You've passed your driving test after spending hundreds of dollars on lessons and now you're on the lookout for a new car.
But you've now come across another stumbling block... cars are pretty damn expensive.
When you see the likes of Tesla's Cybertruck retailing at around $80,000, it can be quite a daunting prospect getting your first set of wheels.
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Thankfully though there are some options for those on a tight budget hoping to pick up a new whip in the near future.
While we'd all like to buy a new car, used car purchases are becoming even more popular nowadays - something that has become way more common since the pandemic.
Supply chain issues have ripped through the auto industry in recent years, making it extremely difficult for a lot of manufactures to produce new vehicles.
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The supply of used cars on the market has also lessened, meaning car prices have skyrocketed.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average used car is listed at $26,510, as of January 2024.
And to be honest, that's still pretty expensive for a lot of folks, but fear not.
If you’re ready to buy a car now and have a budget of around $10,000, one car mechanic has a few suggestions.
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And there are a lot of reliable cars at that price point as well, something that will be a huge relief for buyers.
Sherwood, a mechanic from Royalty Auto Service in Georgia, began the TikTok video by stating it's always best to buy a car in the south of the US and California to avoid rust.
So, let's get into the car recommendations.
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First of all, Sherwood recommends a Honda Civic from 2005-2009 - something you should be able to get in the $5,000-$9,000 range.
"Make sure it’s not been pimped out," the car mechanic noted.
Toyota Corolla is another option, according to Sherwood - though this is a vehicle that will set you back closer to that $10,000 limit.
The mechanic recommends a model year from 2005-2010, with him adding: "Good cars last a long time."
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Another Honda is next up, in the form of the Accord.
Sherwood says you'll want to stick with the 4-cylinder model of the car, while also purchasing one in the 2005-2010 range.
And there is a real soft spot for Honda and Toyota in this video, as the final recommendation is the Toyota Camry/Avalon.
You can go as far back as the 2004 model with these models Sherwood says. "Those are probably gonna be a little higher mileage, but great cars," he adds.
Concluding the video, the mechanic says: "Those are probably gonna be a little higher mileage, but great cars."