OK, Its time to ask for help...Looking for a car for my Son

[M.D. Holloway]

He saved his money and bought a Z71 4x4 - had too many problems so we sold it. Now we need a car for him. Keep in mind, my Wife doesn't drive so he will need to taxi her as well as his little Sis to soccer, piano and what not. He will also be using it to drive to school and shooting practice which is an hour away. He has $4500. Ideas?

[LakeCleElum]

Mazda.......I've had one of their cars and 4 of their pickups.......As good as Honda or Toyota w/o the inflated prices.......

[rammstein]

Not a bad idea- if you can find a clean Mazda 3 those are nice vehicles imo.

[Bill Douglas]

Just my usual advice, a Corolla.

[slodave]

Can't you just get some sort of attachment/cart for his tractor/mower??

[tabs]

Turbo Carrera...he will get them there lightening fast...

[Nostril Cheese]

Volvo 240

[rusnak]

Something that's cheap and easy to repair.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Just my usual advice, a Corolla.

Or an E30 BMW. Just do timing belt changes ever 50k and it'll run, and run, and run.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Or an E30 BMW. Just do timing belt changes ever 50k and it'll run, and run, and run.

A nice E30 will be well over $4500 these days. Prices are going way up. Even for the 4 door cars.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

A nice E30 will be well over $4500 these days. Prices are going way up. Even for the 4 door cars.

Yeah, I don't understand the rise in E30 prices. I see some here and think people want how much for that heap? I think if he's patient, he can find a pretty decent one for $4500.

[sc_rufctr]

How much Volvo would $4,500 buy in the US?

Honestly... If you can put him in a "tank".

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

How much Volvo would $4,500 buy in the US?

Honestly... If you can put him in a "tank".

A nice 240? Two. Possibly three.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Yeah, I don't understand the rise in E30 prices. I see some here and think people want how much for that heap? I think if he's patient, he can find a pretty decent one for $4500.

Most E30s have been clapped out by teens trying to build a ghetto racer. Nice, unmolested ones are getting harder and harder to find.

[ckelly78z]

Say what you want about the styling of the Toyota Camry/Corolla, but absolute bulletproof transportation. Maybe if he has to taxi Mom and sis around, you could match his funds and get something really nice ?

[onewhippedpuppy]

In that price range it's really hard to hone in on one specific car, because 90% of them will be junk. I would recommend just searching the local Craigslist sites with a max of $5000 and see what you find. Condition is the most important thing with a cheap car, you don't want to buy someone else's problem. I would recommend looking for some variety of Japanese sedan. The Ford Focus 4-door hatchback is also decent to drive and pretty roomy, they tend to be cheap.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

How much Volvo would $4,500 buy in the US?

Honestly... If you can put him in a "tank".

Quite a lot actually. I saw a twin of our 960 for sale with less miles for $1,500. If the wife wasn't emotionally attached to the one we already have...

[Chocaholic]

We bought our son a 99 Jeep Cherokee 2wd with the 4.0L 6. He's been driving it for three years with nothing but oil changes and an A/C repair. Now has 180k on the clock, uses no oil and will be passed down to his younger brother next year. We paid $3k.

Plenty of room, decent gas mileage, simple to repair if it's ever needed and reliable as a brick. And, his friends think he has the coolest car on the road.

My thoughts.

[diverdan]

Chevy trucks nickel and dime you to death, parts are cheap, easy diy. I like old Alfas bought right. EZ diy. Lots of spiders under $2k. Saabs bought right are a bargain. Just know what you are doing and diy. One could get a decent 944 or 924 S for under $2k but would take some looking. 914s not too rotted out come often in the same price range. 90s Mercedes can be bought right and are pretty bulletproof and the 280c gives great highway mileage, a great car actually. There are nice old 300ces that can be bought right and are bullet proof. it is mainly about condition and bargaining on a car that needs something you can do yourself. The newer the car, the more complex and more expensive the parts. No thanks on my budget. 96 back Cherokees are easy to work on. He is not too far away from a Boxster that could be serviceable for that money. Cars often have their Achilles which can crush their marketability and if you know what to look for and or how to fix it, you can get a sweet ride for peanuts. Keeping the car out of the shop and away from the gas station can keep life from becoming bankrupt.

[stomachmonkey]

Well you do know someone with a clean Mazda3 for sale who would do a friend deal but $4,500 is a bit short.

Might could do the Tahoe for closer to that.