I don't know where you're getting these crazy ads. …
Random sample from edmunds.com for Phoenix.
2009 Accord with 85k for $8600. … 2004 Accord with 131k for $5900.
To my thinking neither $8600 nor $5900 are "a couple of grand."
I also ask myself, "In this market, why would someone unload a '300,000 mile car'?"
… 2004 Civic for $3500. The last one has 246k but as I said, these things last forever so that isn't a huge deal. Here's a great 2002 Camry with only 132k for only $3600.…
Closer to "a couple of grand," but 246,000 miles???
We had a 2000 Camry that died (head gasket, repair estimate from reliable independent mechanic was $3500 in 2014 Jєωbux) at 120,000 odometer miles, scrupulously maintained, and no hard driving.
I'm not saying there is not a needle in the haystack, only that I burned out on the car shopping process until the spirit moves me again.
It's possible that our inflation rate in Phoenix (currently the highest in the nation) may be coloring our local prices. I also looked out-of-state, but that added to the headache and burn-out.