A 17-year-old car with 100,000 miles on it? Your daughter is brave and the essence of frugality and practicality. And I mean that in the most positive sense!
I, on the other hand, won’t keep a car for more than 3 years, and I lease. I view cars like a pencil: very useful, but a declining asset like a pencil.
On used car prices, about a year and a half ago (late 2019 before the pandemic), we got an estimate of $20,000 for my wife’s relatively new car. Today, 1.5 years and about 12,000 miles later, we got an offer for $24,000, $4000 more than a while back. We’re tempted to take it, but only if we can get a new car at a good deal. We’re still sorting that out. But, at least from my personal experience, used car prices for relatively new vehicles (and with or without extremely high mileage) has gone through the roof.
One other reason that I lease a car for three years: we’re big on EVs or PHEVs (plug-in hybrid EVs). The technology is changing so fast for these cars that I don’t want to be saddled with something that has a range of 100 miles when the new cars are getting much more than that (as an example).
Also, in California, for EVs and PHEVs, we get a sticker that allows us to use carpool/HOV lanes and cross bridges for a reduced toll during rush hour. In the Bay Area, with the huge traffic and limited lane freeways, having this sticker can save tons of time. So, I look at the cars that qualify for the sticker, and it is AMAZING how many more cars today qualify for the sticker than just 2 years ago. All the manufacturers seem to be moving to phase out gas-only vehicles.
In any event, your daughter will go far! Hopefully, at least 100,000 more miles in the literal sense! 
We she’s almost 24 not 17… Lol… Funny since I rarely buy new or lease. But instead of having a $300 car payment at 23 she’s putting at least that much into her investment /retirement portfolio. Seriously. Think about that for a moment. I am pretty good at finding deals and good cars. Used to have 94 Jaguar Coupe XJS (Gorgeous car). My son will be taking the Honda Accord with 160,000 on it since he only needs a car for one year. My mechanic again said it’s good to 250,000. I am looking for an older Lexus 350 IS convertible. They are rare in the Midwest and not many on the market (people don’t give those up) since they are one of their most reliable cars.
Suburu is great but watch for the timing belt and oil gaskets. Know that going in.
I will go EV once Nio breaks the market or Lucid comes down in price so… 3-5 years.
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Ah…I meant the age of your daughter’s car, not your daughter’s age!
You are absolutely right about the savings. I wish I had been that smart at that age.
Do you have any tips on how to source good used cars for good prices? I probably will be in the market for one for my own DD pretty soon.
I think everyone has an idea of the risk they are willing to take when buying an older used car.
I forgot my daughter’s boyfriend also has a Crosstrek lol! He had an older model and wrecked so he upgraded to a 2021. My daughter has I think a 2015 with very low mileage.
My daughter thinks the new Crosstrek is an upgrade from the older models. She thinks the ride is smoother. Her boyfriend has the lane assist and she really likes that and the Apple CarPlay. My 2018 doesn’t have CarPlay but my husband’s 2019 does and I love it!
The OP’s daughter lives in Knoxville TN, she won’t have a ton of need for the heated seats.
First off. Haha on the car age thing…
So in the case of an old Lexus I go to Club Lexus website to learn about the car. It’s awesome there in general and many Lexus mechanics are on the site… Read a lot also with reviews with people that have the car and upcoming problems… It’s pretty telling on some cars.
Have a great local mechanic. He steers me away from just about anything German. Plus mechanics can buy at auctions… Think about that! Let them make a bit on it but they are going to bring the car up to specs so they will make money anyway…
So for my daughter I did exactly what my mechanic said not to do. Went to our local Craigslist… Lol. I got really lucky. I talked to the guy several times and he was a dad… That was a car nut /geek. He had a kid that just graduated college. He just bought a 2012 Lexus 330 for himself with very low miles on it like 30,000…
Anyway… Don’t be afraid to buy out of state. IE. Rely on your mechanic. Most mechanics will tell you that Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Suburu, is the way to go. I live in Chicago in a very young area with tons of college kids /young professionals… My area is littered with Suburu of like every year with some really old ones all over the place… Lol. That is telling. Go for reliability. That’s what I wanted for my daughter. Her only request was heated seats. She hates being cold… Lol…
Carmax, Carvana have decent cars but your automatically going to over pay. To some its worth it. To some it’s not. But they give you like 7 days to have your mechanic check it out and I think something like a 3 months warranty.
Also when looking at the car drive it first for a bit then pop the hood and look and smell the engine. Look for oil leaks and oil smell. Usually gaskets and with high mileage cars it’s normal maintenence and not expensive.
