You've been looking at Rav4's for over a year now, and posting every single one in the forum

You still don't have an idea of what they're worth?

Honestly back then mechanically they were better made it should last a good 150k miles or maybe a little less or more. You didn't say the mileage but I would definitely haggle on the price to around $2500, then it could be a good purchase assuming it doesn't have a lot of miles. For 4 grand get yourself a Corolla.

For 2500 bucks you should just look on craigslist and try to find a good Toyota or Honda maybe even something else.

Now realize SUVs are popular so for that budget you could get a much better sedan but in my area here are the types of good SUVs in that general price range

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/roseville-2002-toyota-highlander/7258684779.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/union-city-2001-toyota-highlander/7260994282.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/woodland-2004-honda-cr/7260591047.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-2005-chevrolet-suburban-ls/7261182785.html

As you can see they are all high miles I would look for a sedan.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-1998-toyota-camry-le/7260598318.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-2002-toyota-avalon-xls/7260513729.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/antelope-2005-toyota-corolla/7258725771.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-2005-honda-civic-runs/7261022157.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/elk-grove-1999-honda-accord-lx/7259626013.html

I dont't recommend any SUV in that price range. It will just end up costing you more in repairs.

For $2500, a sedan or compact is the only decent car you'll get.

Not bad if it has under 100K miles but that price is too high for a 14-year-old Sonata.

Get a scan tool on the OBD2 link, and look for codes. Or better yet, pay a mechanic to look at it. Frankly, I don't know what you mean when you say "puffy from the oil cap." It doesn't sound good, though. 

And what is, precisely, a strong pulse on a start up? Does the engine shake? (Perhaps the motor mounts are bad). And so forth . . . 

You need diagnostic data. Don't buy it if there are issues that you've not identified, because you don't know the risk that you're taking. Again, a Pre Purchased Inspection by a diagnostic mechanic might cost a bit, but it will save you, potentially, thousands in heartache. 

I would not touch a Hyundai

Unfortunately with the market the way it is you're not going to find much that's decent in that price range.

It is going to be hard to find a good SUV that cheap. If you can find a good Honda, Toyota, or Subaru in that price range then go for it, but they tend to be expensive. If you can find a good Mazda in that price range go for it because they tend to be pretty good too, but even a good Mazda will probably be hard to find at that price. If you can find a Suzuki, a good one vary well may be in that price range. If you can find it go for it as they were pretty solid. If not, try looking at the Ford SUVs. They weren't great but they tend to be cheap. I would never pay much for one but if you can get one cheap enough they can be okay cars as long as they don't have the Ecoboost. Stay away from the Hyundais and Kiss. They don't hold up well over time.

10 year

2008 were junk. 2004-2007 had the Honda V6, 2008 went back to the GM V6. If it has the ecotec engine it isn’t bad as long as you change the oil every 3-4k miles. If you stretch it further the oil will be black by 5k, eventually the timing chain will stretch and you’ll be hating life. The Auto trans in them were junk as well 2008 didn’t have a manual option like my 2006 that I am aware off. 

See Scotty’s response here:

https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/2008-saturn-vue-xr-v6/#post-17698

I would pass especially at that mileage and being first year of that (1st) generation:

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Equinox/2005/

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/chevy-equinox-the-most-common-problems-you-should-know-about/

From technical point: If it has a four cylinder eninge, it may suffer from the oil consumption but the chance is not as high as the 2007 and 2008 model years. If you decided to buy it, make sure do the dry and wet compression tets. 

Pricewise, you should check your local listings and find out if it is a good deal or not, especially in this market

Hi Scotty,

My wife is Interested in buying a used SUV. A vehicle that we definitely can afford range in $900 to $2500. What is a great buy SUV? I have an 02 Chevy trailblazer and I know your thoughts on GM products From the newer ages and she don’t want that !! What is your thoughts on used Small SUV to buy? 

thanks!!!!!!

Its not the most popular but kia sorento's are pretty awesome. My step mom has had hers since 2007 and has 200k on it and still running good. Seen some go for about 1.5k or around that price.

I was thinking the older Ford Explorers with RWD.  Then I remembered, Scotty made a video about this:

(6) If You Don't Have This Cheap SUV You're Stupid - YouTube

There are some good Subaru's from the early 2000's or 90s.  But they were much smaller then. There are also Honda's and Toyota's.

Thanks family!!!!!

Hi family, I am interested in buying this Hyundai they have it on craigslist for 3500. Are 2007 Hyundai Sonata good used cars? Thanks

My mom has one, she doesn't put many miles on hers. Probably less than 70k on it. The main computer failed at 5k, probably freaked it out when she took a road trip. Had to replace the driver window regulator and brake light switch, not much else. $3500 seems high to me, but it depends on the market you are in, I reckon.

Depends on the mileage and how the vehicle is holding. They are ok cars, but if you want to keep it as long as possible or put a lot of mileage you might be better off looking for accord or camry. But these will cost more as you buy it, less in the long run. Depends what you want and what you can afford.

That isn't a lot of miles but I wouldn't pay much. Make sure to have a mechanic check it out. Those late 2000s Hyundais were cheap in that lots of small stuff would fail but nothing major like the engine blowing up or catching on fire like the new ones. Have a mechanic check it out, if its in good shape offer $2500 max. With $3500 I'd get a same year Corolla.

Hi guys,  

what your thoughts Hyundai Elantra 2009 for $3,800?

If under 100k miles, sure have at it. If it's over 100k miles, run away. Korean quality has gone DOWN. Usually 100k miles problem free, but after they will be the replica of a German car, and will depreciate insanely.

Hi Scotty 

Today, I look at a used 07 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L with 126,000 miles on it for $3900 and the car lot guy is firm on the price. But I do have a couple of questions my first question is when I removed the oil cap and I felt a strong Pulse on a cold start up Is that something to worry about? Also I noticed that the car were slightly a little bit warmed up And the temperature gage did not move but it was like a three minute start up is there also something to worry about or should I walk away from the car? Lastly,  is that too much money for a 14 year old Toyota Corolla  Please keep in mind that toyota can last for 1,000,000 miles. please let me know your thoughts? I definitely would like to see if Scotty can pinpoint on that issue regarding the puffy from the oil cap area.

thanks 

Hi Scotty 

Today, I look at a used 07 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L with 126,000 miles on it for $3900 and the car lot guy is firm on the price. But I do have a couple of questions my first question is when I removed the oil cap and I felt a strong Pulse on a cold start up Is that something to worry about? Also I noticed that the car were slightly a little bit warmed up And the temperature gage did not move but it was like a three minute start up is there also something to worry about or should I walk away from the car? Lastly,  is that too much money for a 14 year old Toyota Corolla  Please keep in mind that toyota can last for 1,000,000 miles. please let me know your thoughts? I definitely would like to see if Scotty can pinpoint on that issue regarding the pulse from the oil cap area.

thanks 

I can't speak for every part of that, but I can say I would avoid a car that has been warmed up.  You need to be able to test it out after it has sat all night.  Some other folks on here can probably tell you a lot more.  

Hi Scotty,

what do you think about buying a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe for 4,500 and with 135000? 

What are your thoughts?