I should probably start by mentioning I’ve been walking three miles to work for the past year and a half. While I’m still fully capable of walking, it sucks, and I’m tired of feeling self-conscious about not having a car, so I’m more than willing to buy a clunker, or put in the work to gain a vehicle. (Cars are freaking expensive these days)

I have a friend who has a broken 2004 Honda Civic he’s willing to sell me. Here are the deets.

• It needs a new transmission.
• I said I’d buy it for $1000.
• The car was given to him by a friend, So it is not in his name. Ie, it’s not inspected or have the right plates.
• He heard somewhere that he can’t sell it until he gets it under his name, which he can’t do until it’s fixed, but he doesn’t want to pay the money to get it fixed so is just going to donate it to a charity instead for a tax write off.
• He’s given me 10 days to learn if I can buy it. Oh yeah, and we are Texans. (If region matters)

So transmission car work ≈ $2000

The questions I have for y’all is, what is the process I should follow to buy the car? Is a 2004 Honda Civic worth buying? Should I even bother trying to fix up the car?(I have minimal experience as a mechanic) And do you think this entire trade sounds like a good or bad plan?

Please let me know y’all’s thoughts, and thanks for any advice y’all might have!