It depends on what car you are looking for. For my family size I went for a mini van and that cost my around $5,000. This is the cost of the car at the auction plus I've to pay auction fees, the dealer fees, engine inspection, temporary registration number, insurance for one month costing $1,000. In addition I've to take the car for state inspection costing $60 plus vehicle registration estimating to be $400-$500. Then pay monthly insurance of about $100.
My car is 2006 make with less millage (about 40,000) that is why the cost. But I realised later that I could have got a similar make (2000-2003) for less than half the price I bout mine. You could get some for about $1000 or less at the public auction. Yesterday there were very good cars at the auction which went for $750. So basically every thing depends on what you are looking for.