So, my son needs a car...

"Deal Killer - Powered by Focus" (dealkiller-ii)
06/11/2020 at 22:22 • Filed to: None

On a whim, I pulled into a local Honda dealership with my 17 year old son, and this is sitting in their lot. Now, I looked at this car for maybe 5 minutes, and it’s pretty filthy. The exterior needs a thoroughly wash, polish and wax. The interior smelled pretty bad, but just in the, “ I’ve never cleaned my car, ever”, sort of way. The dealer is asking $1,995, which is not unreasonable for a car with 115K miles on it. I’d offer $1,500 and start from there. I didn’t see any bad rust on the body panels, but didn’t look under the car, yet. It is a fairly well optioned little car, power windows, locks & mirrors, with alloy wheels and sunroof. Hell, I might drive it, and my son can have my 10 year newer Focus. I may go over tomorrow after work and take another look. My wife gave a cautious “maybe”.

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DISCUSSION (28)

ranwhenparked > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 22:34

Those headlights need serious decl ou ding, but there’s really nothing cosmetic that doesn’t look like it wouldn’t clean up with some elbow grease.

sony1492 > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 22:36

Maybe s omething safer

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 22:40

You could find a car in the same class ten years newer for that price. That Nissan would be $800 if it weren’t at a dealer.

facw > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 22:47

Feels fairish for a runner these days. I’m not sure a 25 year old car is really the best choice from a safety perspective.

Chariotoflove > sony1492
06/11/2020 at 22:49

That’s probably the biggest argument for something newer for a first car. Giving the kid the Focus might save his life.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 22:52

Go for something more tankish with airbags than t incan

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chariotoflove
06/11/2020 at 22:52

This needs all the stars. Kids first car is t time to play hotwheels.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 22:53

Besides the obvious safety issues, it's a Nissan old enough to be imported but with none of the cool factor. You're also late to Teal Tuesday. Not for nearly 2 grand. Maybe for half that, since the dealer probably have $300 for it on a trade in and didn't bother to give it a proper clean. Maybe if you negotiated a proper detail and some other work on it.

facw > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/11/2020 at 22:54

I’m not convinced it would be that much cheaper private party. I do agree that you could find a much newer car for the same price. Prices get pretty compressed for cars in that age range, where “it’s currently running” counts for a whole lot.

Chariotoflove > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2020 at 22:56

Well said. Even if the kid is the most responsible and cautious ever though , inexperience can still get you in the world of unpredictable drivers. I want a couple more airbags between my kid and the scum of the highway.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > sony1492
06/11/2020 at 23:03

I agree too. I don’t even want my dog riding in stuff older than the early 2000s. Safety has come leaps and bounds

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/11/2020 at 23:07

Get him something like this. About as good from a safety perspective as you can get for that kind of money.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/marietta-2004-vw-jetta-sports-wagon/7138260693.html

Kinja'd!!!

Or maybe throw Rallydarkstrike a bone.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/d/atlanta-2009-hyundai-accent-2200-obo/7138744407.html

Kinja'd!!!

I believe you mentioned rust was a factor, but surely there are some slightly newer options.

fhrblig > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 23:21

My mom had a base Sentra 4-door from that generation and loved it, but that was over 20 years ago. It is pretty low miles though. I’d offer $800 and see what happens.

Conversely, you could go the route my parents went. In ‘92 they got me a nine year old Chevy Ce lebrity V6. I’m sure you could find a cheap ‘11 Impala. It’d have airbags, it’s big, safe, unexciting, and will run like shit but never leave him stranded. Plus it’ll be helpful to have something that size if he goes on to college. I gave it to my sister while she was in college and she used it to move a few times. We both loved that car and it lasted for 6 years. Never let us down.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 23:28

Miata.

Lots of fun. N o HP. N o back seat.

CompactLuxuryFan > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 23:33

If it had a manual, maybe. It does seem expensive to me as well. Why is it listed without even being washed? I would really only buy private party in this range.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 23:41

Cool, but not DD for a teen material. I also wouldn’t DD if yourself, seeing ad you have a son to take care of.

The second I have a kid I’m going to stop driving shitters. But until then...

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/11/2020 at 23:43

Mk4s are pretty reliable and safe enough. The 1.8t is solid. With a stick, temptation may be strong to build it. You can get it to 250 whp with just injectors, bigger turbo, and a tune. Under a grand.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/11/2020 at 23:45

Those wagons were the type of car you could keep forever. Someone will be very happy with it. The beige isn’t the coolest color but the number of pedals makes up for it.

zipfuel > Chariotoflove
06/11/2020 at 23:46

Risk of teen pregnancy goes waaay down with this one though...

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/11/2020 at 23:51

Beige plus wagon plus way too much power equals sleeper.

thatsmr > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/11/2020 at 23:57

With the herd here. Have a 17 year old aspie kiddo who is smarter than probably most of us (advanced music theory, self taught japanese) and a 15 year old just not interested much in driving (but a great spotter of cool older cars) I kept my hail totalled 06 Azera for whenever they are ready. If i didnt have that would totally go aughts v6 Buick/Olds/Pontiac for more safety with dependable powertrain. 2k would also buy an early aughts Japanese or Korean high high miles but way safer than that 95 nissan. Two grand buys a lot of safe dependable car if you are patient

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/12/2020 at 00:06

For $2k Ill sell you a 1996 Volvo 850 GLT. Just sayin'

Thisismydisplayname > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/12/2020 at 00:43

I didn’t realize you’re in the Toledo area. Grew up down there. Is the Thayer dealer still open in BG? They used to have decent beater/first cars down there.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/12/2020 at 05:43

Chrysler K-car

Grindintosecond > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
06/12/2020 at 08:55

After 2008...I think.... side impact door standards were improved. So something around 2009 and up will be where it's at for the boy.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove
06/12/2020 at 12:00

If only more kids had Focus while driving.

Chariotoflove > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/12/2020 at 12:38

True in both senses of the word!

Chariotoflove > zipfuel
06/12/2020 at 12:42

Ha! True. Although, aren't girls suckers for a sweet spoiler like that?