Thinking about buying my mom a car...help me pick one!

[FreshPrince]

My budget is under $14K. I know it's nothing fancy, but my mom's been hinting that she'd like a new car so I would like to make that a reality for her. Btw, I'm looking mainly for NEW

Currently I'm looking at:

Dodge Neon
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
Mazda3
Mitsubishi Lancer
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Corolla

heh, I know it's a lot of selection, but they all look pretty much alike specwise and I'm needing a push in the right direction. Also, if you all don't mind, let me know which trim of the model to get as well. I'd really like to get her an Altima, but it's out of my budget

TIA

-FP

 

[iwearnosox]

I'd put in a poll if I were you.

 

[rudeguy]

take the Neon off the list right now. I owned a Neon and have talked to alot of other Neon owners...they suck.

$14k can buy you a lot of car, have you talked to her about going along on a few test drives to see what she wants?

 

[vi edit]

Personally? I wouldn't buy a new car for $14,000. I'd look at a 2001-2002 Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima and see what you could do.

Spend an extra $800 and get a manufacturer extended warranty for another three years. More car. Better value.

But that's just me. I wouldn't get an econobox just to get that new car smell.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Personally? I wouldn't buy a new car for $14,000. I'd look at a 2001-2002 Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima and see what you could do.

Spend an extra $800 and get a manufacturer extended warranty for another three years. More car. Better value.

But that's just me. I wouldn't get an econobox just to get that new car smell.

are we sure he is talking brand new??? Or just new to his mom?

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: GoodDad
take the Neon off the list right now. I owned a Neon and have talked to alot of other Neon owners...they suck. $14k can buy you a lot of car, have you talked to her about going along on a few test drives to see what she wants?

I kinda want to surprise her

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Personally? I wouldn't buy a new car for $14,000. I'd look at a 2001-2002 Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima and see what you could do.

Spend an extra $800 and get a manufacturer extended warranty for another three years. More car. Better value.

But that's just me. I wouldn't get an econobox just to get that new car smell.

are we sure he is talking brand new??? Or just new to his mom?

not sure. couldnt tell from his post. freshprince, are you looking to buy a brand new car? or just one (used or not) to replace your mom's existing car?

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: vi_edit Personally? I wouldn't buy a new car for $14,000. I'd look at a 2001-2002 Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima and see what you could do. Spend an extra $800 and get a manufacturer extended warranty for another three years. More car. Better value. But that's just me. I wouldn't get an econobox just to get that new car smell.

are we sure he is talking brand new??? Or just new to his mom?

not sure. couldnt tell from his post. freshprince, are you looking to buy a brand new car? or just one (used or not) to replace your mom's existing car?

I'm looking for new, but I guess if I can find a "great" deal on a used one, I would look into it.

btw, by browsing carmax, I see that there are 2 PT cruisers going for $13K each! how is that possible?! too bad she doesn't drive manual brand new too!

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: FreshPrince

Originally posted by: LongCoolMother

Originally posted by: GoodDad

Originally posted by: vi_edit Personally? I wouldn't buy a new car for $14,000. I'd look at a 2001-2002 Camry/Accord/Altima/Maxima and see what you could do. Spend an extra $800 and get a manufacturer extended warranty for another three years. More car. Better value. But that's just me. I wouldn't get an econobox just to get that new car smell.

are we sure he is talking brand new??? Or just new to his mom?

not sure. couldnt tell from his post. freshprince, are you looking to buy a brand new car? or just one (used or not) to replace your mom's existing car?

I'm looking for new, but I guess if I can find a "great" deal on a used one, I would look into it.

btw, by browsing carmax, I see that there are 2 PT cruisers going for $13K each! how is that possible?! too bad she doesn't drive manual brand new too!

Unless you know she likes them, I think it may be a little risky to suprise her with a PT Cruiser.

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: UglyCassanova
Unless you know she likes them, I think it may be a little risky to suprise her with a PT Cruiser.

that and she doesn't know how to drive manual

 

[Emrys]

Mazda 3 looks like a good car, but I have heard that right now you can get a 6 for about the same price and tehy are a tad larger.

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: Emrys
Mazda 3 looks like a good car, but I have heard that right now you can get a 6 for about the same price and tehy are a tad larger.

where! maybe I can hagle with a dealer somewhere

 

[RollWave]

another vote for mazda 3 or 6.

 

[Dragnov]

Originally posted by: rnp614
another vote for mazda 3 or 6.

For a mom?

If hes makes enough money to buy his mom a car, I'm guessing hes at youngest in his late 20's. Making his mom 50+. I don't know about you guys, but I can't picture a 50+ year old woman driving a Mazda 3 or 6. But whatever floats your boat I guess.

Scratch off the overprice ricermobile Mitsubishi Lancer.

 

[d33pt]

that's nice of you to buy your mom such a nice car.

 

[Falloutboy]

ummm... I could never picture buying my parents a car. but I guess when your dad goes thru cars like water (7 this year), he's retired but makes 100G plus a year going too and from AZ buying and selling cars.

 

[Pocatello]

For 14K, I would buy a used Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, they come better equipped that a brand new Corolla or Civic.

 

[Martin]

get her a smart car
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/images/Thecar.gif

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

What if after you bought the car and she doesn't like it or tells you that you shouldn't have, or at least told her of your intentions so she can pick something that she actually prefers/likes? Then what?

Does it have to be new because it's a gift?

For such a big decision and investment, it's better you ask for her advice as well.

 

[FreshPrince]

she always said she like camery so maybe I should look for a used one. not too old though. Also, I'll be 27 in may

 

[Vette73]

Just helped my grandmother get a LOADed 2-Door GrandAm Ram-Air GT. Has the chrome wheels, roof, Ram-Air V6, etc....


If you are tight on money look at some GM cars, with all the rebates and low % right now your money goes a long way.

 

[andylawcc]

at 14k I doubt you are able to get a Corolla, Civic, or Maz3 with sufficient options. For this reason, I would pick the Elantra.

 

[FreshPrince]

actually, I found a bunch of Chrysler Sebring sedans for $15K

are these good cars?

 

[Kaieye]

Go for the Lancer! 2004 models come with 10yr/100000 mile warranty(except EVO) pwr train warranty - I believe.

I rather own a Lancer built in Japan by Japanese than a Civic or Accord built here in America( didn't the S2000 built here in America had a serious transmission problem vs their Japanese S2000 built in Japan?)...

I remember 15 years ago, I was having a American breakfast in downtown Tokyo and I ask for a bottle of catsup. When the waiter brought me the bottle, he purposely turned the bottle with the label towards me so I can see what brand I was eating. And this is why little things like this makes me purchase cars made and assembled over in Japan. I also remember having dinner in Hiroshima with a English professor(Japanese and trained in Berkeley) about how the people in the area were very proud of Mazda and how the cars were assembled with quality and perfection at the time.

Yes, I own a 2002 Lancer and a 2000 Mazda MPV( I know it has a Ford Duratec engine) and had two Mit. cars that both lasted about 15 years with very little upkeep...

 

[flot]

You will be able to buy a MUCH nicer car if you get a 2-3 year old used one in the same price range.

You are basically looking at the low-end of all new cars. However if you look at used, you can be looking at some solid midrange cars, which will be better built and nicer all around. Disadvantages will be the warranty, so definitely think about that. However a used car that cost $25k new will certainly last longer than a new car that cost $14k.

PS: My gf bought her mom a 2001 Neon for $5000 a few months ago - it wasn't "new" but only had 33k miles on it and in good shape. It was literally less than half the price of a brand new one, and 75% as good.