An update.
Not knowing what vehicles will still be available when I arrive, I've put off doing any serious searching until the next few days. Flying out next week.
I contacted a couple of dealers on Craigslist and explained the situation. Naturally, they prefer the simpler scenario; they sell car, I buy car. End of story.
However, both offered to sell the car I purchase on consignment after my daughter's gig ends after 90 days. I hold the title until they sell. They profit on both ends. Might work.
Another idea is to purchase a used Prius since they hold their resale value pretty well. 50 mpg isn't bad either. I don't really want to buy a new one for $30k. At the end of summer, we sell it, or as an option drive it home with or without daughter (depending on her school schedule). I figure it would only take about 5 tanks of gas to get home and maybe 7-10 days. It'd be a good bonding trip as well though not as good as doing it in a 911. I'm sure we could generate some road stories for the memories. For example I could duplicate the Top Gear route through Alabama, even paint the words "NASCAR SUCKS", "COUNTRY WESTERN RUBBISH", MAN LOVE RULES or "HILLARY FOR PREZ" on the car for some highway interest.
Reminder:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rq-kK7GEb7M
Once it's home, I can patch the bullet holes, then sell it or the current econo Honda or keep it.
Any comments? Too ambitious?
Sherwood