Geo Prizm purchase advice

[prginocx]

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 ?

[drdisque]

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.

[GL~]

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.

[lenny37]

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.