Avoid retail dealerships, as their overhead usually requires a minimum profit margin that prices out $2,000 inventory. Instead, prioritize:

: Ask friends, family, or local mechanics if they know of any reliable vehicles being retired by their owners.

: Local police or city impound auctions can yield functional cars, but they often come with no history and "as-is" conditions. Recommended Reliable Models

: A traditional go-to for "beater" cars, though it requires careful vetting.