Family members all kicked in some $$ to buy a car for a nephew who just graduated from college, and I'm the stuckee to find him a car. Best thing I've found so far is a 2002 Mirage DE coupe, 1.5l, manual, 116K miles. I haven't gotten out to see the car yet. From what I've read here and elsewhere, these cars are reliable and economical. It will be used as a commuter car if/when he gets a job, no plans to hot-rod anything

Is there anything in particular I should look out for when I look at the car? Pictures look very clean. Anything particularly susceptible to failing around this mileage, or being especially noteworthy if there's any deferred maintenance (I haven't found out the service history of the car yet). My nephew is mechanically challenged, so it's unlikely he will be able to do anything more complicated than putting gas in the car. Is it relatively easy to find decent mechanics to work on these?

KBB is around $4,500, but I think I can do a bit better than that. I'm in So Cal.

 

Well on that mileage you will have to check the front and rear brakes,Water pump,serpentine belt, bearings on the alternator if makes a sound every morning when you start the car (squeaky sound) tune up,tires, alignment, ball and tie joints,oil pan leak,power steering fluids, coolant exchange. You might spend another $1,000 to fix all of these if They are broken for that Mileage.

I bought my 1999 DE Coupe Mirage for $2,500 with 80,000 miles but what I mentioned above was to replace all of them. I ended up trading the car for a new 2008 Lancer

by the way the dealer traded my car for $1,500
I spent $1,500 to fix a lot of broken parts

Just check it out thoroughly