Need help choosing a car for the MIL....

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Stanley Rockafeller

Joined
Mar 29, 2005
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691
Location
Van, B.C.
The criteria are:
must be:

Auto
Good on Gas (better or equal to her 05 Focus also with auto)
be fully loaded (sunroof etc.)
09+ in age
$20CAD budget (so that's like 25,000US ;))
Under 30,000kms

Based on reviews from Carsurvey and Edmunds used car reviews, I have narrowed it down to:

Corolla (09+)
Yaris
Elantra Touring (up to 2011 only)
Ford Focus (b/t 09-11)

Considering she only needs the car for herself and will be getting a custom shop to install some hand controls. I wanted to make sure that she was gettin a very simplistic interior as well as car that will be RELIABLE as her 05 Focus has been (the only reason why she's getting a new car is b/c she sold her aceridge and has more money than what she know's to do with). Since simplicity is key, I really dont' like the corolla/yaris's cruise control stalk, it's funny and sticks out of the side of the wheel and is hard to read (remember, we're dealing with an older person here)

Ideally I wanted a car with a reliable name plate and that was well recognized (no Hyundai) since she lives in a small rural town that's 2 hours away from the closest dealership. But since the Hyundai has such great ratings for the vehicle as well as for the dealership I have to seriously consider it.

Considering the price range, it seems like the best thing to do, is to get her a car that has a warranty.

What would you go with? I really think I can get her something FAR under the 20 mark, but I also want to do some maint. and swap everything over to syn and do any needed repairs (i.e. tires brake pads etc.)to it so I KNOW she will only have to purchase gas for the first year (she only drives about 10-15k miles per year.

I really TRIED HARD to get her to accept a nice 08 Grand Marquis I found for 12g's, but she wouldn't have any of that.

Any other cars I should consider? thanks in advance
 
Exactly what I was thinking if she has money forget about trying to squeeze every penny’s worth of MPG's and go for a Crown-Vick or Grand-Marquis. They are Very reliable, heck practically all you have to do with them is change the oil, put gas and windshield fluid in them and once in a while brakes and tires. A darn reliable vehicle if there ever was one. I have several relatives that have them and they have nothing but good things to say about them.
 
How much are the newer Elantras going for? You said no Hyundais, but they seem like nice cars. And then there's the Civic, Fit, Mazda 3, Versa, and Scion xB. I wouldn't go for the newer Corolla, but then again I'm not elderly. It's cheap inside. I don't think she would have issues with the cruise though. Pretty sure it's the same layout as our Camry and everything is clearly marked and rather intuitive once you get used to it. Also, what about a Prius. I don't know about Canada, but in the states they can be found in the price range you stated. I see a lot of older people driving those around here so they can't be that complicated for them.
 
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Exactly what I was thinking if she has money forget about trying to squeeze every penny’s worth of MPG's and go for a Crown-Vick or Grand-Marquis. They are Very reliable, heck practically all you have to do with them is change the oil, put gas and windshield fluid in them and once in a while brakes and tires. A darn reliable vehicle if there ever was one. I have several relatives that have them and they have nothing but good things to say about them.


Maybe she isn't comfortable with the size
21.gif
? They're really big cars.
 
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
How about a Subaru Forester. In Canada in winter the 4WD would be nice.


Proberbly not an issue in Vancouver.
How about a Toyota matrix, corolla, or Yaris without cruze?
 
Yeah, the Crown Vic or Grand Marquis were my first choices, esp since she lives in a small town and any mechanic who knows RWD american cars could easily maintain/repair one. Not to mention parts are VERY cheap and EASILY attainable.

Forgot to mention that we have to transport (deliver this new vehicle) to her at the end of Juny/beginning of Aug. to Saskatchewan.

The Focus is out since it's just too "buttony". She needs a car with a plain, sparce interior like the Corolla.

I'm honestly VERY biased towards the Elantra Touring since it has such great reviews and has a manufacturers warranty.

Trust me guys, if I could go with a CV or GM, I'd totally be all over that idea.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: expat
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
How about a Subaru Forester. In Canada in winter the 4WD would be nice.


Proberbly not an issue in Vancouver.
How about a Toyota matrix, corolla, or Yaris without cruze?


Considered the Matrix and Vibe, but the dash clusters are a little too hard to read for a senior. The car NEEDS to have cruise for the drive to Saskatchewan.
 
no to the focus having one in the family its a good car for a teenager but it kinda cheap. roll the back window down half way with the rest up and it sounds like a air raid is going on itll make you nauseous. how about a new sonic? could you get the hatchback brand new for under 20? or maybe the elantra.
 
You say you want fully loaded but then say you want a simple interior? Those goals seem at odds with each other.

What about an I4 Fusion?
 
she musnt drive very far in her focus

I would steer well clear of anything euro

they go through brake pads and rotors and they cost $$$ to replace

want cheap , reliable then stick to toyota

sister had an echo and in 100K kilometres it used 2 tyres , a set of spark plugs , some oil and filters and petrol and thats about it

have seen many euro cars at my mechanic with 30k kilometres needing full sets of brakes and rotors
 
I'm not sure what the gas mileage is on a Focus, but a 4 cyl mid-size sedan such as the Camry, Accord, the aforementioned Fusion, and Malibu could get pretty close, and they would be more comfortable to drive and easier to get in and out of if she has joint pain.
 
found an 08 Malibu for 12g's with 34k miles.
fully loaded with all options

hopefully that will work, dunno yet if the buyer will take anythign that old
 
On the Malibu have someone look for any small oli leak around the intake gasket. I do not know what year (IF any) GM finaly figured out how to put one of those engines together without the intake gasket going bad afer 30,000 or 40,000 miles.
 
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