Searching for used Car Under 10K for son - Suggestions

[wadle5]

It's his first car, not super mechanically inclined but can find his way around an engine. Plus he's busy working. I'm only two hours away. Here's what seems to be coming up on the lists a lot:

• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Altima
• Nissan Sentra
• Acura RSX
• Honda Civic (Heard about T- Belt and tranny problems)
• Rav 4 - (ECM problems??)
• Nissan Versa
• Hyundai Elantra
• Suburu WRX but not here on the west coast (Like gold here - WAY overpriced)
• Audi A4
• BMW 3 Series
• Mitsubishi Galant

!

Corolla-safe, can't get too crazy in it
Altima-room for him and ALL of his buddies
Sentra-Like corolla. decent first car that can't get into trouble with
Rsx-2 door=more trouble and higher insurance labeled as "coupe"
Civic-dime a dozen for a reason
Rav 4-chick car?
Versa-About as complimentary as a suppository pill?
Elantra-one of the best warranties out there
Subaru-reliable, awd, resale is great. Just stay on top of basic maint and make sure you take care of the belts and gaskets and it will run forever
Audi-basic service bills will bleed you
3 series-don't let your kid be that kid who has a Bimmer and thinks they are above everyone else, also see Audi reason
Galant-meh


There is a lot you can do with 10k. I would just focus on something practical, reasonable, maybe easy to work on and reliable. Cool points are a bonus, but no required.

 

[A.Wilson013]

I had friends with Mazda 3s and 6s. It could very well have been because of how they drove them, but it seemed like they were always having issues with them. I wouldn't own one.

Anyone can afford to purchase a used Audi or Bimmer. Not many can afford to own one. I've had both and regretted both.

I'd highly recommend a Highlander. My parents had an '05 they bought new and drove for 100k miles with nothing but recommended maintenance. It was a very nice little vehicle.

My second choice would be WRX, but I would profile the hell out of the seller and would not buy from anyone under the age of 40. I nearly bought a Legacy GT back in 2007. I still think those are excellent looking cars. Has a little more of a professional/adult appearance when compared to a WRX, I think.


My 86 pickup is on Craigslist right now if he wants it =p RWD but it has pretty new tires and three big ol' sand bags in the bed. Traction for daysss!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5662956093.html

Lol!

 

[Swampmonger]

I've owned a Civic and an Accord. Both bought used for <$10k. Both driven 200k+ miles with nothing but routine maintenance. Both given to family members who drove them another 100k+ miles. I don't own one now because they are pretty boring, but when you just need good dependable transportation boring is a good thing.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I had friends with Mazda 3s and 6s. It could very well have been because of how they drove them, but it seemed like they were always having issues with them. I wouldn't own one.

Anyone can afford to purchase a used Audi or Bimmer. Not many can afford to own one. I've had both and regretted both.

I'd highly recommend a Highlander. My parents had an '05 they bought new and drove for 100k miles with nothing but recommended maintenance. It was a very nice little vehicle.

My second choice would be WRX, but I would profile the hell out of the seller and would not buy from anyone under the age of 40. I nearly bought a Legacy GT back in 2007. I still think those are excellent looking cars. Has a little more of a professional/adult appearance when compared to a WRX, I think.


My 86 pickup is on Craigslist right now if he wants it =p RWD but it has pretty new tires and three big ol' sand bags in the bed. Traction for daysss!

"Low" Mileage & Fuel Efficient 1986 Toyota Pickup

Lol!

[MENTION=63487]A.Wilson013[/MENTION] Alex, he lives up in your neck of the woods in Phinney Ridge. I think a RWD is out of the question...hehe. There's definitely a lot of good options on this thread. Now it's just a matter of saving the searches and finding that little gem...low mileage, one owner, well maintained...we both have our shopping list and keep checking. He's doing the Seattle search and I'm doing the Portland to Bend search

 

[PWD4R]

It's his first car, not super mechanically inclined but can find his way around an engine. Plus he's busy working. I'm only two hours away. Here's what seems to be coming up on the lists a lot:

• Toyota Corolla - yes - can easily get a 2012 or below
• Nissan Altima - no
• Nissan Sentra - no
• Acura RSX - no
• Honda Civic (Heard about T- Belt and tranny problems) - for 10k you still get 2008-2010 easily. Maybe newer
• Rav 4 - (ECM problems??) - meh
• Nissan Versa - no. And it'll piss him off. One of the slowest here.
• Hyundai Elantra - yes only if it's 2011+
• Suburu WRX but not here on the west coast (Like gold here - WAY overpriced) - not a good first car and you won't find a decent one at $10k. Stick to the non-turbo
• Audi A4 - completely no
• BMW 3 Series - I would kill myself before buying a $10k BMW
• Mitsubishi Galant - no. Junk

EDIT: Suburu Impreza and Mazda 3 or Mazda 6

I've purposely left off the Fords and Chryslers - Can't own one in my family, my dad would roll over in his grave.

Also, purposely left off the soccer mom vans and other suv's (ford explorer etc...).

Need to have either FWD, AWD or 4wd. Lives in Seattle and loves to hit the mountains.

Any and all feedback is much appreciated!! Thanks!!

I gave you answers in what I quoted so don't discount those. Here's to add:

Mazda3 is a good car and the 6 also. Honestly I'd stay clear of a $10k turbo car. If you stick to the economy side you can probably imagine it wasn't floored on a daily basis.

