I cant decide if i want a car for 3k with no warranty, or something more like 17k with a warranty...

IMO, you can fix a LOT on a car for the price difference between 3k and 17k. I bought my minivan from just an individual nearly 3 years ago for $3800 and I haven't had to put a dime into it. There is a risk, but a lot of that risk can be taken away by a good, thorough inspection before you make the purchase.

I think we are thinking differently in terms of payments. I wouldn't consider financing the lower value, and would put away any money that would have gone toward a payment toward repairs. When we talk about $17k financed, we are paying interest on that, too. I mean, if you can't afford NOT to finance, you have to I guess, but I would much rather do a $3k cash car knowing that I would need some money put up for repairs than take on monthly payments with interest, too.

Is there nothing in between? Like maybe $8K with a warranty?

If not, I think I'd have an outside mechanic take a look at the car with no warranty and see if it gets a clean bill of health. Run a CarFax report on it.

My piece of crap car was $800. I bought it figuring it'd last me a year or so. That was three years ago and, although it is the ugliest thing I've ever driven, it runs like a dream.

IMO, you can fix a LOT on a car for the price difference between 3k and 17k

While I agree with that. There is not typically a lot of major problems you could fix for the cost of one payment. Meaning my payment is $150 every paycheck. I know I can have $150 every paycheck. If I bought a car outright. I would have no more than $150 to fix it every other week. Our cooling problem cost us a $50 'co-pay' it would have cost ups $500 for what they had to replace. There is no way I could have done that... like no way. lol. So I stick with the situation pay a lot into the decision.

I would get whatever you have the cash for.

Getting a loan on a depreciating asset isn't the smartest financial move.

There is not typically a lot of major problems you could fix for the cost of one payment. Meaning my payment is $150 every paycheck. I know I can have $150 every paycheck. If I bought a car outright. I would have no more than $150 to fix it every other week. Our cooling problem cost us a $50 'co-pay' it would have cost ups $500 for what they had to replace. There is no way I could have done that... like no way. lol. So I stick with the situation pay a lot into the decision.

There is this new concept out, it's called saving. Maybe you have heard of it? You put that $300 in the bank every month, and by the end of the year you have $3600, which is more than enough to fix most problems, or the start of savings for another car.

IME- warranty is better. But your situation has a lot to do with it as well. We bought a used car for a lot with a warranty and it has already paid off when there became a leak int eh cooling system. We go through cars like water in the last 7 years. I am so happy to have a reliable and 'covered' vehicle even if it does mean payments. It works for us right now though. It never did in the past.

I'd buy used and make them add a warranty. That is the only way we buy cars now.
Don't buy a new one