How much have you lost on a used old car in a short period?

[EggsBenedict]

I think that the 4-7K bracket represents the danger zone. It feels like you should be able to get a solid motor in that zone and cars can look/feel good still, even if they're old. However, it's where you get suckered into fixing something that is expensive because it's more like 'well,that's a decent bill, but it's still a good car and these things sometimes happen'. And then you get another one, and before you know it, your 5K car is a 10K car.

Contrast that to shed territory where if you get a big bill (or there's one in the offing) you would reasonably write the car off and find another one.