u/Anachronism--

I see various recommendations for bedding in new brake pads but most seem to be accelerate to 15-20 mph and brake moderately hard without stopping. And repeat 10 and up to 50! Times! And do each brake separately.

I just replaced both sets of brake pads. Do I really need to spend an hour accelerating to 15 mph and braking 50 times per set?

Or can I just ride and not come to a complete stop and take into account my brakes may not be up to full strength for a while? I do mostly cross country and flow trail style riding so I don’t need maximum stopping power most of the time. And it shouldn’t be difficult to avoid coming to a complete stop.

A friend needs a car and the only requirement is it gets them back and forth to work. What is the minimum you should expect to be able to spend and get a car that runs and has no major issues?

No once in a lifetime deals, no 'I know a guy', just the average person off the street trying to buy a car.