My son needs a (first) car
 

He's been sharing for a while, and it's now time for him to get his own.

Somewhere in the $3k - $4k range. It's his money so he's a bit limited.

We've been on Craigslist daily for about a month and anything worth a look is usually gone by time we answer the ad, so I am putting this out here on the forum hoping for a personal referral or someone selling something decent.

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

My grand kids are all driving Toyotas pretty basic .It would be great to find a manual transmission car

You're right about the manny tranny, vett boy -although he wants an auto- and about the Toyota.
Just getting something with fewer than a million miles (at the price he can afford) isn't so easy a task. Thanks.

I have a 2002 Nissan Altima if you are interested. It's a 5 speed, Sun Roof, power windows, cold a/c. Has the usual dings and scratches but it's pretty clean, tan cloth interior, 152000 miles. Radio just quit working but it gets 24 mpg city. Has the 2.5 four banger. New clutch, brakes and both catalytic converters, tires have about 10K miles on them. Books out with NADA at $3175.00 clean retail, I'd like to get $2800.00 for it. I really have too many cars but if it doesn't sell I'll just keep driving it. It is my son's car(in my name)but he's in the Air Force in S. Korea until next December and then he goes to Italy for two years, maybe more. I started him out with a manual transmission and he liked it. I liked it because I knew he couldn't text and drive it! If you're interested.

Actually I read somewhere that driving a stickshift these days is a pretty good security precaution, because many amateur carjackers can't drive a manual transmission. Not that I think cars on the lower end of desirability for car thieves are at risk, mind you. But in some cases, any car might be desirable for a thief who doesn't have one right at the moment.

My first car was a hand-me-down 1961 Pontiac Bonneville. Automatic, however. Had a 389 cid engine in it, if I remember correctly, so it was pretty sporty for a young lass like me at the time. I learned how to drive a stick shift using a friend of mine's 55 (or was it a 57?) Chevy, with the stick on the column. I do have to admit that it was a challenge.

My first vehicle was my Dad's 64 Dodge truck. It was a hot rod of sorts.....the original owner had blown up the slant six. His brother in law worked maintenance for the Florida Highway Patrol and acquired a 383 magnum out of a wrecked patrol car. still had the original three on the tree but with that 383 it was a hoot to drive!

Thanks, 85vett. That sounds like a car for him, it's just that he wants an auto.
Maybe after a while when he sees what's out there he may broaden his outlook.

Finally landed one ...

Spent a tad more than we originally planned, but got a nice '05 Honda Accord Ex-L with a 3.0 V6, 115k miles. Super nice shape: auto, leather, fully optioned with everything except nav. I like that it has side-curtain AND side-seat air bags, anti-lock brakes and traction control.

This should get him to/from work and college. Thanks for keeping an eye out.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...psfne46hfr.jpg

Glad you were able to find something decent. :ok_01:

Looks good