Momma, you should drive this car
June 14, 2011 11:42 AM Subscribe
CarFilter: Help me help my mom buy a new used car.
Momma Snarl is in the market for a new-to-her car, and is having trouble settling on a model/trim level.
Specs/Limitations
-15-22k budget; my mom would like to keep the car for 10 years.
-Later model is preferable- an 09 or 10 would be ideal, and an 08 is on the table if it's "the right car."
-The car needs to ride a bit high. My mom is short (5'3) and finds that her current car, an 02 Ford Taurus, is a little low for her- she feels like she's looking "over the hood" at the road and doesn't have great visibility.
-My mom often takes my frail grandmother on adventures. My grandmother has a hard time getting out of the Taurus because it's so low, but had an easier time with a friend's Ford Freestyle, a Ford Focus wagon, and an 09 Taurus Limited that my mother test drove.
-My grandmother uses a wheelchair at times, and it would be very helpful if my mother could easily fit the folded wheelchair in the trunk/cargo space of the car. Hatchbacks are on the table, and I'm trying to talk my mom into considering a small SUV/crossover/wagon.
-My mom desperately, desperately wants leather seats. She's admitted several times that this is silly, but she wants it and my mom is a great lady and I'd like to hunt down some leather seats for her.
-She also likes wood-look trim on the interior, but I think what she primarily wants is something that feels luxurious/well-made. She has never had anything other than an economy sedan, aside from a Mercury Milan that lasted only a few short months before my brother had an unfortunate joyriding incident.
Cars Mom has enjoyed test-driving: Mercury Milan, 09 Taurus Limited (both sunk because they did not have leather seats; an 08 Taurus Limited was "nice but not perfect").
Cars Mom has enjoyed in the past: Olds 88. She still rhapsodizes about this car.
Cars I've suggested: Hyundai Azera (dismissed as too small), Chrysler 300 (on the table).
I think we are looking for a full-sized luxury-ish sedan or crossover (ie, BMWs are too expensive, mid-range lines are on the table), but I know jack about cars and would like suggestions. I've been clicking around edmunds.com and cars.com, but I would like some personal recommendations, and I've seen AskMe give great car-buying advice.
Momma Snarl is in the market for a new-to-her car, and is having trouble settling on a model/trim level.
Specs/Limitations
-15-22k budget; my mom would like to keep the car for 10 years.
-Later model is preferable- an 09 or 10 would be ideal, and an 08 is on the table if it's "the right car."
-The car needs to ride a bit high. My mom is short (5'3) and finds that her current car, an 02 Ford Taurus, is a little low for her- she feels like she's looking "over the hood" at the road and doesn't have great visibility.
-My mom often takes my frail grandmother on adventures. My grandmother has a hard time getting out of the Taurus because it's so low, but had an easier time with a friend's Ford Freestyle, a Ford Focus wagon, and an 09 Taurus Limited that my mother test drove.
-My grandmother uses a wheelchair at times, and it would be very helpful if my mother could easily fit the folded wheelchair in the trunk/cargo space of the car. Hatchbacks are on the table, and I'm trying to talk my mom into considering a small SUV/crossover/wagon.
-My mom desperately, desperately wants leather seats. She's admitted several times that this is silly, but she wants it and my mom is a great lady and I'd like to hunt down some leather seats for her.
-She also likes wood-look trim on the interior, but I think what she primarily wants is something that feels luxurious/well-made. She has never had anything other than an economy sedan, aside from a Mercury Milan that lasted only a few short months before my brother had an unfortunate joyriding incident.
Cars Mom has enjoyed test-driving: Mercury Milan, 09 Taurus Limited (both sunk because they did not have leather seats; an 08 Taurus Limited was "nice but not perfect").
Cars Mom has enjoyed in the past: Olds 88. She still rhapsodizes about this car.
Cars I've suggested: Hyundai Azera (dismissed as too small), Chrysler 300 (on the table).
I think we are looking for a full-sized luxury-ish sedan or crossover (ie, BMWs are too expensive, mid-range lines are on the table), but I know jack about cars and would like suggestions. I've been clicking around edmunds.com and cars.com, but I would like some personal recommendations, and I've seen AskMe give great car-buying advice.
Honda CRV. I think the higher trim levels offer leather.
posted by jon1270 at 11:57 AM on June 14, 2011
posted by jon1270 at 11:57 AM on June 14, 2011
i love my acura tsx. it's a 4 door family type sedan, not horribly low to the ground (my bf's audi wagon is lower than my car is), the trunk is HUGE, and it drives like a dream. excellent visibility, leather seats, it's well made and as long as you do the usual maintenance, it's got the whole honda reliability deal. my car new (in '04) was about $26,000 (iirc), so she can probably find a used one in excellent condition for what she wants in price range. i can fit three adults in my back seat with very little issue, and it's not uncomfortable for anyone (good leg room in the back). i chose the silver/techno looking package with mine, but i believe they do have a wood grain finish available.
my mother is 5'2" and has no issues getting in and out of it. in fact, she now wants one herself. she also used to own a delta 88 (which she adored. heh.)
they changed the body style in '08 (i think, may have been '09) and while i think the newer ones are kind of ugly, most people love them.
as far as small suvs, i have heard excellent things about the acura rdx as well. it's been out long enough now that there should be used ones floating around.
posted by koroshiya at 12:04 PM on June 14, 2011
my mother is 5'2" and has no issues getting in and out of it. in fact, she now wants one herself. she also used to own a delta 88 (which she adored. heh.)
they changed the body style in '08 (i think, may have been '09) and while i think the newer ones are kind of ugly, most people love them.
as far as small suvs, i have heard excellent things about the acura rdx as well. it's been out long enough now that there should be used ones floating around.
posted by koroshiya at 12:04 PM on June 14, 2011
"The car needs to ride a bit high. My mom is short (5'3) and finds that her current car, an 02 Ford Taurus, is a little low for her- she feels like she's looking "over the hood" at the road and doesn't have great visibility."
