small car for my youngist kid.

[jhynesrockmtn]

One of my buddies has an Accord of that vintage. I think he's at roughly 300,000 miles and counting. I like the used Prius idea if the batteries test well. 2 of my kids have them and they have been rock solid. In the end if you can find a well maintained Toyota, Honda or Mazda I don't think you can go wrong.

[billybek]

I bought an awd Matrix last summer for my son to drive.
It has the 2.4 n/a engine in it and has enough power to get out of its own way.
I have driven it in the snow and it does an admirable job of getting around.

The fwd versions are often much less expensive.

Edit: It is a fun little car to drive around.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The Focus ST was a hot topic here on OT when it came out and I was thinking of them just the other day.

Are the cars all that? Super fun and sporty?

I have one since new as a daily. 70k miles exactly zero issues, easy to do maintenance, and pretty fun


I think prius is a great option as an appliance

[Alan A]

How old is the kid?

#1 is 18. He took his car to college - 850 miles away. I knew it was happening and we got him something newer. With a warranty. For that reason.

If the kids not moving far - and you don’t need AWD - another vote for a Mazda 3. If you do want AWD look for a Subaru Legacy.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

Honda CRV? My son has one; it's been a good car for the last 200k miles...

The 2.4L will stretch it's timing chain if run low on oil. It will run like shiet or not start if so, but I have never seen one that does not run like a top after new timing hardware is installed. They say interference engine but it ain't.

300k miles if slightly better than casual maintenance.

The Chevy Cruze WITHOUT turbo is a great car. Change the oil and expect some VVT solenoid hassles. PCV valve anomolies. Chump change. It's best if you are not a full size human being.

Chevy Volt. Impressed with these as to value. Hybrid. Premium gas in the internal combustion engine.

Other recommendations are better cars than the last two but these are inexpensive yet still ok.

[Baz]

I wouldn't rule out a Volvo.

Especially if you could get one with the side air bags.

If you spend a little time you can sort through the classifieds and find one that has been cared for and with service kept up.

=============

Here's one I just located nearby in my (Daytona area) Craigslist. I mean if you want the distinguish yourself from all the others who are driving the run of the mill variety......

Volvo S80 2009 84K Miles Nice car! - $5,900 (Ormond Beach)

Thanks for looking at our 2 Owner Volvo S80 Sedan. The exterior is like new with virtually not a mark on it. The wheels are all excellent. The engine bay shows like new. The interior, as you can see in the pictures is in super shape with very little wear at all. This S80 has been serviced by the dealer since new and runs excellent. Ice cold A/C. These cars are great buys in this Market. Feel free to call us at 1 386 295 3886 or 295 3301. Thanks solarxautos.com

[JeremyD]

Too bad you are in LA - My mom gave her 2020 VW Jetta to my son - he has a 2017 Golf DSG that he will probably sell. 4 door 93K miles - just doing a oil change on it this weekend

But good suggestions on here

(I was looking at the VW Golf and the Mazda 3 at the time) Ended up finding a good deal on a VW Golf (2015 was MT Car of the year)

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Baz

snip


Here's one I just located nearby in my (Daytona area) Craigslist. I mean if you want the distinguish yourself from all the others who are driving the run of the mill variety......

That’s a dealer. I’d be verifying every word they say before trusting any of them…

Old Volvo wagons FTW…

[WPOZZZ]

A Volvo 240/242 will last forever. Or have them be the cool kid with a Bertone Volvo!

[look 171]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

A Volvo 240/242 will last forever. Or have them be the cool kid with a Bertone Volvo!

My younger don't give a rats ass about being cool with a car. He just want anything that will run, of course, the nicer the better. Not into cars like his older brother, likes Porsches. He eyeing all my 911s and drives them every chance he gets and only washes them and none of the other cars.

