Help me choose a car for my mom. - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Mandy · 04-01-2013, 04:40 PM

So I was talking to my mom about the FR-S, as I've had it for over a month now, and I was telling her about how much I love the car, but I don't think I would ever buy a new car again. I enjoy the hunt of finding a used car in good condition with low mileage, it's a challenge, but it feels more rewarding than strolling into a dealership and dropping some cash. Additionally, I've been dealing with all the honeymoon/heartache (scratches, dings, bird poo, dust, etc.), and as I'm very OCD when it comes to taking care of my cars, it's been taxing at times.

Anyway, she's planning to retire from the army after over 30 years of service, and I thought it would be a nice gesture from my brother and I to get her a new(er) car.

She's in her 60's, and we were thinking something in the $8k or lower range would make a nice retirement gift for her, as she'll be receiving her orders between August and September.

He car history, as far as I can remember:
'64 1/2 Mustang
'83 BMW 320i
'88 Chevy Impala
'90 Chevy Caprice
'03 Chevy Impala

Guess when I was born! Anyway, Something like an '08 Impala seems like it would be a logical choice, but I'm open to other suggestions. If it had some basic tech like Bluetooth/Nav, I'm sure she would love that, but it's probably asking for too much in the price range. Again, she's in her 60's and she's going to want something with 4 doors, so I don't think a sports car will be in order; maybe a pickup/suv would work.

dem00n · 04-01-2013, 04:51 PM

Ford Focus.

ZetaVI · 04-01-2013, 05:06 PM

When it comes to mothers I always say go with a Honda Accord.

norsamerican · 04-01-2013, 05:15 PM

Toyota Avalon

Superhatch · 04-01-2013, 05:54 PM

In that price range you could find:

'03 Cadillac CTS
'06 Cobalt SS (4-door)
'06 Ford Fusion
'03 Acura RL
'03 Legacy Wagon
'04 Forester XT (STI longblock, aluminum hood/roof, 220hp)

Just some of the other options besides an Accord/Camry.

Edit: I'll add that the Caddys from that generation would fit her car profile, but would be a step up. They've got great owner satisfaction and very good reliability ratings.

Double Edit: AND you're from FL, which means low mileage version should be everywhere! :P

Deadspool · 04-01-2013, 06:00 PM

Allch Chcar · 04-01-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dem00n

Ford Focus.

My great grandmother has one and I'd recommend them to anyone. I've driven them and I hang out with people that own them. If I had qualified for Ford financing I would have bought one. For $8k you're probably looking at a 8-10 year old Toyota or Honda. I've seen 5-8 year old Foci for that much and they're almost as reliable. They carry the worst of Ford's reputation from years prior so resale value is typically poor.

'08-'11 is the Bastard American Generation but the basic design is solid. Probably just out of your price range anyway. The '05-'07 is the best of the first ones. They have the much better Duratec engine and the most passenger room. All bodystyles have the same engines from '05 on, excluding the '05 Focus ST which had a 2.3L Duratec. Avoid the first gens with the SOHC. They're prone to dropping valves.

whitejdm · 04-01-2013, 07:29 PM

When it comes to simple transportation for someone you love I would only consider a civic/corolla or accord/camry (depending on size requirements and brand).

briang0901 · 04-01-2013, 07:49 PM

FRS/BRZ

, I know you said 8k or less but, why not...

TylerLieberman · 04-01-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briang0901

FRS/BRZ

, I know you said 8k or less but, why not...

Because she's in her 60s and they said they want a larger 4 door vehicle...

I vote 2004-2007 Subaru Forester XT. Enough power for everyday use. large enough in size but not oversized. Decent gas mileage. AWD so it can be used year round if she lives in an area where they experience harsh weather from time to time.

briang0901 · 04-01-2013, 08:25 PM

was joking, sounds like you got it figured out tho!

OrbitalEllipses · 04-01-2013, 08:30 PM

Older Impala SS.

husker741 · 04-01-2013, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitejdm

When it comes to simple transportation for someone you love I would only consider a civic/corolla or accord/camry (depending on size requirements and brand).

I second this. Most reliable things for her.

neutron256 · 04-01-2013, 09:06 PM

Standard answer to this type of question... Honda Fit.

