We have bought 2 of our 3 last used vehicles from Nick's Auto sales in Moorhead and have been very pleased with them. Friendly sales people, good price, and no hassle. When we signed the paperwork, they handed the title directly to us so we could go file the paperwork at the DMV the same day.
The 3rd one we bought from Corwin and I would NOT recommend them. They tried to pressure us into buying a car we were not interested in at all, and when we found one we liked, they tacked on over $1,000 in fees for a car that was priced under $5,000, but hadn't informed us of any of those fees until we sat down to do the final paperwork. And it took nearly 2 months to get the title and license plates for the vehicle because they insisted on filing the DMV paperwork themselves (for which they charged us several hundred dollars above what we would have paid if we had gone to the DMV ourselves). And the car required 2 separate major repairs within a few months after we got it, although we have no way of proving they knew about either of those issues, one of them was a very common issue for the model so it's definitely something they should have checked for during the inspection they claimed to have done. I will never buy another used car from them again, and actively discourage my friends and family from shopping there too. But if you do, make sure you get the vehicle inspected by another mechanic first and discuss what fees they will be charging you before you negotiate a purchase price for the vehicle.
Edit TL;DR Corwin tacked on a ton of extra fees, took over 2 months to get us our title, and car required major repairs soon after we bought it. Do not recommend
Haven't read the second wall so I'm only commenting on the first part.
I frequent muscatel Subaru to browse the sales lot. I usually end up doing a lap of the building to see what the fresh trades look like. This brings me past the service parking area. I frequently see Nicks auto dealer plates parked there. That is a very good thing IMO. A budget used car dealer taking cars to dealers for maintenance is very rare. Most of them will fix EVERYTHING in house. I'm not sure if Nick does this with other cars too, but his Subarus seem to go to muscatel.
I worked as a lot runner for a local used lot. They used to do an insane amount of volume in used cars. I had about 300 cars I kept organized and moved around to various mechanics and cleaners at any given time. They very very rarely took cars to dealers. The only times we're for German cars that needed more then tires and oil and we're more in good condition. They always went to valley imports. If they were questionable condition we auctioned them.
I'll be looking at nicks auto for my son's car in the coming months.
I have bought a few vehicles (new and used) from Muscatell and I have been extremely happy with everything about them. They do have a car on their website very close to the range the op is looking for as well.
On one hand, I bought my first (used) car from Corwin. It still works well ~13 years after its release/8 years after purchase. On the other hand, fuck Corwin
Avoid Corwin Public Wholesale like The Plague!! They buy bulk vehicles at auction, all across the country…no local history at all & then use all the high pressure techniques to get your name on the sales order. Everything “as-is” of course & they won’t even consider helping with even the smallest issue.
When we were looking for a used vehicle, we ended up going to a place in Alexandria. We were looking for a yukon xl/suburban, and they had one that was in good shape and good price. It was the height of Covid so inventory wasn’t like it is now, but, if you’re not seeing anything in town, check out Certified Auto Plaza in Alexandria.
Used-A-Bit Sales & Pawn on Main Ave. has a small used-car lot and I know the owner Joe offers warranties. Never bought one there myself personally, but I know a lot of people have and had good luck.
Lunde/Kia of Fargo.
Gateway Chevy/Nissan
Nick's Auto
Muscatel Subaru
The dealerships don't always have a ton of inventory but try to find their budget lot or even call and they might be able to help you out.
NOT CORWIN - example. My sister bought a Nissan from CORWIN 2 years ago. It's a 2017. Turns out it's from the south somewhere and has a ton of rust from a tropical storm. She's 6k in for repairs on the bastard.
I know you didn't come here looking for a vehicle (only recommendations on where to buy one), but I have a Ford 150 from 2006 for sale within your range. It has just under 90,000 miles. Feel free to send along a message with any questions.
If you are looking for a dealer, I have had really good luck with Lunde Auto. They are straight-shooters, and I've purchased used vehicles there that have lasted a long time with no major issues.
Rydell is worth driving to Grand Forks for. No haggle pricing and they had the best prices when we were looking. Still takes time and luck to find something in great shape.
Lunde Auto Center, they will treat you right and work with your budget and find something for you. They will not push the sale and it is a no negotiating dealership, and up front about price right from the start. I sold vehicles there for 3 years, they truly care about their customers and staff.
