My mom wants a new car.

[TopHat]

Hey all, I'm too young to drive, but my mom thinks that its time to graduate to something with a lot more cargo room than her 04 Sonata.



The budget is approximatley 27K.

I'm open to all suggestions for my mother, as she has trusted me with researching cars for her.

My mom doesn't care for power. SHE IS THE FARTHEST THING FROM AN ENTHUSIAST

Here are the requirements:

1. Interior space (passengers and Cargo)
2. Safety
3. Features and amenities
4. Price
5. Interior Packaging
6. Fairly Reliable
(Thanks M-Spec)



I've already looked at a few of them and heres a list:


1. Mazda 5
2. Taurus X
3. Dodge GC
4. Honda Odyssey
5. Toyota Sienna
6. Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona

Any of those would be acceptable.

Also, no SUVs please, my mother is against them. Really.

 

[ND4SPD]

Between all of those choices, I would opt for the Ford Fusion with the AWD. Although I would wait a little more for the 3.5L V6 which is supposed to come out soon.

 

[TopHat]

To be honest, the I4 SEL is a better value than the V6 SE. My mother prefers value over power, not an enthusiast.

 

[ND4SPD]

To be honest, the I4 SEL is a better value than the V6 SE. My mother prefers value over power, not an enthusiast.

Either way, the fusion is a great car.

Just wondering, does it have to be new?

 

[TopHat]

Ideally it would be new.

 

[azevedojose]

I would stick to these two: Saturn Aura (assuming it's the same as an Opel Vectra) and Ford Fusion... despite being more enthusiast of the Fusion!!!

 

[TopHat]

Yes, the Aura is indeed very similar to the Opel Vectra.

 

[Sage]

Um, if she’s getting rid of a midsize sedan that’s less than 3 years old just because of the cargo room, then wouldn’t she want something more substantial than another midsize sedan? It seems to me you should be looking at wagons or something.

 

[TopHat]

Yeah, them too, but its hard to find cheaper ones, and the Focus Wagon isn't buildable on Fords website... Maybe I should add the Legacy wagon.

 

[ND4SPD]

Ever considered the Subaru Impreza 2.5 wagon?

 

[TopHat]

I already asked my mom, she doesn't like the way they look.

 

[ND4SPD]

Hmm, how about the Dodge Magnum? They have tons of room and since she doesn't really care about when engine is in it, I'm pretty sure a base Magnum starts in the low twenties?

On a semi-related note, I wiki'd the Dodge Magnum and this popped up:


Another suggestion, how about the Mazda 3 hatch? It may not be as big as the other cars but it certainly is quite large inside. Great price too.

 

[TS]

If your mom wants the room, take the Matrix, HHR or like ND4SPD suggested the Mazda 3 hatch, or the Nissan Versa.

Prices:
Versa (1.8 SL) - $18,125
Matrix (Base) - $19,525
HHR (LS) - $18,390
3 (S sport) - $19,265

All were loaded with all options available

 

[a6m5]

I second what Sage said. None of the cars on the list are bigger than the Sonata. If your mom really needs something with more room, she should look at SUVs, vans(including minivans), or wagons.

It would be pretty hard to find a larger quality vehicle for $22,000. It might have to be the similar size car, or used.

 

[skip0110]

I'll cast my vote for the Legacy turbo wagon (2.5 GT or whatever they call it)

 

[Wolfe]

I'm with Sage and a6m5 -- most of these cars are too small, so you should get a wagon. If you do so, you'd be best off with the Subaru Legacy, or the Subaru Forester (it's more of a wagon than an SUV).

 

[TopHat]

Out of all the cars I've built out of pure boredom, I've realised how few of them have standard ABS....

I've built a Magnum, A Mazda 6 5-Door, a Mazda 3 5 Door Grand Touring, and a Mazda 5 Grand Touring. All of them are promising, going onto the list now.

 

[1X83Z]

Either way, the fusion is a great car.

Man. You guys really get me sometimes. With all the unbelievably competitive midsize sedans out there, we have THAT statement uttered. Lord. ND4SPD, let me guess - you're the type who would move a Fortune 100 company from a major city to rural Tennessee.

 

[kennythebomb]

Man. You guys really get me sometimes. With all the unbelievably competitive midsize sedans out there, we have THAT statement uttered. Lord. ND4SPD, let me guess - you're the type who would move a Fortune 100 company from a major city to rural Tennessee.

