New vehicle for my mom... considering a Prius C?

[jigen]

Was over my parents house last night and my Mom started telling me how she is thinking about getting a new car in the Spring. She currently has a 2003 Corolla 5-speed manual that has 100+k miles on it. She's 58, and has been driving stick her entire life. Figuring she will be pushing 70 when her next car is 10 years old, she is looking for an automatic this time around.

Any reason to not consider the Prius C? She treats cars like an appliance. Going point A-B and looking for the absolute least maintenance as possible (dad changes oil and will only do something else if something breaks).

All of her trips are in the 3-10 mile range with a rare long trip here and there. She doesn't care much about cars so she is looking to not go much over 20k range. Bells and whistles mean nothing to her.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Rand]

cruze eco. 6mt

my grandma drove stick till 78.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

Any other suggestions?


Put the corolla on "Item for sale" for your BITOG buddies?

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: Rand
cruze eco. 6mt

my grandma drove stick till 78.


Good for her, seriously. But after 70 years if someone wants an automatic, that's what he or she should get. My mom drove a stick until her late 60's, and she was glad to have an automatic as her last car.

I think the Priuc C is a good choice.

 

[Mr Nice]

I think a Corolla would be better for less money.

 

[jigen]

The base Prius is only about 1000 more than the corolla. 26/34 mpg vs. 53/46 just made me think prius for her driving. But then again she's the one buying, so whatever she likes.

 

[JimPghPA]

Does she stay home if it snows or it probably will snow? If not, I would be concerned (want to know about the ground clearance for driving in the snow) for any vehicle you got for her.

I do not know the ground clearance of the Prius or Prius C, but in general the smaller the vehicle the smaller the ground clearance.

 

[Rand]

the person is question is 58

making her think about being old 10 years from now and buying an automatic?

if she wants a stick get a stick.. then get an auto in 5-10 years. If she wants an auto.. get an auto.. all I'm saying.

58 is not too old to drive stick. If she wants an auto thats fine. I think my earlier comment was misunderstood.

how about a 2014 forester with cvt.
would be about 20k, awd if thats a bonus.

 

[vssjim]

I also vote for Cruze, a good value for a smaller car

 

[01rangerxl]

My mom is about the same age and uses cars the same way, and she really likes her '08 Mazda 3. She hates the horrendous Mazda dealer network though and the car now goes to an indy shop she trusts that specializes in imports for maintenance. The fly by night Mazda dealers botched too many simple things, like leaving the fill cap off after an oil change.

My sister also has an '06 that is surely approaching or over 100K miles by now. She also sees cars as appliances for the most part, but does keep up with maintenance. The '08 was purchased because of how much my sister likes her '06.

Both cars were bought new and have had some hiccups along the way, but have been very reliable overall with no major repairs.

Pros: good handling, decent build & materials (except fabrics), seats are fairly comfortable, enough room, fun to drive with good power and decent auto trans with "manual" shifting. Great appliance.

Cons: Weak A/C in both, ugly red lighting on dash, fabrics and carpet are not the best, horrid dealer network that can not be relied on for anything. Most Mazda dealers are actually used car dealers that need a line of new cars to look legit. Same situation as Mitsubishi, but better products than Mitsubishi.

 

[jigen]

She'll drive in the snow, but the trips are fairly short.

She's been on corollas for a long time. Before the 2003, she had a 1986 corolla that lasted her all those years. To be honest, she got rid of that one because it was just embarrassing to drive to work (teacher). It was becoming an eye sore.

The Subaru is a good suggestion! I'll have her drive one of those too.

 

[jigen]

@01rangerXL - thanks for the info! I put a 3 on the short list but she hasn't warmed up to the exterior styling. : /

 

[Rand]

just an fyi the 2013 subaru has the 4eat OLD automatic transmission


the 2014 coming out soon(march?)

will have a 6mt or cvt available.

if she doesnt mind the 4eat there may be deals to be had on a 2013.. 2014 is a major restyle/new design.

when I bought my 2011 the X(base model) was 18.9k-19.5k

the X premium adds alot of bells and whistles
ie bigger wheels
panoramic sunroof..
heated seats
etc
for about 2800

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: jigen
@01rangerXL - thanks for the info! I put a 3 on the short list but she hasn't warmed up to the exterior styling. : /


I don't think anyone has warmed up to the 2010+ 3's styling; I'm not sure why Mazda decided to make it so weird.

 

[mva]

Originally Posted By: jigen
The base Prius is only about 1000 more than the corolla. 26/34 mpg vs. 53/46 just made me think prius for her driving. But then again she's the one buying, so whatever she likes.


For $1,000 difference I would go with the Prius C but the Corolla would also be a good choice. Here in Canada there is more like a $6000 premium for the Prius C over a base automatic Corolla.

Although complex, the Prius drive train is well proven to be very reliable with minimal maintenance requirements. And she will be protected against the potential for higher gas prices in the future.

 

[neevers]

We just got a Ford Focus automatic, and it's quite nice, the Cruze eco seems nice as well, though she wasn't interested in it at all.

The interior on the cruze and focus are lightyears ahead of the prius C in my opinion, though the MPG can't really be argued with.

 

[gathermewool]

How many miles per year? If her annual mileage lowers from what she puts on her Corolla now, then having a larger, safer vehicle that gets less gas mileage might not matter much. IMO, if she can afford a new car, then she can afford the slight increase in cost of something like a Subaru over a Prius, if that's what she wants.

In the end, it's all about what she wants. Maybe she wants an STI to cruise through her 60's in!

 

[itguy08]

I'd say Focus as well. Or the Cruze or maybe something she can still get stick in if she wants

Don't forget the Prius C is the size of the Yaris which IIRC is smaller than the Corolla. When doing the math, according to Motor Trend http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1202_2012_toyota_prius_c/ , the payback is a very, very long time.

 

[user52165]

Find out if she likes the display offset from normal. To me that is odd not having it right in front of the drivers view.

It is intuitive for the eyes to focus from the road to the display in the same plane, not offset towards the center.

 

[bourne]

Mazda 3i Touring with Skyactiv 6MT or 6AT , either are excellent. Easy 30 mpg city , 40 mpg hwy car. Or if you can find a leftover 2012 3i Grand Touring like we did, you can have leather, bose, sunroof, heated seats, nav for under 20k.