I have always liked older vehicles compared to newer. Especially pre-emissions and pre-def. I know many people from high school that the first thing they did when they graduated was buy a new vehicle! Crazy in my opinion. Too pricey for a start to an uncertain future. I had been looking for a good diesel truck to haul my mini ex around for my business for a while. I was disgusted by the prices everywhere. I finally found this one set up like I had been wanting. ‘04 GMC 2500HD LB7 Duramax. 4x4, leather interior, flat bed, ranch hand brush guard, 4 door. Even had a power inverter and quick connect plugs mounted front and back. She did have around 288K miles on her which made me nervous but my cousin assured me he has a buddy with one with well over 400k and he cannot kill his even though he dogs his out. I obviously having no intention of dogging mine out didn’t worry. The truck was up in Manning, SC. A good 5hrs one way from me. Guy was asking $10K. I called him up and asked if he would take a check for $8500 and a gun in trade. He said come get it. He was a diesel mechanic on the side but was going through a divorce. He got custody of the kids and needed a gas burner more. I felt it was a steal of a deal. Truck even came with a set of 35” tires and metal mayhem wheels. Plus a warn 8K winch. I drove it home without a hiccup and it has been a great truck for the year Ive had it other than minor cosmetic stuff. Hopefully she will keep hanging in there for me.It will cheaper than buying a new one. I sold cars for years when I got bored being mechanic. I used to go back and forth to make real money but went back to mechanical work to take a break from the stress. If I had any advice to give from a sales aspect it would be this. Keep your vehicles clean and don't abuse them and they will give good service for long time. Drive it till the wheels fall off. When it's time to replace it buy a 2 or 3 year pre-owned, low mileage highly rated car and do the same with that one. Unless you are just filthy rich use them up but don't abuse them. I rarely ever use full throttle on mine. I go slow and easy over rough roads. Most importantly keep them clean and serviced correctly. When I appraised used vehicles I could tell you the type driver owned the car just by driving it around the block. Most importantly don't under and circumstances, unless a wreak totals the thing, buy a car in this market. Because eventually it will turn and that car you paid a fortune for will diminish in value over night and you will be stuck owning a car worth half of what you owe.
This might not pertain to your situation immediately but it is good advice from a person that should be telling the exact opposite. Since I no longer have to rely on selling cars for a living I like to share it whenever I can. THAT IS ALL!