Best place for used cars in Vancouver?
Auction
I’m looking for something that won’t crap out on me, but my budget is only $1,000. Any good experiences with used lots or auction houses? Any ‘car search’ agencies? I prefer not to buy privately, for my own reasons.
Answers see additional comments below.

I’m not really sure about Vancouver, but my friends and family have been pretty successful with this website. It has a lot of great information on used cars avilable at great deals. Check it out.
http://www.find-cheap-used-cars.com/
find at http://theclickinfo.com/used_cars.tci
Depends where you live
If US:
http://www.autotrader.com/research/used-cars/index.jsp
http://www.autotrader.com/research/index.jsp (Research)
http://www.ebay.com (personal classified ads)
http://www.craigslist.org (personal classified ads)
If UK:
http://www.allapprovedcars.com/UsedCarSearch.aspx
http://www.johngrose.co.uk (dealers)
http://www.citygatevolkswagen.co.uk/ (dealers)
http://www.sytner.co.uk (dealers)
http://www.ebay.co.uk (personal & reseller classified ads)
http://www.gumtree.com (personal classified website)
Also you can directly visit your prefered car official website and find their used car locator search option where you can have the feasibility to search the available used cars.
The above answers are arranged on the reliability as well as the buy it with confidence because of the company goodwill and quality service.
Again it depends on your personal choice like brand, features, cost, availability and your current living place. Hope that helps.
Cheers
http://www.portfolio-europe.com
in Canada:
http://www.auto4you.ca/Town/Vancouver.html