Okay, okay, okay. Lets let a bit of common sense move through here...
As I understand it you are looking for a reasonably priced sedan, not too many gizmo's and gadgets, well within the realm of reason. Sounds completely reasonable, and the good news is that in America you are pretty much in luck when it comes to cars like this. The segment has exploded over the past year, and there are going to be several new additions going into the rest of 2007 as the 2008 models begin to debut.
Given that I have a soft-spot for non-sporting sedans such as these, I'm going to recommend what I've been looking at for my Aunt of which is in the same position as your mother, looking to replace her aging Pontiac Grand Prix Coupe. However my Aunt's criteria has one bit of difference, it must be a Domestic-brand product, as we Michigan folks are pretty die-hard Detroit folks. But, there are plenty of great options.
So, what would I suggest?
1) The 2007 Saturn Aura: I can't seem to stop raving about this car. Hell, the press can't seem to stop raving about this car. It is that damn good, and it is about bloody time an American car company has something to brag about. You should be able to get into a modestly-equipped Aura XE (3.5L 224 BHP V6) for right around your price range, albeit with a bit of wiggle room with the Saturn dealer. The good news is that the car is built exceptionally well, arguably better than that of the 2007 Camry, with its significant drop in build quality compared to it's predecessor (check the two, you'll be surprised). The styling is a bit avant-garde for an American car, as Car and Driver put it, "A bit more Citroen than Chevrolet," but not so much that the car would feel out of place with your Mom at her Book Club meeting. Space is comfortable for four adults, passable with five, as the car is a bit more narrow compared to some of the other models out there.
The big drawback is going to be not exactly knowing how depreciation will effect the car. But with the car stacking up the awards and recommendations from various magazines, including an Automobile Test in which the Aura XR beat-out the Camry SE, Saturn obviously means business.
2) The 2007 Ford Fusion: Now I know this car has already stirred-up some discussion in here, but I believe the point is valid in recommending this car. Simply put, the car is damn good, and there isn't any way around it. Now IMO, I would want to opt for the four-cylinder, and just equip the hell out of the car. Not to say that the 3.5L Duratec isn't a good engine (actually, it is quite good), but your Mom doesn't need a racecar, and thereby would do fine with the 2.3L engine that sees duty in the Focus and Mazda lines as well. Alike the Aura, the Fusion is one of the rising stars in the American sedan market, turning the notions upside down that we can build good cars with a bit of know-how. Yes, I realize it is a Mazda 6 underneath, but why not go for the Ford version? IMO, the interior not only looks better, but feels "nicer" as well, and the upside is that you're driving an American car.
3) 2007 Kia Optima: I'm not kidding. This car is good. Damn good. Somehow the folks at Kia got ahold of the Toyota formula, and they are running away with it. Cheap price, stellar build quality, and attractive looks both inside and out make it an appealing car on looks alone. Beyond that, you do have the addition of the 10 year/100,000-mile warranty, and with the improved quality on the Hyundai/Kia models in recent years, my guess is that mechanical failure won't be a big problem at all. Resale values are going to be killer, but if we are to assume that your Mom is anything like mine (or my Aunt for that matter), she probably plans to drive the car into the ground, so that isn't a big deal.
4) 2007 Honda Accord: You can't beat perfection at it's finest, and simply put this is the car to beat by any measure of the yardstick. Yes, the design is getting old and is indeed dated against the competition. But when you are getting a rock-solid design that continues to look good, perform well, and keep up with the competition despite being half-dead age wise, it shouldn't be a big deal. Like the Fusion, IMO the best deals are with the I4 VTEC engines. There is plenty of power to be had, and offers the best fuel-economy available. I still think the cars are great all these years later, as I came away impressed after driving an EX V6 a few years back. Give them a look, they are worth the extra money.
...What I would advise against?
Stay away from the Toyota Camry. Simply put, don't do it. With build-quality levels in a near-free-fall (noted by Car and Driver, Automobile, and Edmunds, as well as noted by my own first-hand experience), the uninspiring styling and driving dynamics, the car is only as good as a transportation device like a bicycle or a scooter. They are indeed overpriced monsters these days, and sure they hold their prices like Lidsay Lohan and her alcohol, that doesn't mean that these models will... As the credit withers away, expect prices to do the same...
Also, stay away from the Chrysler Sebring. Okay, it does have a halfway decent powertrain and chassis combo, but the suspension is far too soft, the styling far-too awkward, and the prices just a little too funky compared to the other choices. If you simply must have a DCX product, I'd wait for the Avenger, but even then, I'm skeptical at best.
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) So thats out of the question, ok? I just built an Aura, it looks good. An Impala would have to be used, but I've seen a bunch of Dealer babies on Autotrader. Same with the Five Hundred. And oh my god, Focus= Large discounts... 2.5K off.