I think I'm a pretty good dude! :)
Here's the deal. A few years ago, I was commissioned to find a super cheap, safe and reliable car for one of the kids a few years ago. I scoured the net, drove far and wide and found the car. I went through the car and made sure it was 100% safe and reliable and ready to go. Total outlay was $1700 or thereabouts (of course, no charge at all for my countless hours of labor). The kid (kid#1) it was intended for decided he did not want to get a drivers license so the car sat. Kid #1 however, did hold a job and would walk or ride his bike to get there.
Enter kid #2. He wanted a license and made an effort to get the license. He would not make an effort to get a job. Kid #1 helped Kid #2 get a job and kid #2 was subsequently fired for not showing up (because his plans were more important than the work schedule). Kid #2 has basically sat around waiting for something to fall into his lap. He calls elderly relatives and asks for "work" when he needs money... So, he'll go over to the house and mow the lawn for 20 minutes and ask for $50! Lately, he's gotten a GF and wants to spend time with her. (That's cool with me, I was 18 once)... But, he spends every dime that hits his hand. Absolutely zero savings.
Back to the car. There's a car sitting with no driver. Relatives decide to give it to Kid#2 as a gift. He doesn't like the car because it's not cool. But he takes it anyway because it's wheels. He proceeds to beat the car to death. Refusing to buy new tires and driving on the donuts instead.... All the mirrors on the car have been knocked off (inside and out), paintjob has been rattlecanned, etc...
I warned the relatives that this was his master plan. Beat the car to death and then come whining about needing something new.
So, to the people who think I'm being Jerky, it's not the intent. I just see where this is going and I'm not keen on his demanding anything when it is obvious that he feels entitled to demand and receive. I'm all for helping him find something but I don't think it should be on the dime of other relatives. I want him to understand that this hardship that had befallen him has been of his own doing and that one always needs to have a backup plan - just in case shit happens.
BTW, he did shop CL as suggested. He send me an add for a tricked out Range Rover that was only $2300! (I asked him to consider why such a vehicle might be priced like that)... Then he shows me some muscle car. He stays in the price range but I try to explain that used cars are not being sold because they are perfect and that when you buy one, you need to be mindful of all the little odds and ends that need to be repaired to make the car good to go. I'm not going to put him into something that is unsafe so it needs to have good tires, brakes, etc... Additionally, he's an 18 year old male. Insurance will be a killer as will gas if the car is more than a 6 cylinder. Not to mention, I fear that giving him too much hp could be dangerous - he's already run the other car into a few things and caused damage.
I currently spend a few hours a day hunting for something that meets the parameters of cool-ish, decent mpg, safe, reliable, relatively cheap and easy to repair, etc... I've been on the phone with prospective sellers and I'm trying really hard to find the right car...
BTW, I am several states away so I have to find, buy, fix and deliver this car... Buying local to him is not an option as I do not have access to tools and shop like I do at my home. (My labor is what keeps costs in check)
I've even considered buying the car and ordering all the parts and then having him fly over so that I can try to teach him something about how it all works and maybe at least give him a little sweat equity in the car...
Do I still sound Jerky??