If a used car is acceptable, you might be able to get a former fleet car at a much better price and quality than a typical used car. Fleet used car dealers don’t advertise much, because they often buy and sell blocks of cars at once.
The fleet route is the way to go. Back in 2003, I picked up a 2002 Mazda 626 with 17,000 miles on it for $10,800 (original sticker was just over $21,000.) It still drives like new today.