Getting a cheap (under 10K) used car for DS - the 18 year old Camry that we were going to let him drive has started with the check engine lights and electrical issues, so that’s a bust. Want something small, inexpensive, with hatchback that can fit his tuba. Anyone with experience on Nissan Versas or Hyundai Accents? There are a lot of them around for under 10K that are 2014 and newer.
The Hyundai has a 10 year 100k mile warranty and will almost certainly be more reliable.
My DIL has a 2014 or 15 Accent and she is very happy with it. She has had it going on two years and has had nothing (knock on wood) outside of oil changes on it. She also bought it gently used.
The quality of Nissans has apparently gone down in the past few years.
http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/14/autos/nissan-customer-satisfaction-consumer-reports/index.html
You should definitely have him test drive them to see how he likes them. I get those two cars regularly as rentals and I have real issues getting a comfortable driving position especially since the steering wheel doesn’t telescope (I’m 6’1”). When I slide the seat back far enough for my legs to be comfortable, I can barely reach the wheel, so I end up driving closer with my legs all scrunched up and sitting really upright.
I would also consider Honda Fit. It’s one of the most reliable small cars.
I have a 2011 Nissan Versa with 49K on it. I’ve had no problems with it other than routine maintenance; battery and tires. It’s not the greatest in snow or over potholes as it’s pretty low to the ground, but it’s been extremely reliable.
Thanks, everyone! There are also a few Mitsubishi Mirages, but I’m a little worried about the engine not having enough power for interstate merging, etc. He’s about 5’10" so as long as he doesn’t have a huge growth spurt he should be OK with fitting - we went to the auto show last month when it came by and were able to sit in the different models (2018s but ought to be similar). I like the Honda Fits but not seeing any under 10K around here… don’t want to spend much more for a car that a teen will drive and ding up 
Have you considered the slightly larger hyundai elantra?
Our tuba playing DS drives a 2010 he bought certified in 2012. It’s been great. It was his first ‘real’ car he bought after college.
He was only minimally sad to trade his old hand me down 15 year old wagon that had seen him through 3 schools.
I’m a big Hyundai fan. Never had an Accent, but our '01 Elantra is still on the road and has survived 5 teenagers so far. We also have 2 Sonatas. (Traded in our '01 with over 235K miles for a '16.) Very reliable cars. I also would suggest the slightly bigger Elantra.
@musicmom - I wasn’t sure if the tuba would fit through the back door (I knew it could fit IN the seat, but getting there another question lol). Sounds like your son is able to get it in there? That’s why I was focusing on hatchbacks… I do like the Elantra and slightly larger is good. Will have to see if there are any around under 10K…
Thanks for all the advice, anyone else with experience/ideas let me know 
Bring the tuba to test fit before buying.
(The same goes for other similar situations, like infant seats.)
@parent2one - agree, have son bring his horn(s) to test fit before buying.
DS has been able to load both his smaller F tuba and larger C tuba in his elantra easily. One can go thru back doors onto seat, the other in the trunk, surprisingly.
We had suggested a hatchback for obvious reasons but after years of hand me down minivans and station wagons, he really just wanted a CAR!
Our mechanic recommended the Hyundai over the Nissan when were looking for a reliable used car. He said the Hyundai is easy and relatively inexpensive to fix when issues do arise. My D loves her 2011 Elantra, and were able to find one with under 40,000 miles!
Just a heads up though, the remainder of the warranty did not transfer over for us. The 10 year 100,000 mile warranty is just for the first owner- it adjust for the second owner (can’t recall exact details). This was per Hyundai themselves. Although the car we bought was under the mileage, it was over the year allowed to transfer.
Good luck!
Thanks, @musicmom - I’ve got one Elantra on the list to test today if the cheaper Accent doesn’t work out!
@toomanykiddos - I appreciate that feedback! I just looked and the warranty drops by half, basically, for subsequent owners. Will still work for the cars I’ve got on list since they’re low mile used (and 2016s), but very good to know!
We knocked the Nissan off the potentials list. There are some super cheap Mirages we’ll look at, but I’m leaning Hyundai.
Big Hyundai fan here too. We’ve bought two new (Tiburon and Santa Fe) and both went over 250k miles. We currently have a 2007 (bought in 2013) that is about to turn 200k. You’ll get your money’s worth and then some. I don’t know about the safety of the smaller ones, but I walked away from a high-speed crash with a drunk driver in the first Santa Fe so I love that about them too.
Update - we took the tuba case and test drove a few, and ended up buying a used Hyundai Accent hatchback. Thanks for all the advice, it definitely helped!!
Good to hear!
I’m sure your tuba man will enjoy his new ride!