I need your input on car buying please?

[sickfleming]

My mother, who is 56, is looking to buy another car to replace her 2003 Dodge Dakota (4.7L V8/Auto/quad cab). It's a great truck, but with 16 mpg average, it takes its toll when she has to drive from Mount Vernon, AR to Little Rock, AR (100 miles round trip) almost every day. Plus, it's getting a little old and tired.

I'd like to help her find a nice, reliable, comfortable, economical vehicle. My stepfather and I both work on cars but I'm living in Texas and he has a bad back and can't be working on it every waking hour :nono:

I mentioned a Festiva, and although she thinks that they're adorable, she had a bit of a hard time getting in and out of mine without practically rolling on the pavement, as she claims. So that's out. Plus, she is a caretaker for an adult male palsy patient and she needs something that won't involve a hassle putting him in the passenger seat.

So I suggested an older Escort wagon, an older Volvo wagon, a Camry, Protege, Altima, Accord and stuff like that as they're all good cars (she's wanted a station wagon since forever)

So, any other good cars I should look at or bad ones I should avoid?

She was considering this, but I told her to hold off for a sec. I don't really trust Korean cars, especially not Daewoo.

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/ctd/3076507727.html

Thanks guys!

[kellen302]

Festivas are Korean built...

[chrisofna]

Toyota Camry with a 2.2. Reliable, easy to work on, parts are everywhere (I'm assuming you will be working on it), comfortable. You regularly see them with 250K+ of them, and they get decent gas mileage.

[sickfleming]

Festivas are Korean assembled. Designed by Mazda using Mazda parts. Kia basically just wrenched the nuts.

Daewoo, Kia (other than the Festiva and parts of the Sephia), and Hyundai on the other hand use their own parts and designs. That's what I meant when I said I don't trust them.

[sickfleming]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Toyota 2.2L. However, a lot of people think that Camrys are worth their weight in gold. I can't tell you how many times my mom looked past ads because they have a 1996 Camry or Corolla with 285,000 miles for $4000. I told her to keep an eye out for one that's affordable. I told her that most Mazdas are just as good but cheaper.

I will be working on it whenever I come up there to visit. Unfortunately, I live 9 hours away from them. My stepdad is one of the best mechanics out there, but he has a bad back and can only work on them sparingly now.

[georgeb]

Toyota Corolla.

[windy1]

an escort wagon,or honda cicic hatch back. nothing fancy

[sickfleming]

Yeah, Corollas were definitely on my list. However, I think she might prefer something a little larger. I'll keep an eye out though. Sadly, the only wagons I can ever find on Little Rock's Craigslist are the 3rd gen Taurus wagons.

[Flw Sock]

Honestly, my friend just inherited a 2004 camry. I tell you, it will be 6pm and I'll be falling a sleep because it's so freaking comfortable. Nice leather, decent MPG even in the 6cyl, and quiet. For an older person car, I would definitely go with the camry.

[sickfleming]

I agree on the Escort wagon. The 1.9 CVH was a good engine. I don't see her going for a Civic hatchback. Nice suggestion though. Just like Flw Sock said, my mom is an older person who spends the most time on the highway. Her road noise/rough ride tolerance is not the same as it was 30 years ago when she owned that brand new '82 Corvette lol.

[georgeb]

Get something non-interference or with cam chain.

[FestYboy]

get a '03+ cavalier/cobalt OR a late 90s subaru 2.2sohc that has already had the head gaskets replaced.

[Movin]

A festy is much taller than even an aspire and your mom mentions rolling
on the ground to get in. You need a car with the seats farther off the
ground than most mentioned. To get a small economical car and have taller
seats it would have to be AWD or something boxy like the element. Look
for tall enough door openings, her client may be taller than her and need that
as older people do not fold up, duck or get down low with out stress and pain.
The first reason I lifted my festy so high is my handicapped wife finds it so
much easier to get into. Take a good look at a honda element and pick any
car with seat and door profiles like that.

[kellen302]

My 85yo Grandpa preferred my car because of the low seats (he's short and has a hard time getting up into our truck) and the wide doors. Maybe something like a Sidekick/Tracker would work.

[sickfleming]

Yes, my mom likes the Element and the Scion XB. Unfortunately I have a hard time finding them on craigslist and ebay around their area.
Oh yeah, and I forgot about the Tracker lol