<prompt> Human: Got a new job today and need to have reliable transportation-- its 50 miles round trip a day so this car needs to get great gas and last a while. Ive really been thinking of a Honda Civic or something similar Toyota Corolla maybe but I am torn on whether or not buying an older model say 2000 or 2001 for around 2.5 or 3k is a better option for me than financing a little bit better purchase around 8k, 2k down and 6k loan so I can get an 06-07 hopefully even a hybrid...Rent isnt exorbitant for me, only have 15k of student loans, and this job is 55kyear. I have set a lot aside in my budget for a car cus this is SoCal and I need it, but I dont want to be paying more than I can afford, especially if paying cash in hand may actually work for the model Im looking to purchase.  <response>: I wouldnt try to buy a 12 year old hybrid, that sounds like asking for trouble and repairs will be expensive if something goes wrong.Id buy the older car Cash personally until youre established in this job for a while. Worst case scenario and the new gig doesnt work out youre not on the hook for a car payment, in a few months once youre rock solid you should look at buying something nicer based on your budget thats 2-5 years old.E: check out local repairAuto body shops, in most states they can private sale up to a certain amount without a dealership license. Many shops will buy cheap cars at auction to keep their shop busy with during downtime, then flip them via private sale. 