Although I am biased, the Fusion is nothing to be ashamed about. It might not meet his mother's specific needs, but it's a fine car.

 

[rotary_freq]

I'll just say this, I'd go with Subaroid Leganus myself. But you know, I'm a bit biased myself.

Admittedly I was never really a subbie nut, but once I picked a couple up, I realized that they're just nice cars. Legacy especially, is just a well designed, easy to live with piece of machinery.

Agreed with wolfe on the cargo part, either hop on Legacy Wagon or go for Forester. Wagon will give you the benefit of having a car while having more cargo space, whereas Forester will have a more SUV feel to it and furthermore the cargo area.

I know a guy with Fusion, really not that good of a car, if you want to take the ford route, go with Freestyle. It really embodies what a crossover should be, car/wagon/suv, all in one, (imo rather unnatractive) but functional package.

That's my two cents friend.

 

[ND4SPD]

Man. You guys really get me sometimes. With all the unbelievably competitive midsize sedans out there, we have THAT statement uttered. Lord. ND4SPD, let me guess - you're the type who would move a Fortune 100 company from a major city to rural Tennessee.

Hey come on now,its not a bad car at all. Sure its not amazing and its not bad. Being nominated for North American car of the year and being ranked by consumer Reports ahead of its rivals, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in overall quality rating has got to say something about the car.

Oh and yes, someone who lives in Ontario Canada's 5th fastest growing mid-size city would love to move a Fortune 100 company to rural Tennessee.

 

[Sakiale]

I think Consumer Reports is kind of opinionated... I see a lot of 'Recommended Buys' that I would never expect to see...

 

[a6m5]

What's wrong with Ford Fusion? I see Fusion as one of the few cars that Ford did not screw up on. Am I missing something?

 

[Wolfe]

Being nominated for North American car of the year...

I didn't know Mazdas were eligible for that award...

 

[TopHat]

Gee, thanks M5Power for HiJacking my thread. .

The only issue with the Freestyle is the price, starting at about 26k, but the dealers could probably throw one at us... Only time will tell.

 

[///M-Spec]

Monte, if you have a shot at driving the car when you become of legal age, I would try to swing her towards the Mazda 6. It's big enough to be family practical, a good value and looks sharp. All things that will please your mother.

Get the sports package and it'll please you when you're old enough to beg for the keys.


M

 

[kennythebomb]

I think Consumer Reports is kind of opinionated... I see a lot of 'Recommended Buys' that I would never expect to see...

Given that any enterprise undertaken by humans is going to be tainted with hints of bias.. however CR is about as close to a impartial source that you can find.

Perhaps their Recommended Buys surprise you because you are buying into the stereotypes about certain brands.

 

[1X83Z]

What's wrong with Ford Fusion? I see Fusion as one of the few cars that Ford did not screw up on. Am I missing something?

Underpowered, overpriced, underspecced.

Just those things.

Total piece of crap.

Gee, thanks M5Power for HiJacking my thread. .

The only issue with the Freestyle is the price, starting at about 26k, but the dealers could probably throw one at us... Only time will tell.

Hijacking?! I made one post!!

 

[a6m5]

I didn't know Mazdas were eligible for that award...

My Nissan Altima won that award in 2002.

Underpowered, overpriced, underspecced.

Just those things.

Total piece of crap.

How is one of the cheapest car in its' class over priced? I have not yet to actually drive the car, but feedbacks from the people and media has been good. Underpowered, underspecced, yes. But it easily makes up for it in pricing. Ford cars are easier to haggle on the prices, plus rebates are big part of their pricing structure. You try asking for one of those at Honda Dealers!

Fusion's starting price after the rebate is $16,995, and that's including the destination charge!.

Also, how is it a piece of crap? From my observance, car seems very high quality. Fit and finish looked really good.

Hijacking?! I made one post!!

I agree, it's not hijacking entirely. We are debating on the worthiness of the selection #6 in the first post.

 

[TopHat]

Monte, if you have a shot at driving the car when you become of legal age, I would try to swing her towards the Mazda 6. It's big enough to be family practical, a good value and looks sharp. All things that will please your mother.

Get the sports package and it'll please you when you're old enough to beg for the keys.


M

I don't have to worry about that, my dad already owns one.

I've just returned from school, with my trusty New Car Buying Guide, I've realised how much space the Suzuki SX4 has in such a small package! 38 Cubic Feet would please my mom very much... Also how could I forget the Toyota Prius, she loves hybrids, might show her a basic one.