Mileage? I have zero prior car knowledge, PLEASE HELP

I do not have a formula for miles vs car value but I would recommend a car under 100,000 miles and lower is always better. If you think you will be driving a lot of miles each year multiply that number by the years of the car loan and add that to the existing miles. If that number is anywhere near 200,000 buy a lower mile car. Good luck!

Lower mileage is better. Over 100K miles you can expect to start making repairs, minor to major, really depends on how well the vehicle was treated. Buying a used car is a risk as most are sold with no warranty or guarantee. "As is." Ideally, you want someone with some mechanical knowledge or car buying experience along with you when you go shopping for a car. They can help you avoid common pitfalls made by novice buyers. Try to steer clear of the used car lots. They tend to buy their cars from an auction house like Manheim, Adesa, IAA, jack the prices up at least 2 grand over what they paid, then use some high-APR third party loan originators to really put the screws to you. Network with your friends, your family, your friend's families, co-workers, etc., to find a used car for sale. Always run the VIN of any car you're interested in, and if it's a big chunk of change, be sure to get a CARFAX report before you sign anything. If dealing with a salesman, it doesn't matter what he tells you - all that matters is what is on the buyers agreement you put your signature on. So read it twice and make sure you understand the loan rate before you sign period.

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