This particular complaint sounds more about the seat height than the suspension and frame, but I suspect her real complaint is that she wants to see through / over other cars, which leads to an arms race of short people in tall cars. Personally, I use a combination of caution (don't follow the SUVs so closely) and indirect evidence (shadows, lights, reflections).
I'm hardly a car nut, so I can only really talk about what I own: a Subaru Legacy. All Subarus come with AWD standard, which I really wanted. The Legacy is basically an Outback in 4 door family sedan form, and you can even find them with "Outback" offroad suspension should you desire. To your points:
- I think you can find a used one in your price range. Mine was at the top end of that brand new, msrp!
- The car is taller and rides higher than say a Corvette or other sports car, but I would assume it's comparable to most any sedan. If you absolutely must compensate for being ten inches shorter than me with three feet of truck, no sedan will do.
- The trunk is plenty spacious and should be able to fit a folded wheelchair; if it's a priority, don't feel embarrassed to test at a the dealership.
- There are higher trims with leather seats, and I don't know what it is about leather but it's like mandatory that you get wood trim to boot. There are nav computers available (pricey) and heated seats, and the newer ones also have bluetooth available. But I suspect you can't be too picky on options when buying used...
posted by pwnguin at 12:53 PM on June 14, 2011
This particular complaint sounds more about the seat height than the suspension and frame, but I suspect her real complaint is that she wants to see through / over other cars, which leads to an arms race of short people in tall cars. Personally, I use a combination of caution (don't follow the SUVs so closely) and indirect evidence (shadows, lights, reflections).
I'm hardly a car nut, so I can only really talk about what I own: a Subaru Legacy. All Subarus come with AWD standard, which I really wanted. The Legacy is basically an Outback in 4 door family sedan form, and you can even find them with "Outback" offroad suspension should you desire. To your points:
- I think you can find a used one in your price range. Mine was at the top end of that brand new, msrp!
- The car is taller and rides higher than say a Corvette or other sports car, but I would assume it's comparable to most any sedan. If you absolutely must compensate for being ten inches shorter than me with three feet of truck, no sedan will do.
- The trunk is plenty spacious and should be able to fit a folded wheelchair; if it's a priority, don't feel embarrassed to test at a the dealership.
- There are higher trims with leather seats, and I don't know what it is about leather but it's like mandatory that you get wood trim to boot. There are nav computers available (pricey) and heated seats, and the newer ones also have bluetooth available. But I suspect you can't be too picky on options when buying used...
posted by pwnguin at 12:53 PM on June 14, 2011
Best answer: I was thinking Subaru Forester, though the Legacy and the C-RV mentioned upthread are both good options.
But your mom's love for her Olds kept nagging at me. And by nagging at me, I mean making me think Buick. Which in turn reminded me that the 2010 Buick LaCrosse was a bit of a critical darling among the automotive press. It looks to be on the high side of her price range--particularly the top of the line CXS--but it might at least warrant a look. Good luck!
posted by willpie at 1:59 PM on June 14, 2011
But your mom's love for her Olds kept nagging at me. And by nagging at me, I mean making me think Buick. Which in turn reminded me that the 2010 Buick LaCrosse was a bit of a critical darling among the automotive press. It looks to be on the high side of her price range--particularly the top of the line CXS--but it might at least warrant a look. Good luck!
posted by willpie at 1:59 PM on June 14, 2011
You might have a difficult time finding a Honda CR-V in your price range with the model year constraint and the preference for leather seats, but you might have luck with a Hyundai Santa Fe. I did a quick search for a 2009 Santa Fe Limited (that's the trim level that includes leather seats) and found a few between $16,900 and $22,500.
posted by heathergirl at 2:23 PM on June 14, 2011
posted by heathergirl at 2:23 PM on June 14, 2011
Best answer: Leather seats can be very practical if she or your gradmother have a hard time getting into/out of cars, because it's much easier to slide across smooth leather than cloth. So she shouldn't be ashamed -- it's pure pragmatism!
I have relatives with similar constraints who love their CR-V.
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:14 PM on June 15, 2011
I have relatives with similar constraints who love their CR-V.
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:14 PM on June 15, 2011
Response by poster: So I hunted down a 2010 Buick LaCrosse for momma to look at, but the dealership sold it, like, eight hours before she got there. They did have a lovely Lincoln, which sent us down a rabbit hole of Lincolns/Fords, with a detour at Acuras/Hondas, before eventually settling on...the exact "not quite right" 08 Taurus she had already looked at.
But! It is a lovely car which she seems to love and my grandma can get in and out of it pretty well.
Thanks for the help, y'all.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 11:21 AM on June 29, 2011
But! It is a lovely car which she seems to love and my grandma can get in and out of it pretty well.
Thanks for the help, y'all.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 11:21 AM on June 29, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:48 AM on June 14, 2011