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best car for my mom...

A

Accipiter22

Banned
Alright, so my mom is going to be browsing cars, she doesn't have a lot of money, so we're thinkin budget. We're also thinking great maintenance records, and safe...any suggestions? Foreign or domestic, makes no difference...
 
Cheap
Safe
Reliable

Pick two 🙂

Seriously though, given a budget, I'd look at a something like an Impala LS w/ the 3800 or the Pontiac Grand Prix GT. Again with the 3800 series engine. Maybe a Buick something or other...with the 3800 🙂

What *is* the budget?
 
Originally posted by: Accipiter22
Alright, so my mom is going to be browsing cars, she doesn't have a lot of money, so we're thinkin budget. We're also thinking great maintenance records, and safe...any suggestions? Foreign or domestic, makes no difference...
Click to expand...

Cavalier? Cheap, reliable transportation, good gas mileage.
 
Originally posted by: pr0
Civic, seriously, very reliable vehicle and easy to drive. Excellent on gas as well.
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But a used one is far from what I would call a "bargain vehicle".
 
Toyota Echo!

38mpg, 108hp engine but with a curb wieght of only ~2000lb takes it 0-60 in ~8.5s, and crash tests are all 4 or 5 star. Good luck finding one used though because Echo owners are not likely to part with their cars.

I got my Echo when it was only two years old for $6000 with 50K on it.
 
New:
Hyundai Elantra

Used:
Buick Regal
Chevy Impalla
Bucik Century
Buick LeSabre
Buick Park Avenue

3800 engine and 4spd Auto Hydramatic is BULLETPROOF til 150K + miles!



 
Originally posted by: EatSpam
Originally posted by: Accipiter22
Alright, so my mom is going to be browsing cars, she doesn't have a lot of money, so we're thinkin budget. We're also thinking great maintenance records, and safe...any suggestions? Foreign or domestic, makes no difference...
Click to expand...

Cavalier? Cheap, reliable transportation, good gas mileage.
Click to expand...

http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/95014.htm

OVERALL EVALUATION: POOR
OVERALL FRONTAL: POOR
STRUCTURE/SAFETY CAGE: POOR
RESTRAINTS/DUMMY KINEMATICS: POOR
 
new I4 accord, 06 is getting mild redesign.

24 city/34 highway

VP trim is 16K invoice, includes power windows, A/C and CD player.

Side airbags are standard, high crash safety

Powertrain is maintenance free for 100K miles, only filters and fluids. No spark plugs, no adjustments. Engine uses a timing chain so no scheduled belt replacement.

Decent acceleration, if you get a manual, it can run mid/high 15s in the 1/4. Automatic will do 16.0 (0-60 in mid to high 7s)

 
According to Consumerreports.com, Subarus are consistently very good in reliability. This goes across the product line, rather than some manufacturers that get lucky on one or two cars.
 
Look at the Ford Crown Vic and the Mercury Grand Marquis . Both have excellant mileage for their size,have 4.6 v8 motors with over head cams . Both have large cabins and larger trunks and both are very safe cars .
 
Originally posted by: Accipiter22
sorry, forgot the budget; probably under 10k, so it's most likely going to be a couple of years old,
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i was gonna ask for yr budget, thanks for posting that. off the top of my head:

  • stick to honda,toyota and nissan
  • buy from a dealer instead of a private seller (unless you know the seller very well). buying from a dealer usually works out $500 (give or take a few hundred) MORE than buying from a private buyer, but you'll get a much better car. plus, dealers clean out the car really well, srvice the car, put in new tyres, clean the interior and add the new car smell. now I know this doesn't really mean much, but it's the closest you can get to buying a new car. plus, your mom will love the new car smell
  • ofcourse some dealers will try to sell you crappy cars, but in general they seem to sell reliable used cars (just my opinion, many will disagree). another thing to remember while negotiating with a dealer is that they will charge a ~$500 fee, so ask if the price being offered to you includes that fee (if any)
  • if the price sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
 
another vote for nissan...we've owned two nissan sentras, a maxima, and four civics (all cars were purchased new except for one civic)...

the sentras blew the civics away in terms of power and handling..
 
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