I also talked to the persons mechanic on both of my older cars. Not always available but each car had oil changes every 3,000 and were cared for. Their own mechanic told me about the gaskets but everything else was in great shape. He was willing to talk to my mechanic also. Again, this isn’t always possible and I get that. Having a clean Carfax or the like is a huge plus with 1 owner but I am not afraid of 2 owners. No car damage. Unless I know it was just a bumper damage I am fine but without knowing it could be structural damage.
Drive the car and listen. Doors shouldn’t be squeaky (frame damage), it should sound like a smooth car sound. Anything else is a red flag.
If they replaced the belts, water pump and or timing belt just thank them. It’s not a negative but a huge plus!!! I can’t emphasis that enough.
Put in quarter in the tire treads. They shouldn’t be bare. Brakes shouldn’t squeak. Car shouldn’t shake, rattle or roll… Lol. Even a good used car should drive like a new car.
If the leather is a bit worn and dirty (not disgusting), that’s a great negotiating item right there. Don’t let it put you off. Just get Car Surface Care Products, Detailing Supplies, Auto Accessories
I will tell you what to buy. It will cost like $20.00 for 2 products to clean up the car. A little elbow grease will make it look like new. Hit me up and will give you some hints. Like get a dollar store tooth brush.
The paint should look decent. Chips and swirls are normal. The cars old so surface scratches are fair game. Nothing you can feel with your finger nail (but you can fix it easily).
Again, even a used car should look pretty new if taken car of. That is a huge point. Anyone can detail a car to make it look good, right. That is what the dealers and car lots do. But look at the inside door wells. Look at the inside and outside modeling. Look at the lower car doors for signs of rest and underneath. Of course the mechanics should work. AC, heat, Radio, etc. Listen again. It should really sound like anything. If you hear buzzing, or clicking or strange sounds… Well…???..
All the lights, widows should go up and down without any extra sound. You get the idea. Look at the trunk and front hood but underneath for rust etc if the car was painted they never paint the underside and it will be telling.
I can go on… Lol…
My Jaguar was from an older man that drove it less then 5,000/year. His mechanic told me I would be stupid to pass up on this car… Lol. He had all the records and he told me if I don’t buy it they would sell it for like double… I had it for 11 years…
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How does the volume of records for a Jaguar for 5,000 miles compare to that of a Toyota (including Lexus or Scion) for 50,000 miles?
I bought the car with 30,000 on it. He drove it like 5,000 /year. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that. There are tons of cars that older people have and in great shape with solid records of maintenence… Get one of those…
To add to this. Get the Vin number and many free sites to run it. Look for recalls and have them fixed if needed.
Also agree about carfax and the like. It’s a nice tool but many things don’t get reported. It’s great having a clean one. That’s a great start at least but yes. Either have your mechanic or any mechanic look at the car. Many dealers won’t let you drive more then 5 miles radius due to their insurance on the car… Or at least they will tell you that. Totally worth paying $100 to not buy a dud car. If it really needs some fixing and you want the car it can become a negotiation point of reference.
It is not just accidents which are not reported, I know of used car dealers who furnish inaccurate reports. The caveat, therefore, is do not rely on any report–CarFax or other–furnished by the used car dealer. Get your own CarFax report & use your own mechanic for any inspection.
Yep… I have them run a new car fax when I am there. Most will do it but good suggestion. Yes on having a mechanic look at it.
Find a good local mechanic - not a dealer mechanic! At least in our area, if the car is not sold from the dealer lot, the dealer mechanics claim that more is wrong with the car than what is. If the car is sold from their lot, they’ll claim everything is fine when it isn’t.
Also be aware that certain cars need to be repaired/serviced at a dealer. For example, the nearest Volvo dealer to me is 80+ miles, which would make a Volvo very impractical to own.
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If CC had an award for the most valuable post of the day, this would be my nominee! Excellent.
Lol… Maybe the mods or powers to be will give me a cool badge or something… Still waiting on a TShirt…
Check out places like these. Every state has them. Addison Car Dealers - Used Cars | Dealerships Near Me | Used Car Dealerships | Net Motorcars
This one has a really good reputation of getting good solid cars. Read the reviews and if they don’t have like real recent ones go somewhere else.
I don’t have a mechanic. Never needed one. Anyone can do oil changes, put on new tires and replace brakes.
Said in jest…
I’m not having anyone change the oil, do the brakes and change the tires on my Porsche Turbo Cabriolet or GT3RS.
Sorta depends on where the oil filter and plug are placed (access), size of the wheels and tires (anyone can’t handle 20”+ wheels) and manufacturer of the brakes, say like a performance piece like a Brembo.
And no I don’t own a Porsche Turbo Cab or GT3RS.
Too bad 