[look 171]

Thanks for all the suggestion. I forgotten about the Focus. Must add to list. I think Honda and toyota are out of the question due to the higher buy in fee but I do know cars like Corollas and Camrys (sp) do not break. If I can't get that Honda Accord V6 (too nice for him with 55k on the clock). I will start looking.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JeremyD

Too bad you are in LA - My mom gave her 2020 VW Jetta to my son - he has a 2017 Golf DSG that he will probably sell. 4 door 93K miles - just doing a oil change on it this weekend

But good suggestions on here

(I was looking at the VW Golf and the Mazda 3 at the time) Ended up finding a good deal on a VW Golf (2015 was MT Car of the year)

Yeah, too far. thanks

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Alan A

That’s a dealer. I’d be verifying every word they say before trusting any of them…

Old Volvo wagons FTW…

I'm a wagon man myself so can relate. I only posted that sedan because it was the best example that fit Jeff's criteria I could find in my local CL.

And I didn't see Volvo mentioned in the thread as an option. And thought it certainly should have been.

As far as the seller being a "dealer" - don't forget that doesn't equate to "dealership".
I have made two purchases from "dealers" who are nothing more than 1 or 2 person operations. One was a father and son and more recently a husband and wife.

BOTH of those transactions were fantastic. One on eBay - my '97 Volvo 850 5 speed wagon from the father son, and the other on Craigslist the '86 Honda VFR700F Interceptor I just bought on Christmas eve.

Both parties were licensed Florida dealers and actually handled the title transfer for me prior to me picking the vehicles up....something I think they are required to do. But to your point - absolutely do your due diligence as the prospective buyer. Not just because it's a "dealer" though but as you'd normally do whomever the seller is.

My work is now done......good luck!

[Scott Douglas]

Do you know what the color combo on the Accord is?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Do you know what the color combo on the Accord is?

Red and I think it was white or beige inside? Not entire sure about the interior. I just looked at it for about 1 second

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

A Mazda 3 is probably the best choice for a reliable appliance that isn't coveted by thieves.

Maybe a Subaru wagon, one of the boring models.

My sister (lives in the Valley) has an Outback she's looking to get rid of. It's now a third car for her. Don't recall the exact year--maybe around 2015? About 79K miles on it. I drove it this past week. Could use a brake job (rotors, pads, fluid) in the near future, but it seems otherwise solid.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Baz

I'm a wagon man myself so can relate. I only posted that sedan because it was the best example that fit Jeff's criteria I could find in my local CL.

And I didn't see Volvo mentioned in the thread as an option. And thought it certainly should have been.

As far as the seller being a "dealer" - don't forget that doesn't equate to "dealership".
I have made two purchases from "dealers" who are nothing more than 1 or 2 person operations. One was a father and son and more recently a husband and wife.

BOTH of those transactions were fantastic. One on eBay - my '97 Volvo 850 5 speed wagon from the father son, and the other on Craigslist the '86 Honda VFR700F Interceptor I just bought on Christmas eve.

Both parties were licensed Florida dealers and actually handled the title transfer for me prior to me picking the vehicles up....something I think they are required to do. But to your point - absolutely do your due diligence as the prospective buyer. Not just because it's a "dealer" though but as you'd normally do whomever the seller is.

My work is now done......good luck!

That was actually me for a few years in the 2012-2018-ish timeframe. I had a dealer’s license and a small shop, usually had 4-6 cars in “inventory” at any point in time. All enthusiast stuff like Porsche, BMW, Mercedes. I would drive and enjoy them for a few months, fix everything, get them up to date on maintenance, and sell them. I also did flat rate car locating for late model normal stuff through the auctions. It was a fun little side gig, I’ll probably revisit doing it again someday in retirement. I also bought a Mercedes GLK350 for my daughter from the same sort of person, he was a Ferrari mechanic in Charlotte and operated a small dealership with his wife for extra money. Great guy and an easy transaction.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by look 171

Red and I think it was white or beige inside? Not entire sure about the interior. I just looked at it for about 1 second

Thanks, I was going to say I might be interested in it, but life's too short for me to put up with owning a red car.

[edgemar]

Cayman or 996 Turbo?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Noah930

My sister (lives in the Valley) has an Outback she's looking to get rid of. It's now a third car for her. Don't recall the exact year--maybe around 2015? About 79K miles on it. I drove it this past week. Could use a brake job (rotors, pads, fluid) in the near future, but it seems otherwise solid.

That's the car. Go get it.