In the next year or two, I am probably going to be buying the car that I hope will last me for the next 10-15 years. We've discussed on here before that the Toyota Camry, if properly maintained (oil and filter change every 3K miles), will last basically forever.
Aside from the sheer joy of greater engagement with one's vehicle while driving, there is also a theft-proofing factor --- driving a straight is one of those life skills that people are basically not learning anymore. If you can't drive it, you can't steal it.
Am I correct in understanding that the last year the Toyota Camry came with manual transmission was 2019? Are there any other cars comparable to it (not necessarily Toyota brand)?
For some reason, Carmax doesn't have any Camry stick-shifts. I'd much prefer to buy my car through Carmax, in that there is a layer of accountability, as well as expertise in diagnosing just what kind of condition the car is in (and, presumably, repair of any mechanical faults), that you just don't have when you buy off a random car lot or even a dealership that sells "pre-owned" cars. I need to buy "used" if I can --- I am retired and my resources, while adequate, are modest, and they will always be modest.
When this happens, the beater I drive now will go to my son --- I have told him "it's this car or no car at all". You can't beat free.