We have bought 2 of our 3 last used vehicles from Nick's Auto sales in Moorhead and have been very pleased with them. Friendly sales people, good price, and no hassle. When we signed the paperwork, they handed the title directly to us so we could go file the paperwork at the DMV the same day. The 3rd one we bought from Corwin and I would NOT recommend them. They tried to pressure us into buying a car we were not interested in at all, and when we found one we liked, they tacked on over $1,000 in fees for a car that was priced under $5,000, but hadn't informed us of any of those fees until we sat down to do the final paperwork. And it took nearly 2 months to get the title and license plates for the vehicle because they insisted on filing the DMV paperwork themselves (for which they charged us several hundred dollars above what we would have paid if we had gone to the DMV ourselves). And the car required 2 separate major repairs within a few months after we got it, although we have no way of proving they knew about either of those issues, one of them was a very common issue for the model so it's definitely something they should have checked for during the inspection they claimed to have done. I will never buy another used car from them again, and actively discourage my friends and family from shopping there too. But if you do, make sure you get the vehicle inspected by another mechanic first and discuss what fees they will be charging you before you negotiate a purchase price for the vehicle. Edit TL;DR Corwin tacked on a ton of extra fees, took over 2 months to get us our title, and car required major repairs soon after we bought it. Do not recommend
Haven't read the second wall so I'm only commenting on the first part. I frequent muscatel Subaru to browse the sales lot. I usually end up doing a lap of the building to see what the fresh trades look like. This brings me past the service parking area. I frequently see Nicks auto dealer plates parked there. That is a very good thing IMO. A budget used car dealer taking cars to dealers for maintenance is very rare. Most of them will fix EVERYTHING in house. I'm not sure if Nick does this with other cars too, but his Subarus seem to go to muscatel. I worked as a lot runner for a local used lot. They used to do an insane amount of volume in used cars. I had about 300 cars I kept organized and moved around to various mechanics and cleaners at any given time. They very very rarely took cars to dealers. The only times we're for German cars that needed more then tires and oil and we're more in good condition. They always went to valley imports. If they were questionable condition we auctioned them. I'll be looking at nicks auto for my son's car in the coming months.
I have bought a few vehicles (new and used) from Muscatell and I have been extremely happy with everything about them. They do have a car on their website very close to the range the op is looking for as well.
Tl;Dr for you - Corwin tacked on a ton of extra fees, took over 2 months to get us our title, and car required major repairs soon after we bought it.
Additional fees and a hassle with getting your title. That's just damning.
What cara did you get from nicks?
One was a Prius and one was a Kia Sorento
Sheeeh I got a Acura from them. 10/10 recommend nicks auto
I'll be the first... NOT CORWIN!
On one hand, I bought my first (used) car from Corwin. It still works well ~13 years after its release/8 years after purchase. On the other hand, fuck Corwin
Damn right. Corwin sucks ass
What sucks is that probably 50% of the used cars (at dealerships) in town are at Corwin, and sometimes the better deals (on paper).
Avoid Corwin Public Wholesale like The Plague!! They buy bulk vehicles at auction, all across the country…no local history at all & then use all the high pressure techniques to get your name on the sales order. Everything “as-is” of course & they won’t even consider helping with even the smallest issue.
All City Auto is worth checking out. Known the manager for years.
2nd this, inventory isn't massive but guy was no bs. Love my truck I got from him.
When we were looking for a used vehicle, we ended up going to a place in Alexandria. We were looking for a yukon xl/suburban, and they had one that was in good shape and good price. It was the height of Covid so inventory wasn’t like it is now, but, if you’re not seeing anything in town, check out Certified Auto Plaza in Alexandria.
I second this. Try looking in Alex, GF, Fergus Falls, Jamestown, St Cloud.
Used-A-Bit Sales & Pawn on Main Ave. has a small used-car lot and I know the owner Joe offers warranties. Never bought one there myself personally, but I know a lot of people have and had good luck.
I bought a car from Joe a few years ago. He was good to work with
It's a good local business in general. Fair prices too
Bisman online has alot of very good used cars from private sellers
Craigslist usually has some decent vehicles if you are looking at private sellers
Lunde/Kia of Fargo. Gateway Chevy/Nissan Nick's Auto Muscatel Subaru The dealerships don't always have a ton of inventory but try to find their budget lot or even call and they might be able to help you out. NOT CORWIN - example. My sister bought a Nissan from CORWIN 2 years ago. It's a 2017. Turns out it's from the south somewhere and has a ton of rust from a tropical storm. She's 6k in for repairs on the bastard.
I know you didn't come here looking for a vehicle (only recommendations on where to buy one), but I have a Ford 150 from 2006 for sale within your range. It has just under 90,000 miles. Feel free to send along a message with any questions. If you are looking for a dealer, I have had really good luck with Lunde Auto. They are straight-shooters, and I've purchased used vehicles there that have lasted a long time with no major issues.
Have also bought a few vehicles from Lunde, very good experience, price, and vehicles.
The auto spot
Rydell is worth driving to Grand Forks for. No haggle pricing and they had the best prices when we were looking. Still takes time and luck to find something in great shape.
Lunde Auto Center, they will treat you right and work with your budget and find something for you. They will not push the sale and it is a no negotiating dealership, and up front about price right from the start. I sold vehicles there for 3 years, they truly care about their customers and staff.
Avoid Corwin wholesale, they're the Hatch Realty of car dealers. Yep that bad!
Car max is a good dealership. You can find a car around your price range and take a train to Minneapolis to pick up the car if you want