Finding a decent used car for a kid

[Dantilla]

If he's the irresponsible type, I'd put him in a small pick-up, so he can have only one passenger.
I had the family's old Chevy Caprice station wagon my freshman year, and it turned into a bus for the dorm.
I behaved, but put a bunch of frat boys in one car, and expect mayhem.

Side note- By the end of the year, I bought my own car so I didn't have to drive a land yacht with phony wood paneling.
Boy, was that 1978 Monte Carlo spiffy!

[flipper35]

How about a cheap 500cc street bike?

[KFC911]

Look at the bright side....he had a freakin' ball at LSU this semester ...

...and are you adopting ?

I got my college Scwinn hangin' in the garage....beats walkin'....it's FREE!

[Tobra]

Patient was telling me her husband bought a 2005 Caddy with 100,000 miles on it for $1800 to be his airport car. Pick up a Cadillac or Buick from a blue hair that is giving up driving. You will have to go with a private party sale.

Veracity challenged is no way to go through life. Whatever solution you come up with needs to involve some pain for the boy. Bicycle is a fine way to get around.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RedBaron

^^^ buy him a geo metro.

or 1.4L 52hp, but possibly even worse.

[911 Rod]

Do you get snow where you are?

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Patient was telling me her husband bought a 2005 Caddy with 100,000 miles on it for $1800 to be his airport car. Pick up a Cadillac or Buick from a blue hair that is giving up driving. You will have to go with a private party sale.

Veracity challenged is no way to go through life. Whatever solution you come up with needs to involve some pain for the boy. Bicycle is a fine way to get around.

Good tip. I forgot about that, I met a guy that said he goes to retirement communities and care homes to look at the bulletin boards for cars.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

If we weren't getting close to finals, and he lived close to campus, then you can bet I'd only be buying a new pair of shoes. However my wife is tired of playing taxi with a round trip of about 50 miles.
He called me and said it would crank, got there and timing belt broke. Had it towed in, I don't have time, to be repaired. Got call saying that it was the timing belt, but the belt came off because the timing gear broke in half, because the camshaft seized due to no oil. I am still pissed over that and now having to do this crap. So venting is all I can do at this point and finish the task at hand. Normally i like looking at cars for deals and that sort of thing, but this situation put "looking at cars" isreally loathsome.

You guys don't have buses in Louisiana?

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

So my youngest, who doesn't know a wrench from a screwdriver, burned up the engine in a decent Camry. i was on him about the oil, and he lied up one side and down the other..

no offense, But what was your question again.?


You Sir, are an enabler.


they are in college.
they are young adults.

Are you going to buy them another car 3-5-10 years from now>

Or are you now the Oil Nanny Baby-sitter?




Me:

as a teen, I keep losing my Dads tools.

He bought me my own set. "it's all on you now"


of course I whined and sniffled , but it was ON ME and my responsibility.



Parents will always be there in need of an emergency, maybe this is tough love and "dude, you lied lied lied to me about your oil. You are a dipstick, for not checking the dip stick?"

"Well Dad, it had oil in it when I bought it....."






IMHO I may be wrong.

[Bugsinrugs]

Tough crowd!

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Zeke

You know what the problem is with a $3000 car for a kid? It costs $3000/yr to insure it.

Dang, that brings back memories when I went around getting my DL, registering the 944 I'd bought, and paying my newly acquired insurance bill all on the same day.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

If we weren't getting close to finals, and he lived close to campus, then you can bet I'd only be buying a new pair of shoes. However my wife is tired of playing taxi with a round trip of about 50 miles.
He called me and said it would crank, got there and timing belt broke. Had it towed in, I don't have time, to be repaired. Got call saying that it was the timing belt, but the belt came off because the timing gear broke in half, because the camshaft seized due to no oil. I am still pissed over that and now having to do this crap. So venting is all I can do at this point and finish the task at hand. Normally i like looking at cars for deals and that sort of thing, but this situation put "looking at cars" isreally loathsome.

What is meant by no oil?

No oil at the camshaft, or not enough oil in the oil pan?

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

If he's the irresponsible type, I'd put him in a small pick-up, so he can have only one passenger.!

^^^ Get him a 4 cylinder/stick S10 pickup. They will disapear from rust but live forever with minimal maintenance.

[yellowperil]

[Sooner or later]

How old is he?

[Tobra]

Bus pass is not a bad idea, or Uber

[908/930]

Are you sure the mechanic is not pulling a fast one? From what I have seen in the past the pistons will seize and stall the engine, I would expect rod bearings to go long before the cam got stuck?

I will say that I have no experience with that engine, but seems strange.

[Scott Douglas]

Luxo barge within budget:

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/d/yorba-linda-1999-cadillac-deville-de/7015451319.html

[Instrument 41]

Ok guys, finally found something. But to answer questions. No we don;t have public transportation were we live. Its south Louisiana, no sneaux, He doesn't live on campus. Yes it may seem like I'm enabling, but for the sake of not spelling out the details, I am not enabling. He is 22 but going on 14. The comment on insurance is spot on, so I put it my name .So, found a 2005 G35 Infinity, 140K on the clock, interior is in great shape, paint might can be helped with a good cut and buff. Mechanically its great. the V6 auto rwd combo is solid. No leaks, creaks, rattles, everything works. Asking 5200 picked it up for 0004. New tires. SO we are now done. Did find it on a lot but it was one of those best quality turds in a sea of "other" turds. Actually, I took the 2001 Camry his older brother is driving gave it to numb nuts, and bought this for my other son. One more year to get his M.E., interning with a manufacture and has a 3.6 and also works part time.
The journey has re affirmed my attitude toward low level car salesman.

[Scott Douglas]

Glad to hear you have the pecking order in place re:grades/performance = better car.
Sounds like a fine solution.