Following on my original comment - I saved about $4k over the next cheapest option (which would have still been a very good discount vs. new) simply by expandin

Following on my original comment - I saved about $4k over the next cheapest option (which would have still been a very good discount vs. new) simply by expanding my range from 150 miles to 500 miles and finding one in the middle of nowhere. Having the salesperson/owner drive the car over to a mechanic to do a CPO-like audit of its condition greatly reduces the risk of a more remote purchase. A one way ticket from San Diego to Vegas was $180, and a 2 hour shuttle from there to St. George (mistakenly said Odgen above) was only $20. The salesperson from the dealership picked me up from the bus station and after a brief test drive and some paperwork I got on the road for the 450 mile drive back. I left home on the train to the airport at 9am, and was back at home with my new to me car at 11pm that night. Considering we're on "Hacker" News, it's very much a worthwhile process to hack considering the cost savings vs. actual effort.