Should I trust craigslist for my very first car?

So I'm looking for my first car! I'm looking on Craigslist, and my price range is sadly under $3000… I'm looking at Honda accords or Toyota camrys. All have at least 150k miles… Should I trust those cars with over 150k miles? I won't buy it until o get drive it and hopefully get all of the mechanical history of the car. Any advice?

I look at craigslist everyday since I'm 17, love cars, and want something other than my little subaru forester. Craigslist is a great site because you don't have to mess around with used cars salesman and dealerships. I did that and got a messed up car but not as bad as some people that buy them from there get. As for your car search, honda accords and especially honda civics are the way to go. Yes, some stuff will go wrong with them but it is very very very cheap to fix, compared to a toyota land cruiser, or something with more expensive parts. The civics last forever, and if you can find one with around 150k for under $3000 that looks like its in pretty decent condition, I'd buy it. Just make sure you check in for when the timing belt/water pump were replaced. Hope this helped!

Craigslist doesn't sell cars and three time felons can list cars for sale.

Its simply advertising. It doesn't speak for or against the quality of the car.

Craigslist is just a way to advertise, like the local newpaper, just not as local and cutting down fewer trees.
So do not beware the site, but beware the seller. Usually transcations are completed without a hitch,
sometimes it can be a real nightmare (If you watch the homicide show "The First 48" there's an episode titled "Bait and Switch" that really illustrates the dangers of meeting persons unknown for business)

First, ask for any information on the vehicle, such as the VIN and check vehicle history.

If you like what you see, meet some place you feel comfortable, and public. When the car's in front of you, check that the VIN provided matches the car, in more than one location. (check dash, driver side door, under hood, inside trunk, etc). If they're not what was provided to you, walk away. Don't risk buying a stolen car.

Have the car checked by someone who is qualified to determine it's road worthiness. Test drive the car, see if you'll be content with it.

If you follow through with the purchase, have a bill of sale (1 for each party) ready to signed by both, and have it notorized. You'll both have to provide identification to the notary. This step is unnecessary in most cases, but in the event that something happens you can prove who sold you the car.

Don't be afraid to purchase a car with 150k miles. My previous vehicle was a '95 Buick and when the engine broke (I left it running out side and a $50 radiatior fan quit, overheated the engine) it had over 350k miles on it. The engine was original, transmission was not. Sticker on it said it was remanufactured, but that trans lasted from 80k miles, when I bought it, to 350k when I junked it. My Girlfriend has a 2006 Saab with 260k miles, original engine and trans. Her most expensive repair to date was a lost key, $300 to replace.

By the way, I've never owned a Toyota or Honda, but having repaired many of these over the years, I would suggest the Toyota over the Honda, especially in cars after the year 2002 (2007 if V6). Toyota liked to equip their engines with steel timing chains while Honda's usually still put rubber timing belts in their engines. The steel will usually last the life of the vehicle, the rubber not so much. And if it breaks, a piston in the engine will try to compress a valve. Your wallet will really feel the sqeeze then.

Craigslist is nothing more than an online classified ad site. There's nothing to trust or distrust about it.

It's the SELLERS that you need to be careful about.

Old cars with high miles and low prices aren't reliable choices. If you know that going into it you won't be surprised when the car breaks down.

Be sure to read the scam warnings on the Craigslist web site. Never buy a car you can't go see and drive.