Help me buy my Mom a new car

[Woofmeister]

My mom was in an accident and her old car was totaled. The good news is that her insurance company is giving her $5,500 in compensation, the bad news is that I'm going to have to make up the rest.

Since I cover most of my mother's expenses, I'm looking for something really dependable with a very long warranty. I think that knocks out a good used car right off the bat. My mom will drive either a coupe or sedan, but doesn't like hatchbacks because she leaves lots of stuff in her car and parks on the street.

I'm hoping to get her something with front and side airbags and ABS. She can't drive a stick so an automatic is required. She lives in Southern California so air conditioning is probably a requirement as well. Power windows and locks as well as good city gas mileage are also requirements.

I'm hoping to avoid giving her more than $10,000 toward this purchase and I'm hoping that an all cash deal combined with end of model year discounts should make this doable even with the 7.25% California sales tax.

I'm currently steering my mom toward a Hyndai Accent or Elantra, Kia Rio or Nissan Versa.

Any other suggestions?

 

[mwmorph]

Versa.

Also, the focus has a 5 year 100k mile coverage. It's had it since 2003. It's the only Ford to receive special treatment like this I think.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Versa.

Also, the focus has a 5 year 100k mile coverage. It's had it since 2003. It's the only Ford to receive special treatment like this I think.

Also, teh focus has so many dam incentives. When i was looking at it, it had around $3500 off just with customer rebates....

 

[Woofmeister]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Versa.

Also, the focus has a 5 year 100k mile coverage. It's had it since 2003. It's the only Ford to receive special treatment like this I think.

Also, teh focus has so many dam incentives. When i was looking at it, it had around $3500 off just with customer rebates....

Good incentives on the Focus, but no side airbags--want to keep mom safe (the rest of you sharing the road with her are on your own :laugh🙂

 

[Funyuns101]

I would suggest the Hyundai Elantra. I've driven it a number of times as a rental car out in LA on work trips as I'm normally constrained to the subcompacts. I think that most rentals are usually stripped down a little bit; however, I found it to be a much better car than the Ford Focus and various other GM small cars.

Anyway, I've found them to be very decent cars as a "best bang for the buck".
My $0.02

 

[ahfunaki]

Toyota Yaris

 

[vi edit]

Used + extended bumper to bumper from the Manf. If she just totaled out a car, she likely won't really want to ride in a pop can sized Elantra/Sentra or worse, a Yaris/Rio.

You can get a used '06 Impala w/ the 10 year/100k mile powertrain warranty for around $14k. You could likely extend out the bumper to bumper for another $1,000.

 

[Vetterin]

The Focus only has a 3yr/36000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. The 5yr/50000 is for the powertrain only. With the 2008 models comming out you just might be able to get a new 2007 Hyundai Sonata for close to $15K. Should have everything you're looking for.

 

[desy]

Focus Versa Elantra, all good choices

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Versa is a hatch.......

Guy at my work had a rental '07 Sentra and I was impressed by the roominess in the car. Trunk was huge! back seat was really roomy as wel. Great gas mileage too!


'07 Sentra is a great choice! At $15K, you might not make it into this car unless the rebates & haggling is great!

If she will consider it you can't beat a PT Cruiser, the upright seating position is nice if your Mom's older and the Hatch is really well concealed. Auto & Air, with full power is around $12K new! Lifetime powertrain wrranty too. Gas mileage is decnt at 25mpg mixed, but they last forever!

Here is the ad from our Dodge/Chrysler dealer
PT Cruiser AD

 

[Vette73]

Look at the Cobalt/G5. Year end deals and very low % rates as well. Very reliable and easy to drive.

Maybe a Hyundai?

Also with year end deals you might be able to get a Pontiac G6 value leader. Most standard options like auto trans, power windows, ABS, traction control, etc... for $18k but that is before all teh deals.


Of course best thing is to find 3 or so cars and let her test drive. Then let her pick.

 

[Tyrant222]

Another nice thing about the Chevy's is that the 07s have 5yr/100k powertrain + 5yr/100k Roadside Assistance.

Id say check out the cobalt or HHRs.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Top Gear magazine had this to say about the Kia Rio:

Model to go for: Anything but the Rio; Walking; A canoe.

 

[Jeff7181]

Can't go wrong with a Civic?

 

[redgtxdi]

I'll 2nd the Elantra.


Most car for the money.............IN THE WORLD.........right now.


Elantra's always had a cult following, but with this latest revision it has silently taken over the top spot.

No other car on the market can compete right now in what you get for the $$$.

And this comes from a Toyota fanboy!!! (me)

 

[SketchMaster]

Another vote for the Hyundai Elantra. My Mom drove one from CO to UT and back, at first she was mad she didn't get the Impala she thought she was renting but after the trip she liked to car so much she is thinking of buying one.

 

[Woofmeister]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

My mom ended up getting a new 2007 Toyota Corolla CE though without the side curtain airbags. Out the door including tax and tags it ended up costing her just under $15,600.