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Started By
Message
Car search for my son
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:23 pm
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:23 pm
I’m not sure if this is the best forum to ask, but cars/outdoors made sense.
My son is 15 and will be driving sooner than I am ready.
I was to get him an older car 70s-ish) that needs some TLC so he can learn how to work on cars, do some maintenance, and give him a sense of ownership/accomplishment. I also want to get a car with a manual transmission.
Aside from not doing major engine repair, I also do not want something that needs significant bodywork (rust).
Any suggestions on where to look online? I’ve been doing some searching, but I feel like there are better options than Facebook market.
Any help is appreciated.
My son is 15 and will be driving sooner than I am ready.
I was to get him an older car 70s-ish) that needs some TLC so he can learn how to work on cars, do some maintenance, and give him a sense of ownership/accomplishment. I also want to get a car with a manual transmission.
Aside from not doing major engine repair, I also do not want something that needs significant bodywork (rust).
Any suggestions on where to look online? I’ve been doing some searching, but I feel like there are better options than Facebook market.
Any help is appreciated.
26
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:27 pm to Seeker
70s is an old arse car, just me, id look into late 90s, early 2000s, can learn just as much and with closer to modern technology knowledge. Facebook Marketplace or other private selling websites would still be viable (and easier to find 90s/2000s car thats not an antique)
This post was edited on 1/5/26 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:31 pm to Seeker
~2000 Buick Lesabre.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:32 pm to Seeker
drop the 70's car idea if you want him to drive something reliable.
Find something from the mid-90s to mid-2000's.
Find something from the mid-90s to mid-2000's.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:34 pm to TheGeauxt9
quote:
70s is an old arse car, just me, id look into late 90s,
I car from 76 is 50 years old. That is going to be some serious maintenance. The only ones still around usually command higher $$$. Old mustang, camero, Bronco, Jeep, or f250. The only way I'd consider something that old for my own child would be a tank of an old truck.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:35 pm to Turnblad85
Hum interesting suggestion. I was under the impression that cars/engines were better before they started going the computer/chip route. Maybe I need to expand my search criteria?
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:35 pm to Seeker
It’s not 70’s, but my ins agent told me to get my son the oldest NON-4wd truck I was comfortable with when he turned 16. I ended up with a 2001 Dodge Dakota with 95,000 miles. Truck was 19 years old when I bought it for $6,500.
He drove it for a few years and we had PLENTY of minor repairs to do on it during that time. Nothing major, but just minor stuff. The most aggravating was a water pump. He learned a lot and I learned a lot. The only reason I sold it was because he chose a college 7 hours away and I can’t realistically fix random stuff that pops up that far away, and I didn’t want something to happen on the side of the road that far off.
He got a scholarship to college and we bought him a new truck the summer before he left.
A friend bought the Dakota for his son for $5,800 and he is still driving it. They are fairly easy to work on and parts are readily available.
He drove it for a few years and we had PLENTY of minor repairs to do on it during that time. Nothing major, but just minor stuff. The most aggravating was a water pump. He learned a lot and I learned a lot. The only reason I sold it was because he chose a college 7 hours away and I can’t realistically fix random stuff that pops up that far away, and I didn’t want something to happen on the side of the road that far off.
He got a scholarship to college and we bought him a new truck the summer before he left.
A friend bought the Dakota for his son for $5,800 and he is still driving it. They are fairly easy to work on and parts are readily available.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:35 pm to Seeker
quote:
so he can learn how to work on cars, do some maintenance, and give him a sense of ownership/accomplishment.
Late 90's Jeep Wrangler.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:37 pm to TopWaterTiger
And the safety for my own kid too, modern safety features > any car from the 70s. I agree, any tank of an old truck just maybe, but maintenance no matter what is gonna be through the arse
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:40 pm to Seeker
quote:
Hum interesting suggestion. I was under the impression that cars/engines were better before they started going the computer/chip route.
