Uncomplicating Cars

Published: April 13, 2026

As summer approaches many of us look at the pile of rust on four wheels sitting in our garage, driveway, or for many of us, the dorm parking lot, and think about swapping it for something newer, quieter, or slightly more reliable. However, for many of us, financing our outright buying a new car isn’t financially in the cards. While finding a new-to-you used car can seem daunting, there are a few things to keep in mind to make it a more manageable ordeal. This column’s goal is not for you to find your dream car, but simply a car without breaking the bank on a college student’s budget.

The first step is to choose what you’ll need out of your car for the next few years. Once you’ve determined if you’ll need a regular car, or something larger like a truck or van, it’s time to head to Facebook marketplace. As you’re browsing through listings it’s time to take into consideration which manufacturers you should look for and which you should avoid. The following is my personal list of brands to steer towards and stay away from:

Top five: Honda, Toyota, Pre-2020s Subaru, Volvo, 2000/90s Chevy/Buick.

Bottom five: Kia, Jeep/Chrysler, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan. 

Along with which automaker you choose a car from, there are a few additional factors to consider: Structural condition, mileage, past service history, and owners. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to find a car with less than 175,000 miles. 

Rust is another concern, small patches of surface rust on body panels, fenders etc. are expected on older cars, these are a few places you’ll want to avoid any major rust. The area directly underneath the doors, any suspension components, floor panels, and anywhere that seems like there wouldn’t normally be rust. 

Solid service records and maintenance history are imperative to making sure that even a top five car won’t leave you stranded. Give any car you consider a test drive, city and highway, listen for creaks and groans in the suspension, along with excess vibration or ticking. Once you’re parked again check underneath for any fluid leaks. 

Lastly, before you withdraw that fat wad of cash, there are a few red flags, something many of us at USM are well-acquainted with, that you should avoid at all costs: Missing title or bill of sale only. Maine law allows cars older than 20 years to not have a title, a missing on a wonderfully cheap car may mean it was stolen. Similarly, a rebuilt title without comprehensive documentation of how and why is equally shifty. Any offers to take over payments on a car should be another instant no, someone who’s selling a car before it’s paid off definitely hasn’t had the money to take care of it properly. 

If you follow the tips in this guide you can drive away in a car that may not be fast or cool, but it will be a reliable companion for many miles to come.