Any new car suggestions?

"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart)
02/06/2015 at 21:23 • Filed to: None

My godmother wants a new car to replace her beige '03 Corolla, and she does not know what to replace it with. My godfather doesn't want her to replace it because there's a lack of worthwhile vehicles in the segment that fit them. A few years ago, he replaced his '96 Tercel with a '09 Yaris, because it rotted out.

They both find the most common cars in the segment, notably the new Civic and Corolla, ugly, and the cars they consider cool are too big for them, the car my godfather would buy, based on mechanicals, it would be a Subaru, if they offered a car that fit. Naturally, I suggested Mazda 3 (and hinted VW as well) and my godfather said he'll check one out on his next business trip rental, He hasn't liked the Elantra due to rear visibility issues, and the Cruze was too cramped based on his previous rentals.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Just for trouble of reading this, have a rally 'rolla from down under.

DISCUSSION (23)

scoob > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:28

Early-mid 2000's (read: pre-hideous) Acura TL/TLX? They're not new but...

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > scoob
02/06/2015 at 21:29

It has to be new-ish. Not sure if they want to get a car about the same age as the one they're replacing.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:30

Dodge Dart?

lone_liberal > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:31

Maybe a Focus? They would be in the same size category as a Civic.

Funktheduck > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:32

2015 Mazda3 owner here.

If they're gonna buy a new Mazda3 the best would be the touring trim. It gets the back up camera standard in 2015, not the 2014. I have the hatchback and I'm not sure how I would do without the camera. It has really poor visibility out back. Otherwise I love the car. The ride is more firm compared to some others in its class but it's better in every other metric. The gas mileage is awesome. Let me know if you have any questions.

kincai28 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:33

Fiesta!

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Funktheduck
02/06/2015 at 21:39

They're a bit concerned over rear visibility, But I'll check it out.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > lone_liberal
02/06/2015 at 21:44

Good one. I thought of that.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > kincai28
02/06/2015 at 21:44

Maybe.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/06/2015 at 21:45

Another one I thought of too, would the 'young driver' stigma this has be an issue?

ranwhenparked > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:45

What about the Dart? It's the biggest compact car on the market, so interior space shouldn't be a problem, and the styling is pretty inoffensive and also unlikely to age too quickly if they plan on keeping for a long time.

If she is concerned about too dramatic a change from her old Corolla, the Lancer has been on sale since 2006 as a 2007 model and was designed originally as a competitor to the '03 era Corolla, so its like being able to buy a decade old car brand-new in 2015.

Funktheduck > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:47

safest in its class too

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > ranwhenparked
02/06/2015 at 21:48

Both are strong choices, I'll let her know.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:49

I don't see why it would be, I think most compact sedans have a "young driver" stigma to them.

Just don't get a GT they ride like the shocks are solid apparently. An SXT or Limited are good choices.

deekster_caddy > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:53

If the Cruze is too small, Malibu?

They think about leasing? Leasing at this point is probably not a horrible idea for them. They just need to write in that if they have a change in medical status that they can terminate the lease early... that way they don't have to put out for the full value of the car. Since it will always be under warranty, you can consider a 'less reliable' brand if they have those concerns.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > deekster_caddy
02/06/2015 at 21:55

they're the kind of people that like to hold on to their cars, not sure if a lease would be best.

deekster_caddy > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 21:58

They had the Corolla 12 years. Ask what the total cost of ownership was over those years. Include everything but gas and divide by 144. It's worth doing the math before ruling out a lease. The other nice thing about leasing is that since you are always driving something new, you get better and better safety equipment. (based on other Corollas I know it's not going to be much, but it's still an interesting number to run)

A friend of mine did this on his '05 Nissan Murano and figured out that over 10 years he spent the exact same money as if he had been making a lease payment the entire time.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > deekster_caddy
02/06/2015 at 22:01

I'll keep that in mind.

dogisbadob > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/06/2015 at 22:12

How about a 2 or Yaris? In particular, you can get a new 2 for like 12-13k according to TrueCar.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > dogisbadob
02/06/2015 at 22:22

They already have a Yaris in the household, not sure if they want another, still a good suggestion though.

Jimmy Tango > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/07/2015 at 01:55

Lease a bimmer, entry level but with proper option.

I know X1 is having amazing residual right now, where do you live?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Jimmy Tango
02/07/2015 at 02:41

Canada. Cheapest car on sale is the micra.

Jimmy Tango > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/07/2015 at 12:43

ah, I see. I know little to known about how Canada market works, best of luck finding your folks a good ride!