You’re right, Mike. Every now & then you DO run across a 10 year old vehicle that was well maintained, and has some life left in it. I once bought a Chevy Caprice for $3000 that was 8 years old with 70,000 miles on it and carefully driven and maintained by a female hospital employee who always parked it inside, at home or at work. The only problem I had with it was the rear end bearings; $450 solved that.
We put an additional 70,000 miles on it over a 10 year period and changed the starter, radiator, alternator, battery, exhaust system, belts, hoses, brakes and other wear items, but no engine, transmission or other major stuff.
If you buy a well maintained older car from a senior citizen who stops driving, you can also end up with a good deal.