Car Help Needed

[TKGAngel]

I'm posting this at the request of my mother. She is looking to buy a new car this spring. She currently drives a Neon, and would have been more than happy to buy another Neon, except Dodge discontinued the brand. She is looking for something along the same size and concept as a Neon.

Since y'all are quite knowledgeable about cars and the auto marketplace what type(s) of cars would you recommend she seriously consider and/or ignore altogether?

Thanks!

[Spicoli]

http://www.maserati-indy.co.uk/alfieri100/mc12-0002.jpg

:D

[Methanolandbrats]

The Neon is a POS deathtrap, good thing mom is getting rid of it. Get her something safe: Golf, Civic, maybe Impreza.

[manic mechanic]

I'm posting this at the request of my mother. She is looking to buy a new car this spring. She currently drives a Neon, and would have been more than happy to buy another Neon, except Dodge discontinued the brand. She is looking for something along the same size and concept as a Neon.

Since y'all are quite knowledgeable about cars and the auto marketplace what type(s) of cars would you recommend she seriously consider and/or ignore altogether?

Thanks!

TKG,

Have your mom first shop car type...A compact like a Neon can be priced anywhere from $12-20k, while a step up (say, to an Altima or Mazda 6) might start at $16k and be more car for the money.

Good picks:

Ford Focus PZEV: Buy the 100k warranty and just go. Pretty solid and can be had fairly cheap

Nissan Altima Special Edition: For what you are spending, the build quality and preformance are a value..not bad looking either.

Mazda 6: This is a pretty nice car with an attractive pricetag. They drive well when pushed and with the right powertrain choices can be a real rocketship to play with.
The platform is so good that Ford swiped it for the Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, and Mercury Milan(?) series'. I haven't driven any of the blue oval derivatives yet (I'm a Ford Fleet wrench) but had a Mazda 6 to play with in San Jose. Very nice even at a lower trim level.

My suggestion is to talk to a few rental firms and see who has what in the style you are looking for. Drive as many of them she wants, then go shopping for the one she likes. The advantage to renting one for a weekend is that you get the car in "real world" conditions and get a chance to live with it for more than a dealer's 20 minute test drive. :thumbup:

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them.

manic

[Ankf00]

Focus, Civic, Jetta

[mapguy]

Ford Escort, accept no substitutes.

http://www.sellmycar.com/pictures/125490.jpg

[nrc]

The Ford Focus and Mazda 3 are probably the closest in concept and price. Either one would be a major step-up from a Neon in trim, ride and handling.

A base Mazda 6 with a 4 cylinder might fall into her price range if she had a heavily optioned Neon.

[racer2c]

I'm posting this at the request of my mother. She is looking to buy a new car this spring. She currently drives a Neon, and would have been more than happy to buy another Neon, except Dodge discontinued the brand. She is looking for something along the same size and concept as a Neon.

Since y'all are quite knowledgeable about cars and the auto marketplace what type(s) of cars would you recommend she seriously consider and/or ignore altogether?

Thanks!


Since when is the Neon discontinued? It's still listed on their website.

If she likes her Neon, she might feel at home in a PT Cruiser. Same engine, similar seating position although it's a little higher which she might like. Plus with the added utility it's more car than the neon. I one year old PT in 'like new' condition can be had to 10 to 12K. Cheaper than a show room Neon.

[Rob]

Since when is the Neon discontinued? It's still listed on their website.
The Neon is being replaced by the butt-ugly Dodge Caliber mini-sport ute/hatchback/whatever. It looks like the love child of a Dodge Magnum and a Pontiac Vibe.

[Gnam]

Scion xB
"They're boxy, but they're good." ;)

http://www.japaneserides.com/photos/xb6.jpg

[TedN]

When you decide on a model, check out a service like LeaseBusters (http://www.leasebusters.com/default.asp) . Does New York have a comparible service? You can get some good deals.

Ted