Searching for used Car Under 10K for son - Suggestions

[Rock_Rat]

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

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!!

 

[RedSled]

So he does not want a T4R?

 

[No Name]

"...first car,...left off suv's....AWD...hit the mountains.

No kids by choice so I don't know s*** but...did talk through this with a close friend who was in your shoes last year (first car, kid going local to CU Boulder...make it simple but what do I buy?). Went with an Outback, found a well-maintained pre-owned unit.

My 1st was 48' Willy's CJ2A...still think that's a great call...or a 77' or 78' FJ.

I don't what's cool these days tho...I'm over-the-hill thankfully.

 

[00Sebby]

I'd go with a Mazda 3 hatch over the Sentra, Versa and Corolla. They are more sporty, VERY dependable, and look better. I'd personally stay away from low-priced BMWs and Audis for first cars. At that price, you may get a good one or you may get something that will drive you all crazy until you get rid of it.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I'd go with a Mazda 3 hatch over the Sentra, Versa and Corolla. They are more sporty, VERY dependable, and look better. I'd personally stay away from low-priced BMWs and Audis for first cars. At that price, you may get a good one or you may get something that will drive you all crazy until you get rid of it.

Mazda 3 and Mazda 6's made the list but here on the west coast (Portland/Seattle area) they seem to run pretty high. The Suburu WRX and STI's also run high. Way overpriced.

No kids by choice so I don't know s*** but...did talk through this with a close friend who was in your shoes last year (first car, kid going local to CU Boulder...make it simple but what do I buy?). Went with an Outback, found a well-maintained pre-owned unit.

My 1st was 48' Willy's CJ2A...still think that's a great call...or a 77' or 78' FJ.

I don't what's cool these days tho...I'm over-the-hill thankfully.

Yea the Suburu Outback is the car of choice here in Portland and Seattle. Typical car runs around with the "Keep Portland Weird" sticker on it. They did make the list as well. There are always a ton of them at the mountain. That's high on the list if he's open to a wagon.

So he does not want a T4R?

Haha - He has mine anytime he needs it and one day it will be his. He's no dummy! He's letting dad do all the mods!

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd look at the first three, with the Altima's weak link being the CVT tranny in 2013+ years. My sis's best friend in SC has an 08 with close to 200k on the ODO. Zero out of the park costs, just normal wear and tear.

The Honda Civic is a little under powered in an auto, manual has a little zip. Plain car but will get you from A to B with little gas costs.

My aunt has an 08 Rav4 in Maryland with all the bells and whistles. Loves it. 4wd had gotten her through the snow many times.

If you want to see your son often for car work and to watch your wallet get thin, then opt for the BMW or Audi. Not a fun car to work on and parts costs will make you wish you were related to Bill Gates as to afford them. Most repairs on these two will make your knock sensor replacement look like a walk in the park.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I'd look at the first three, with the Altima's weak link being the CVT tranny in 2013+ years. My sis's best friend in SC has an 08 with close to 200k on the ODO. Zero out of the park costs, just normal wear and tear.

The Honda Civic is a little under powered in an auto, manual has a little zip. Plain car but will get you from A to B with little gas costs.

My aunt has an 08 Rav4 in Maryland with all the bells and whistles. Loves it. 4wd had gotten her through the snow many times.

If you want to see your son often for car work and to watch your wallet get thin, then opt for the BMW or Audi. Not a fun car to work on and parts costs will make you wish you were related to Bill Gates as to afford them. Most repairs on these two will make your knock sensor replacement look like a walk in the park.

Thanks for the memories about the knock sensors...grrrrr. OEM!! Anyway, the BMW and Audi's are OFF our list.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd also consider a 1st gen Highlander with either the 4cyl 2AZ-FE (made in Japan not the US which went in the Rav4, Camry and others with the wrong oil rings in them) or 3MZ-FE V6 which uses a timing belt, not chain. Both can be had in 4wd (it is really AWD). Here in NC and VA you can find an 2005 with less than 100k for $9000 to $10xxx.
Boring but no real big problems other than regular maintenance.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[sherryKangz]

Corolla and Mazda 3 are good options under 10K. I was wondering that Altima is in the list but Accord and Camry are not. You may also consider Accord and Camry.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I'd also consider a 1st gen Highlander with either the 4cyl 2AZ-FE (made in Japan not the US which went in the Rav4, Camry and others with the wrong oil rings in them) or 3MZ-FE V6 which uses a timing belt, not chain. Both can be had in 4wd (it is really AWD). Here in NC and VA you can find an 2005 with less than 100k for $9000 to $10xxx.
Boring but no real big problems other than regular maintenance.

Let us know what you decide.

I definitely will keep you posted. I have a 2002 Camry in the driveway right now that I'm getting ready to do an engine swap on. Typical 2az oil problem. It was using a quart a week. Finally crapped out on me. Low compression as well. Found a JDM 2az with 36K for ...ouch...$1500. My other option is to rebuild it. I've got connections where I can rebuild it pretty cheap. I'm leaning more to the JDM swap and just change out the intake and exhaust manifolds and call it good.

Corolla and Mazda 3 are good options under 10K. I was wondering that Altima is in the list but Accord and Camry are not. You may also consider Accord and Camry.

Accords did show up on a few lists as always but I think they're still #1 on the theft list. At least I think the LX's are. I don't think the DX's are. He drove our 02 Camry all during high school. My wife drives a 2010 XLE fully loaded. Great car. Looking for something a bit different this time around. Something more versatile for the mountains.

