Geo Prizm purchase advice

Looking at buying on for my son's first car, it will be older and need work, thus we work together and he learns about the car and maintenance / repair.

I'm thinking '90 thru '96 timeframe. Should I go with manual or automatic tranny ? Any engine better than any other ? What specific problems / issues should I look for and avoid ?

The Prizm is a great first car. It's basically a Toyota Corolla so it's very reliable, yet much less expensive (in my opinion Corollas are very overpriced).

All the engines that it was offered with are equally reliable, however, I recommend trying to find an LSi or GSi as they came with a more powerful engine as I feel the base engine is somewhat unsafe on modern highways because the car is too slow (especially with the A/C on).

Auto/Manual is up to you, but from my experience the automatic base model is virtually undrivable with the A/C on.

I like mine. 1995 base model.
Not the fastest car I've ever owned by a longshot. It goes 55-60mph which is all I need, afterall this is basic transportation. The radio wiring was weirdly colored. Most parts are inexpensive and can be done at home with the exception of major repairs which I have never had to do. I was surprised at how simple this car is in most aspects.
Fairly comfortable, A/C is really cold, heat is really hot.

Have to agree. Great little car. 1994 Lsi. 256,000 miles on it. Still be driving it if I hadn't hit a deer with it.
Will be purchasing another one.