keg1997

Alright...
I've been given the assignment to get a new car for my mother-in-law (who bakes a mean apple pie ) Normally, I get stoked buying a car, but somehow the options do not get my adrenaline pumping

Here are the considerations:
1. Trying to stay right about 20K or under. I feel like they'll go over 20K if they like the car though.
2. She has a terrible back so getting in and out is important, as are comfortable seats.
3. Comfortable ride is a must.
4. She wants/likes a big car. She's coming from a late 80's/early 90's Ford Crown Vic.
5. Reliability is very important. She literally probably drives 20 miles round trip to work and back and never goes over 45 MPH (yeah, she's that driver we all can't stand but she bakes a mean apple pie


I brought her home an '02 Avalon XLS yesterday and she liked it. The dash was a bit overwhelming to her but I think that she can be shown how to use everything

I was also going to bring her home a Camry V6 to see if that size was ok. If not, the Avalon size will be it.

I'm also going to look at Mercery Grand Marquis, Buick LeSabre, Ford Crown Vic, and maybe a Ford 500 and see what I can get one of those for.

Any other suggestions?
TIA

nahooneyya

Kia Amanti or the New Hyundai XG~(forgot what the new name is)~

they should be in your price range~

i seem to always support kia or hyundai, but hey~ they make good cars now~

mfkitson

New Honda Accord is a pretty big car, seem to have a good ride, price is a bit above 20k tho..

sipark

^^^ You can get 4 cyl Accord Ex with no leather for around 20K.

mfkitson

Yeah, but I figured she'd want some of the plusher stuff, so they'd be lookin at 23-25K

Whiskers

Old people (and Dom ) like Buicks....

quantmonkey

3.5L Chrslyer 300 with leather and sunroof runs ~ $26K

Doom878

You brought an 02 Avalon? I guess not to buy but to get an idea if she liked the size? 4 banger Camry is probably her best bet or a Honda Accord but I like the Camry style better than the Accord sedan. Nissan Altima is the next tier down.

If she picks the car I advised can I get a piece of that apple pie?

youngTL

Used Avalon. Can't go wrong. Either that or a used ES300/330.

mfkitson

WHEW, I guess that means I'm not old yet....

keg1997

Yeah they throw ya the keys to cars if they think you're serious around here. I've always been able to bring cars that we were thinking about buying home for a couple of nights or weekend. Makes it much easier to buy!


I'll send ya a whole apple pie...it is good!!!

keg1997

I need to clarify...
Looking at a used car...something in the 2001-04 range. The big thing is staying in the 20K range

bgsm1th

early 2000's RL?

B

keg1997

Thanks for the input...I'll look into them but I have to admit that I'm a bit leery of getting a Hyundai or Kia. I still have visions of the first Excel hatchback dancing in my head

Plus, I think that father-in-law would have difficulties accepting those. He's a Ford man (has a F150) so I'm just hoping he's cool with a Japanese car.

youngTL

These are a steal! They are quite underappreciated. I drove a 2002 3.5RL on a test drive and loved it. It was too much money though for me.

keg1997

Great idea...don't know why I had not thought about that...

Doom878

Well if she'll make me one....

If used is ok then I'd stick. I think a 2 yr old Camry/Accord will hardly have a depreciation hit so you might as well go new if they offer better financing.

Eggplant-EX

a used Chev Impala..

chungkopi

06 hyundai sonata



it is quieter than camry and accord and much roomier. http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102396

"Being built for Americans means being roomy on the inside, and the Sonata doesn’t disappoint. With 121.7 cubic feet of interior space, it fits into the government’s “large car” category, with significant increases from the previous model in leg-, shoulder- and headroom. Sonata’s interior is larger than those of the Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu."


i test drove it last week(both v4 and v6). i honestly like this better than my friend's 05 accord v6. it looks better, quieter, and roomier.

also, it's alot cheaper and you get that 100K warranty.

chungkopi

also, i wouldn't buy a used car for older folks. i would definitely buy a brand car with a long warranty.

Bmerc89

Used I'd go with an Avalon...or maybe an RL if the price was right...

I know you don;t want knew...but The Ford 500 is supposed to be good for getting in and out of, I think the hight or something is just right that u dont have to step up or down to get in...and it's kinda big...and it's a Ford since you're father in law likes em (if you can't 'convert' him to japanese ) But I don;t know about the reliability...and it's new...and it starts around 23k tho...

but that's what came to mind when you were describing what u needed...good luck findin a car...and make sure to send some pie this way too

and kinda OT..but since someone mentioned the sonata...this reminds me of the back of it : lol You gotta admit...it does look similar

Doom878

oh shit a V4!!!

DownUnder

I've seen Mercury Grand Marquis' selling for around $18K brand new around here. That's pretty cheap for a big V8 sedan and they're very reliable old peoples car.

youngTL

youngTL

First generation RL's are going for SUCH good prices right now! You can easily get one for that!

Chopsie

Buy Dallison's if he still has it

keg1997

I think that I'm gonna go by the Ford dealer today to look at the 500. I had heard the same things and the Ford thing will help Pops.
The RL is a definite thought...I need to check into that.
Thanks for the input!

keg1997

Another funny that I forgot from the original post:

I went to a local Toyota dealer and my salesman was showing me the new Avalon for kicks. Did you know that it has "high definition hollerin lights"?

I'm a pretty nice guy but I almost wanted to follow up on the "high definition" comment. Does it come with ESPN HD?

Thanks all for your suggestions...I'm hoping to be able to do some good shopping for "Granny" this weekend.
On my list will be:

Used RL
Used Camry/Avalon
Mercury Grand Marquis
Ford Crown Vic
Ford 500
Lincoln Town Car
Used Buick LeSabre/Park Avenue
Hyundai Sonata
Maybe just for quicks...a used minivan like a Sienna or Ody. I know that many older folks get those b/c they are easy to get in/out of. Besides, I'd have access to it but wouldn't have to park it in my driveway

Doom878

HIdef lights.

fast-tl

you should probably go right back into a Mercury Grand Marquis. It's an upgrade from the Corwn Vic and it's still available cheap. Older ladyt that works for me bought an '03 Grand Marquis earlier this year for $10K or $11K. She wouldn't even consider a Honda or Toyota.