100,000 miles on those old cars was a lot and time to replace, every truck I've owned since 1995, I've driven until over 300,000 miles.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 4:46 pm to Seeker
~2000 Ford Ranger 5 speed with 3.0 v6 would be a winner if you can find one.
My dad gave me his out of college with about 120,000 miles. I traded it in at 243,000 miles. It's mechanically a relatively simple vehicle and easy to maintain / tune up. Gas mileage was great and it was very reliable. I miss that truck and wish I still had it to this day.
My dad gave me his out of college with about 120,000 miles. I traded it in at 243,000 miles. It's mechanically a relatively simple vehicle and easy to maintain / tune up. Gas mileage was great and it was very reliable. I miss that truck and wish I still had it to this day.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 6:19 pm to Seeker
quote:
under the impression that cars/engines were better before they started going the computer/chip route.
Fuel injection has been the best thing that has happened to cars since the wheel. Getting quality carburetor replacement parts can be a nightmare.
In a 20-30 y/o vehicle you'll have plenty of shite to fix and it will still be simple enough to diy 90% of the repairs. Problem will be is finding one that WASN'T owned by a poor that hacked up the wiring and replaced every part with some garbage from autozone. Getting hard to find the older cars that are still driven by a good owner.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 6:20 pm to Seeker
Drop the 70s idea. Get the newest Tacoma or 4Runner you can find. Forget working on a car all the time.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 6:31 pm to Seeker
I've got a 2001 Landcruiser I might let go for cheap. Needs little things done (hoses and such) right now but I don't drive it much. It's got 315k miles, major annual maintenance (timing belt, water pump, new power steering and rear brakes, calipers/rotors) done in the last 5k miles.
Much better and safer than a 70's vehicle.
Much better and safer than a 70's vehicle.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 6:54 pm to Seeker
70’s, just buy him a horse and buggy! hahaha
Posted on 1/5/26 at 7:07 pm to Seeker
4Runner, FJ Cruiser or Xterra with a manual transmission. Basic maintenance and they will drive a LONG time. All are easy to work on as well.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 7:31 pm to Seeker
Is this what he wants? What is your budget?
Just gave the boy a 2019 Honda that his mom drove since new. We paid it off early and it was our workhorse for 5 years. He won’t know the sacrifices we made.
Just gave the boy a 2019 Honda that his mom drove since new. We paid it off early and it was our workhorse for 5 years. He won’t know the sacrifices we made.
This post was edited on 1/5/26 at 7:42 pm
Posted on 1/5/26 at 7:32 pm to Seeker
Second a 00's 4runner.
Surprisingly easy and pleasant to work on.
Surprisingly easy and pleasant to work on.
Posted on 1/5/26 at 7:38 pm to Seeker
I have 2 teenage boys (now 16 and 18) and both got a ‘99 jeep wrangler TJ around 15 years old. Decent deals can be found on Facebook marketplace. They are fairly easy to work on with plenty of room inside and manual transmission is common.
As for safety, you just can’t get these older jeeps going too fast and they have decent roll cages so your son should be safe. Granted my son doesn’t take his on the interstate as the mere idea of those jeeps at 70mph is scary but I’ve driven them both a that speed safely.
We’ve all 3 learned a lot with these jeeps and my oldest even repainted parts of his jeep after he was in a wreck. Great skills all around!
I should probably add that I am looking to put the 18 year old in something newer and safer for college in 8 months but the jeep was a great first car/ high school car.
Good luck!
As for safety, you just can’t get these older jeeps going too fast and they have decent roll cages so your son should be safe. Granted my son doesn’t take his on the interstate as the mere idea of those jeeps at 70mph is scary but I’ve driven them both a that speed safely.
We’ve all 3 learned a lot with these jeeps and my oldest even repainted parts of his jeep after he was in a wreck. Great skills all around!
I should probably add that I am looking to put the 18 year old in something newer and safer for college in 8 months but the jeep was a great first car/ high school car.
Good luck!
This post was edited on 1/5/26 at 7:40 pm
Posted on 1/5/26 at 7:54 pm to Seeker
Early 2000's Z06
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