Dad needs a car that isn't too expensive.

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
Hi all,

My dad only has an old Ford Ranger that is getting up there in years. Plus, it doesn't have air conditioning which kills him. So he's looking at getting a new car.

He doesn't make a ton of money so it can't be too expensive.

Price Range: Around $20k max.
Must Have: A/C, 4 Doors, Good Gas Mileage (he didn't specify exactly what this mean to him, only that one car he was looking at that was 18/28 was too low), New (he has a distrust of used car dealer due to some bad experiences in the past)
Would like: Good trunk space, roomy, not a totally anemic engine, satellite radio, good sound system
Not necessary: Moon roof (wouldn't use it), Navigation (fine with TomTom), Cruise Control (wouldn't use it)

I told him he should look at the focus. He did and he said it felt a little small. He's 6'1" and 240 lbs, so he's not a small guy.

He found a Kia Optima for $20,044 and was thinking about looking at that. I still have a prejudice against Kia but perhaps they're not so bad now?

Anyway, would like to hear any suggestions. Was thinking about telling him to go look at the Elantra as well. I think the Sonata is out of his price range.

Edit: Oops this was supposed to go in the garage. Can a mod please move it?
 
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xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
0
If he doesn't mind a small car, he could look at a compact: Fiesta, Rio, Sonic, Dart, etc. The new Kia Forte also looks sharp.
 

Vic Vega

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2010
4,535
3
0
I just had a 1.8 Cruz for two weeks (rental), LT trim. Honestly it's a fine car and build quality is good. It's just... slow. I mean, real slow (but so are the rest of the econoturds). The car needs an engine in the 180-200 HP range.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
I just had a 1.8 Cruz for two weeks (rental), LT trim. Honestly it's a fine car and build quality is good. It's just... slow. I mean, real slow (but so are the rest of the econoturds). The car needs an engine in the 180-200 HP range.

Pops won't care as long as it's not glacial... :cool:
 

lk2500

Member
Oct 12, 2011
167
2
81
You should be able to get a baseline Ford Focus, Honda Civic, or Subaru Impreza for that much or less. All nice cars. I prefer the Civic for visibility over the Focus. The Focus seems way too cramped, might be the way the windows are positioned. I also like the Impreza for the AWD. I think you can get a decent discount from Costco for the Impreza, or just be a good haggler. You should be able to take one home for less than 19K with taxes, or so I've heard.
 
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madoka

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2004
4,344
712
121
New Mazda 6

Great car

Well, the Altima should also be considered then. It's cheaper, gets slightly better gas mileage, NHTSA gave it a five star crash rating, and was rated an A by Edmunds (Mazda 6 was given a B).
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
57,981
8,219
126
Without knowing the details, I like the Kia Soul. It has an upright stance, is cheap, and gets decent mileage. I'd have to test drive it, and read some detailed reviews, but I like what I've seen from the road.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
64,206
12,522
136
Without knowing the details, I like the Kia Soul. It has an upright stance, is cheap, and gets decent mileage. I'd have to test drive it, and read some detailed reviews, but I like what I've seen from the road.

aad.gif


Maybe...if you're some kind of "hip-hop hamster," but not if you're "normal people."

OP, I don't know how the used car market is where you're at, but look at 1-2 year old cars with low mileage. Let someone else take that "new car depreciation" hit.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,053
571
126
You should be able to get into a midsize sedan from anyone at that price point. Loss leaders would be perfect for him since they typically don't have the features most people want. And they're a lot more roomy than the compacts people are suggesting. I have no inherent issues with the Optima. My parents have a Sonata and that's nice enough. Many of the midsize cars now come standard with sat radio so that makes it easy.

Could also look into a 2013 Malibu since the 2014 is refreshed with a new engine and some different sheetmetal. Maybe able to get a better deal?
 

OGOC

Senior member
Jun 14, 2013
312
0
76
Nissan Versa is bigger inside than it looks, and it's $12k brand-new with A/C and a manual trans.

Remember Kias and Hyundais have 10-year/100k warranties. They're nice cars the past 5 or so years.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
I know a 6'3" person who got a Kia Rio right out of college after he got his first job... Drives/drove the hell out of it. No A/C, no power windows. I would never sit in the pack seat given the 1-2" of space between the trunk and back seats though.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Can probably almost get a 2013 Accord for that price.
I test drove a base LX 6 speed manual and it honestly had every option I'd want, including alloy wheels. Great car, great package.