Mom wants to replace her car, details below

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My mom wants to replace her vehicle. Budget is 10k. Current car is a 2004 Mazda Tribute. She likes the size and wants something similar. Her use is 95% short trips. Want something basic and reliable. Recommend away. Thank you.
 
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Mazda CX5. Sits up high like the Tribute and has lots of room. I put my sisters wheel chair in the back by folding one rear seat forward. Easy Peasy. Great mileage
 
I think the last year of the Escape with the 2.5NA and 6spd conventional auto was 2019. Maybe cross shop those with the RAV4, CRV, and CX-5. I guess even the smaller class of SUV's might work for her?
I would get MPFI too if you have a choice, for no oil dilution problems.
 
My mom wants to replace her vehicle. Budget is 10k. Current car is a 2004 Mazda Tribute. She likes the size and wants something similar. Her use is 95% short trips. Want something basic and reliable. Recommend away. Thank you.
How old is mom? I would look into simple, a computer screen leads to watching porn while driving;)
 
Sadly, $10K doesn’t get you a lot in today’s market. Compact SUVs (like the Escape/Tribute) are still quite popular, and priced as such. That said, the CRV and RAV-4 are good bets for reliability.
 
For a modest budget (like $10k) I'd be looking for something simple like a basic Honda/Toyota/Subaru/Mazda. I'd stay away from hybrids (except for maybe a Prius) at that budget. Unless she or you have the skills to rebuild it, a battery refurbishment could get very expensive.
 
Agreed on the bit about avoiding hybrid, if one doesn't drive a lot, it just adds cost, and risk, for little return.

Is something ten years old with over 100k on the odo ok? It's a rough used market still.

Has she looked at what is on lots near by? I'm not sure if she wants to deal with private sale, that can save a few dollars. But more to the point, just looking at what is online at various dealers and then private sales may give an idea as to what is desirable, and what the going advertised prices are.
 
Consider a C-Max. You can get a nice C-Max for under 10k. You might even be able to get a C-Max Energi (plugin).

Hybrid and especially PHEV is great for short trips. You might even use no gas at all for some short trips.
 
You might be able to snag a 2nd gen Escape Hybrid for that money. Replacement hybrid batteries are available and affordable. Basically the same vehicle but the 2nd gen has a lot nicer interior and the hybrid delivers better MPG.

Another option is a used Bolt EV - if you can charge at home, and you don't mind a smaller vehicle. Practically no maintenance, and many of them still have many years of warranty left on the big battery. If you count the used EV tax credit you can easily get one within budget. Either keep the current vehicle for the occasional longer trip or rent a gas/hybrid car for road trips. I mean, people do road trip with their Bolts but I couldn't stand it - I don't have the patience. Still love my Bolt, it's just such a great value car. One thing to keep in mind is early Bolts (2017 to 2019 or 2020) the DC Fast Charging option was NOT standard. Most of them have it but there are a few out there that don't. Before you buy one, make sure it has that! You may never need it but the day you do need it, you'd regret not having it.
 
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Check Carfax to see what's available in your area for your price range. You're just feeling out the market and I find this is a good way to get a general idea of what's out there.

Prices/mileage/condition vary quite a bit, in my experience. It will also give you a bit of leverage if you happen to find a private seller.
 
I agree with sc maintenance you can’t replace what you got these days unless there’s something majorly wrong beyond repair
 
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