Also, I think when I did my search I had it filtered for under 5000 instead of 10K.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Run away screaming from a used European car. The most expensive European car is a cheap European car.

The Honda/Acura are good but are either modded or have inflated prices because of the fast n furious crowd.

Nissans with the early cvts have issues.

I'd go with the Mazda, a good car and even kind of fun to drive.

 

[Vwright14]

Only thing about subies is the oil leaks AND consumption....i don't care what anyone says they all do it. Most need head gasket jobs by 100k,add in the tb&wp....2500 buck service. Altimas have crap transmissions...like everyone else said i wouldn't touch anything German.

Sent while like doing stuff and what not.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I have to admit Rock Rat that I have never heard of anyone swapping out an engine in a Camry. It is a first for me. Good luck with it.

Just an example but has the 3.3l engine. Maybe a little soccer mom in it.....
https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/5649296073.html

 

[Jernik]

A friend has a Corolla. Good commuter car, dependable, low maintenance, economical. Good choice, IMO. He has 110K on his, and I know for a fact he has only changed oil (at those horrible places I'd never take a car to), and I think he had brake pads/rotors replaced. That's it. He's not mechanically inclined at all (and cheap to boot), so he hasn't had any other routine maintenance done. Pretty much just change the oil and new tires when he wears them out.

If he's in school, or just starting out, this would be hard to argue against, IMO - especially since he has access to your 4R for any weekend excursions. Dependable, low cost... save money now for something better when he gets where he wants to be.

 

[philsey]

A friend has a Corolla. Good commuter car, dependable, low maintenance, economical. Good choice, IMO. He has 110K on his, and I know for a fact he has only changed oil (at those horrible places I'd never take a car to), and I think he had brake pads/rotors replaced. That's it. He's not mechanically inclined at all (and cheap to boot), so he hasn't had any other routine maintenance done. Pretty much just change the oil and new tires when he wears them out.

If he's in school, or just starting out, this would be hard to argue against, IMO - especially since he has access to your 4R for any weekend excursions. Dependable, low cost... save money now for something better when he gets where he wants to be.

I'll ditto this. I bought my sis a 3 YO Corolla (ex-Enterprise) 4 years ago. Very reliable .... IF yer kid doesn't mind driving one.

 

[Millerad1651]

We just bought my wife a 2011 Scion xB. Tons of room, I'm 6'1'' and I had 6+ inches of head room. The rear seats fold down to make a ton of storage space, or he could sleep back there. FWD and have the same 4cy as the Camry (Toyota 2AZ-FE). They come in either 5sp manual or autos. Early 2008-09 models had the oil consumption, but they fixed that by 2010. They have really good reviews, and the safety ratings are high on them as well. Around 26-28 mpg is pretty good for the size of vehicle. And if anything goes wrong, they should be easy enough to fix. We picked up a 2011 with 75k for $9500.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Still didn't find anything yet. Actively looking. Found a Mazda 3 hatchback, black/black, low mileage, one owner, and made the call but car was sold within an hour. We were on our way with cash in hand but he said he had someone else coming over as well. He beat us to it.

Saved a 2009 Camry XLE fully loaded posting to go back to later...clicked on it only to see "This posting deleted by author." Don't you hate that?

On another note, I have my 2002 Camry up for sale and received the following text:

"This is Scott again for the craigslist sale. I will be unable to come look at it and pay cash as I just moved to out of town. Will you accept cashiers check for it?

I hate friggin scammers! Unfortunately, someone will fall prey to this guy.

I also got a call from a guy wanting to buy my floor mats! I said sure but they're the same price as the car!!

 

[Bigshankhank]

If you are willing to look at a Camry, why not go whole hog and look at an older Avalon? We got a 96 for our son when he was 17, and other than it being an old lady's car (which it had actually been) it was dead reliable, decent on gas, tons of room, good for travelling (we used it for a family road trip at one point when my Tacoma wouldn't have been suitable) and when my son crash-tested it into a tree he came away completely unscathed. Plus they are undervalued considering that they are kind of a forgotten middle child between a Toyota and a proper Lexus.

 

[volkinator]

Fiance and I just got her a 2010 corolla for <$10k with 40k miles on it. beautiful car that was super clean with clean title. There are tons of them in that generation around here at least. But the previous gen was still solid. My folks have a 2005 Camry with 240k on it, only things have been brakes, shocks, and a rear strut, besides oil changes. It's an Auto tranny, and my corolla is a manual "sport" Have no complaints and it actually holds a ton inside.

Subarus are great, but maintenance can be a pain. The flat 4's make getting to parts difficult

 

[AntleredRuin]

If he doesn't mind a bit of a 'girl' car, How about a 2nd Gen Rav4? Not quite 'soccer mom'.
Very zippy, even with the Fwd, and there is a 4wd option. Gets up to 30Hwy and very reliable.
My wife has 147k on hers and it's only needed a new alternator. Very easy to work on.
Spark plugs are dead center of the engine staring at you if you remove the air filter. Oil is easy to change as well. Can be done in 20 minutes easily. It's tall enough that you don't need to jack it up at all (provided he's not circus fat).
Can haul a LOT too, with the rear seats removed. I moved with my wife's before we bought the 4runner. Can hold whole couches if you don't mind tying the rear gate closed.
I think we spent $9200 on the '03 with 69k miles, but that was 5 years ago.

Edit:
Ah forgot about the ECM problems. I got a refurbed one on eBay for $125 w/ 1 year warranty that fixed the slipping from 1-2 at cold startup. Maybe 20 minutes to change out. Located next to the glove box.