Idk about the reliability of the mazda3 but I haven't seen them on top lists in general. The Corolla is definitely known to go 250k+ before any major work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ThorInc]

I have had great experiences with Toyota and Mitsubishi. Don't really thing you can go wrong with either but my experience with Mitsubishi (Lancer)was overseas and a few moons ago. Really depends on the lad as well.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Well he's flying down for the weekend. We're heading out to Brown's Camp with [MENTION=88597]MyHigh[/MENTION] and a few other local's on Saturday then we'll spend a LOT of time looking. Bad time to buy a car for under 10K. Stopped in McChord's in Vancouver last night and the guys said everyone is looking for a car for their son or daughter right now for under 10K. Completely forgot all about graduation a couple weeks ago. :doh: Econ 101 - Supply and demand.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Quick update - Decided on an 2003 Acura TL S - black/black 3.2V6. Has 168K, with a newly rebuilt transmission. Those are the weak spots on these cars. Car is in "good" shape and best of all we didn't even come close to what our budget was. $2600. I'm building my maintenance list now so I can get it all done this week. Timing belt and water pump is high on the list.

I appreciate all the inputs. I think he's going to enjoy this one.

 

[LittleCaesar]

No pics?

I have replace front and rear struts on one. Not too hard, but make sure the wishbone bolt isn't seized in there. My brother's friend had one with a manual, very fun car, until he ran it into a fence.

Other than general maintenance I think the only thing it needed was a new compressor, the clutch would not engage all the way.

Changing the ATF on it isn't very hard either.

Last of the well made Acuras minus the auto tranny.....

 

[Rock_Rat]

No pics?

I have replace front and rear struts on one. Not too hard, but make sure the wishbone bolt isn't seized in there. My brother's friend had one with a manual, very fun car, until he ran it into a fence.

Other than general maintenance I think the only thing it needed was a new compressor, the clutch would not engage all the way.

Changing the ATF on it isn't very hard either.

Last of the well made Acuras minus the auto tranny.....

I'll get some today after work. Looked at it along with many others yesterday and ended up signing the papers and all after 10pm. Grrrrr

EDIT: Pics tomorrow. He's out tonight. Go figure... (should've got em a 240 DL - mustard yellow...JK) Scheduled appt for a New TB/Water pump, tensioner etc. tomorrow.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I never did the TB/water pump on that engine but heard it isn't too bad. Getting the timing belt cover off is the biggest pain.

How many miles on the new tranny?

 

[amalik]

Quick update - Decided on an 2003 Acura TL S - black/black 3.2V6. Has 168K, with a newly rebuilt transmission. Those are the weak spots on these cars. Car is in "good" shape and best of all we didn't even come close to what our budget was. $2600. I'm building my maintenance list now so I can get it all done this week. Timing belt and water pump is high on the list.

I appreciate all the inputs. I think he's going to enjoy this one.

Only thing that worries me about cars no longer in production is getting parts. TL series ceased production in 2014.

But overall, people don't seem to have an issue & you see that ErictheCarguy channel on Youtube he buys old Vigor's and Acuras all the time; it might just be me and my OCD.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I never did the TB/water pump on that engine but heard it isn't too bad. Getting the timing belt cover off is the biggest pain.

How many miles on the new tranny?

38K Changed at 130K I'm having someone do the tbelt etc... I just don't have time. It's the same guy that did my first tbelt change on the T4R many years ago before I started to do my own. Only specializes in Japanese cars.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Here'a couple of pics. Not bad looking for a 2003. It has a few cosmetic blemishes that are easily taken care of. Engine tranny and suspension are always my main concern. The transmission should hold out for quite a while.

Postponed the T-Belt change for tomorrow.

 

[Chim]

Dang, 10k for a first car! Lucky kid!

I got a $1200 vw bus that I had to get a job at KFC to pay for myself. Now my child is about to drive and I won't even give him my 87 4Runner unless he pays for it.. kids are spoiled these days :wow2:

 

[Yukon4Runner]

Take Billy Joel's advice.

You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Dang, 10k for a first car! Lucky kid!

I got a $1200 vw bus that I had to get a job at KFC to pay for myself. Now my child is about to drive and I won't even give him my 87 4Runner unless he pays for it.. kids are spoiled these days :wow2:

Hey Chim, that was our high end budget. This was a joint effort ($$). Mom and Dad pay for half but when it's all said and done it's his! Picked it up for $2600 (we kicked in more than half) but he pays for the TB water pump etc. If I had the time, we would do it. Doing brakes and oil on my wife's car tonight. College grad still getting settled in.

BTW - I learned to drive in a glass coffin. Paid for by myself working at a full service gas station.

Take Billy Joel's advice.

You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers.

Oh yea, did my share of walking in my day. Some of you grew up in the day I did when if you wanted to play school sports you found your way there and back. I ran track.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Only thing that worries me about cars no longer in production is getting parts. TL series ceased production in 2014.

But overall, people don't seem to have an issue & you see that ErictheCarguy channel on Youtube he buys old Vigor's and Acuras all the time; it might just be me and my OCD.

Well, for his sake I hope it gives him a few good years and we can stay away from parts as much as possible. Time will tell.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Looks great. Have fun with it. My friend's mother had a 99 that she got 340xxx miles out of.

Honda usually does a 20+ years production on parts so you should be fine. The replacement for the TL line isn't anywhere as good as the TL was.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Looks great. Have fun with it. My friend's mother had a 99 that she got 340xxx miles out of.

Honda usually does a 20+ years production on parts so you should be fine. The replacement for the TL line isn't anywhere as good as the TL was.

Thanks! I think we did OK. Got a little cushion in there.