04-01-2013, 04:40 PM	#1
Mandy I came from a motorbike Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: Firestorm 2013 FR-S 6MT Location: FL, US Posts: 447 Thanks: 243 Thanked 390 Times in 124 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Help me choose a car for my mom. So I was talking to my mom about the FR-S, as I've had it for over a month now, and I was telling her about how much I love the car, but I don't think I would ever buy a new car again. I enjoy the hunt of finding a used car in good condition with low mileage, it's a challenge, but it feels more rewarding than strolling into a dealership and dropping some cash. Additionally, I've been dealing with all the honeymoon/heartache (scratches, dings, bird poo, dust, etc.), and as I'm very OCD when it comes to taking care of my cars, it's been taxing at times. Anyway, she's planning to retire from the army after over 30 years of service, and I thought it would be a nice gesture from my brother and I to get her a new(er) car. She's in her 60's, and we were thinking something in the $8k or lower range would make a nice retirement gift for her, as she'll be receiving her orders between August and September. He car history, as far as I can remember: '64 1/2 Mustang '83 BMW 320i '88 Chevy Impala '90 Chevy Caprice '03 Chevy Impala Guess when I was born! Anyway, Something like an '08 Impala seems like it would be a logical choice, but I'm open to other suggestions. If it had some basic tech like Bluetooth/Nav, I'm sure she would love that, but it's probably asking for too much in the price range. Again, she's in her 60's and she's going to want something with 4 doors, so I don't think a sports car will be in order; maybe a pickup/suv would work.

04-01-2013, 04:51 PM	#2
dem00n Member of the year - 2016 Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Scion FRS Location: New York Posts: 3,575 Thanks: 788 Thanked 2,427 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Ford Focus. __________________ Friends don't let friends Plastidip

04-01-2013, 05:15 PM	#4
norsamerican Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: WRB BRZ Location: Houston Posts: 539 Thanks: 101 Thanked 233 Times in 112 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Toyota Avalon __________________ Avant-Garde Wheels

04-01-2013, 05:54 PM	#5
Superhatch AIM4APX Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Limited Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,206 Thanks: 642 Thanked 749 Times in 324 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	In that price range you could find: '03 Cadillac CTS '06 Cobalt SS (4-door) '06 Ford Fusion '03 Acura RL '03 Legacy Wagon '04 Forester XT (STI longblock, aluminum hood/roof, 220hp) Just some of the other options besides an Accord/Camry. Edit: I'll add that the Caddys from that generation would fit her car profile, but would be a step up. They've got great owner satisfaction and very good reliability ratings. Double Edit: AND you're from FL, which means low mileage version should be everywhere! :P __________________ "It's very difficult to present technology as an overtly positive sales device to people who want an emotional car" -Chris Harris

04-01-2013, 09:06 PM	#14
neutron256 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: '13 GBS Subaru BRZ Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,030 Thanks: 680 Thanked 664 Times in 382 Posts Mentioned: 26 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Standard answer to this type of question... Honda Fit. __________________ -Fortes fortuna adiuvat (Fortune favors the bold)

04-01-2013, 05:06 PM	#3
ZetaVI Gundam Meister Join Date: Oct 2011 Drives: A Gundam Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 2,685 Thanks: 320 Thanked 1,010 Times in 510 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	When it comes to mothers I always say go with a Honda Accord.

04-01-2013, 06:00 PM	#6
Deadspool Much title. Wow. Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ Sport-Tech Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 716 Thanks: 118 Thanked 292 Times in 163 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)

04-01-2013, 07:29 PM	#8
whitejdm Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: BRZ prem. Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 250 Thanks: 20 Thanked 35 Times in 29 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	When it comes to simple transportation for someone you love I would only consider a civic/corolla or accord/camry (depending on size requirements and brand).

04-01-2013, 08:30 PM	#12
OrbitalEllipses Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Attitude Location: MD Posts: 10,046 Thanks: 884 Thanked 4,889 Times in 2,902 Posts Mentioned: 123 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Older Impala SS.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why did you choose the BRZ over the FRS?	chenshuo	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	371	08-08-2014 02:43 PM
Help me choose my next mod!	AllDayJonRay	NY / NJ / CT / PA	24	03-17-2013 06:23 PM
Why did you choose the BRZ?	pinoyplaya	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	43	10-10-2012 03:34 PM
YOU MUST CHOOSE # 1	Calais	Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions	9	08-14-2010 01:38 AM
YOU MUST CHOOSE # 2	Calais	Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions	16	07-22-2010 12:30 AM

User Name		Remember Me?
Password