Car got totaled, now I’m down one car and up $10k. Now what? I kinda just don’t know where to start or what my choices are. My last car I bought from my parents in cash, so I don’t know how the actual car shopping/car buying process works. I also don’t know what $10k can get me new/used.
I have a rental until next week, but I’m not in a huge rush to replace the car (I can bike to work and carpool for most other things for now just fine), so I want to take my time and make the right decision. So far though literally my only approach is googling “used car.” I’m totally out of my element.
Where do I look to kind of get a sense for what my options are? Once I kind of know what I’m looking for and at what price, where do I go to find it? Do I just go to a bunch of different (used?) car dealerships and look around? How do I avoid getting swindled by those infamous “used car salesmen” tactics?