Is it even possible to get your child their first vehicle for a few thousand dollars?

[testdepth]

I have a nice 4wd suburban on here for $3000

My wife has an 2004 Yukon XL that's paid for and we thought about giving her that but I think it's just too big a bus for my daughter. Thanks for the offer though.

 

[testdepth]

Notice that a bunch of these Buicks had problems with the power windows. Wife has a gal-pal who has a Buick and she has replaced the motors about 5 times. I told her husband to see if he could by the motors by the dozen.

After that many motors I think I would have gone back to the old roll up style.

 

[testdepth]

Won't be buying any of these 21 deadly to driver vehicles! Basically rule out Nissan across the board.
http://clark.com/cars/these-are-the-21-deadliest-cars-in-america/

Hyundai Accent sedan
Kia Rio sedan
Scion tC
Chevrolet Spark
Nissan Versa
Ford Fiesta sedan
Kia Soul
Dodge Challenger
Nissan Titan Crew Cab short bed 4WD
Nissan Sentra
Ford Focus sedan
Chrysler 200
Hyundai Genesis coupe
Ford Fiesta
Hyundai Accent
Mitsubishi Lancer 2WD
Volkswagen Golf
Chevrolet Impala
Dodge Avenger 2WD
Ford Mustang convertible
Nissan Maxima

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

Because I prefer older cars I tend to stick with brands and models that I am more familiar with the common issues. I know way more about the Honda Odyssey than I ever wanted to know. I'm good with GMT400 GM trucks as well.

One car I've found to be very reliable is the 90s to early 2000s Mazda Protege, especially the manual transmission models.

The Protege and the same year Escort shared engine transmissions and lots of other parts. Pre 97 Escorts are pretty damn good cars. I've had 3 or 4 of them. But avoid 97 and later. That includes Escort and Focus models that have the 2.0 liter engine that reads Split Port on the valve cover.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Won't be buying any of these 21 deadly to driver vehicles! Basically rule out Nissan across the board.
http://clark.com/cars/these-are-the-21-deadliest-cars-in-america/

Hyundai Accent sedan
Kia Rio sedan
Scion tC
Chevrolet Spark
Nissan Versa
Ford Fiesta sedan
Kia Soul
Dodge Challenger
Nissan Titan Crew Cab short bed 4WD
Nissan Sentra
Ford Focus sedan
Chrysler 200
Hyundai Genesis coupe
Ford Fiesta
Hyundai Accent
Mitsubishi Lancer 2WD
Volkswagen Golf
Chevrolet Impala
Dodge Avenger 2WD
Ford Mustang convertible
Nissan Maxima

Must vary significantly by model year. Some of those are 5 star rated today.

 

[Kyzrsoze]

The Protege and the same year Escort shared engine transmissions and lots of other parts. Pre 97 Escorts are pretty damn good cars. I've had 3 or 4 of them. But avoid 97 and later. That includes Escort and Focus models that have the 2.0 liter engine that reads Split Port on the valve cover.

True, and good call. A few years of the Kia Sephia were also rebodied Proteges.

 

[Deleted member 39693]

http://www.bookoo.com/

little better then CL
between age 16-19 I bought my son 7 cars/trucks
he was rough on everything he touched,

I do still have his 2004 dodge truck 2wd 4.7 liter 202k miles
he purchased a new car and this truck "hangs out" in the driveway
ac and all works, comes pre dented! and abused!

 

[MRM]

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/6181113946.html
Just over budget Have him meet you at the shop to see everything it needs and what it needs right now.
Could be a nice ride.

Well I see the rebuilt title...could be an error or ask.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

True, and good call. A few years of the Kia Sephia were also rebodied Proteges.

I didn't know that about the Spehia. Makes sense though. The first Kia built car in the U.S. was the Festiva. Sold as the Kia Pride and Mazda 121 in other countries. The little Miata ripoff Mercury Capri was a rebodied Mazda 323. Only other difference was some Capri models had a turbo. Those engine/tranny combos along with the same ones in the short lived Ford Aspire will bolt right into a Festiva instantly give you a decent power boost. I assume someone here wound up with @NWSharpshooter old camo Festiva with the Aspire engine/tranny and suspension swap already done. That was a good beater at a really good deal.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

http://www.bookoo.com/

little better then CL
between age 16-19 I bought my son 7 cars/trucks
he was rough on everything he touched,

I do still have his 2004 dodge truck 2wd 4.7 liter 202k miles
he purchased a new car and this truck "hangs out" in the driveway
ac and all works, comes pre dented! and abused!View attachment 1218706

I love a regular cab truck. Don't know why. Other trucks just don't look right. Plus if you have an extended cab you almost always wind up with a bunch of trash or general accumulated bull**** behind you.