New Car for Mommy. Suggestions?

[1996 328ti]

This is racerchick's thread.

[bmwracerchick]

wow this thread went a little over lol.

Thanks for the other car suggestions guys I am going to look into them now that I am back home for the night. My boyfriend and I went to the mazda dealership because I wanted to look at the cars in person. The wagons would be perfect for her and it would be a comfortable ride for my mom and dad to fit into. My mom doesnt believe in modding cars...thats why nothing has been done of my car really, I finally braved it showing her my headlights tonight so she can see what xenons look like, she thought halogens were the best on the market lol. Anyways, I would love her to go European, but the price range is too much. She would love to have a GTI but its just too small, and the reason she wants a hatch or a wagon is so she can fold down the seats for more cargo room, she is tired of the sedan look of my old lumina that she currently drives. I would love for her to have the Mazdaspeed3 268hp and its the wagon, but it only comes in manual and she doesnt want to deal with that here with all the traffic (I dont blame here thats why I have a auto) Then I looked and sat in the CX7 of course only one was open...typical but it was 11 at night lol. I think that would be a good choice, turbo charged little SUV and it was very roomy and comfortable to sit in. The tag price was 29,000 for the fully loaded so that might be pushing it for her. I honestly wouldnt mind getting my hands on the mazdaspeed6 omg that car is nice looking.

The other thing im going to try to convince her to look at is the VW passat, she is convinced it isnt roomy but she hasnt sat in the new ones. would be nice if I could talk her more so into the GTI or the Rabbit especially since her first car was a Rabbit lol.

Thanks guys for the advice, like I said I will look into the suggested cars and see what would work out for her in her favor.

Does anyone know the reliablility and maintance charges a mazda typically goes through?

[pnosker]

Well I have some bad news for you. The Mazda 3 shares the platform with the european Ford Focus (same body, powertrain (for the most part), etc.) as well as the Volvo C30, V50, V70 Coupe/conv., and the Mazda 5. This platform is called the Ford C1 platform, and cars based off of it have been the most recalled car in history according to Jeremy Clarkson, host of UK Car show "Top Gear."

My friend has the 268hp Mazdaspeed 3 and it torque steers like mad when reved high. I'm not sure whether your mom will do that or not, but I can tell you it's not exactly fun to accelerate for 0-60 times.

[bmwracerchick]

Originally Posted by pnosker

Well I have some bad news for you. The Mazda 3 shares the platform with the european Ford Focus (same body, powertrain (for the most part), etc.) as well as the Volvo C30, V50, V70 Coupe/conv., and the Mazda 5. This platform is called the Ford C1 platform, and cars based off of it have been the most recalled car in history according to Jeremy Clarkson, host of UK Car show "Top Gear."

My friend has the 268hp Mazdaspeed 3 and it torque steers like mad when reved high. I'm not sure whether your mom will do that or not, but I can tell you it's not exactly fun to accelerate for 0-60 times.

Wow thanks for the info I had no idea it was built off the ford focus platform, well sharing it anyways. I personally like the mazda6 more, it has more power and looks a little meaner to me. I could always have her wait for the cx-9 make her save up for that one, it seems nice and a stronger engine, but we shall see. Thanks again for the information!

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by bmwracerchick

Does anyone know the reliablility and maintance charges a mazda typically goes through?

I had +225K miles on my 1990 MX6 and the only reason I got rid of it was it wouldn't pass emissions. I hear nothing good bout VWs.

[Mad-Machine]

While this might venture off of your list so far. I found that Hyundai makes some very reliable cars. If she is looking at the Mazda mini-ute, she might want to look into the Hyundai Sante Fe and Tucson. Right now Hyundai is in the top three with Toyota and Honda for reliability

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by 1996Bmw318TI

And why not the other 2? It would be 25k or less.

Beacus e it wouldn't be a new car and it's too much work and money. Maybee if she is a car fanatic and loves power but i really don't think she is.

[Travis]

OK don't laugh... Really, I mean it.

Black Malibu Maxx.

I SAID DON'T LAUGH. I saw one on I-55 going North out of Bloomington the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and (in black) it was a good looking car.

We just sold a 00 Passat wagon (GLX 4-motion). Nice, Nice car.

The Jetta wagon looks better than the sedan.

[bmwracerchick]

Originally Posted by Travis

OK don't laugh... Really, I mean it.

Black Malibu Maxx.

I SAID DON'T LAUGH. I saw one on I-55 going North out of Bloomington the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and (in black) it was a good looking car.

We just sold a 00 Passat wagon (GLX 4-motion). Nice, Nice car.

The Jetta wagon looks better than the sedan.

The malibu Maxx isnt a bad looking car but it is soooo tiny inside its unbelievable lol.

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by bmwracerchick

The tag price was 29,000 for the fully loaded

If you pay the full tag price, that's your own dang fault for not trying to get them to come down. LOL Seriously though... if that's the car she wants, don't be afraid to make them an offer. There are lots of ways of legit getting the price down.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

I had +225K miles on my 1990 MX6 and the only reason I got rid of it was it wouldn't pass emissions. I hear nothing good bout VWs.

They have really cool ads?


Niki, what is your mother's car buying strategy? Do you lease the full term then buy, go lease to lease, or pay outright in cash and diamonds?

My suggestion for getting a higher priced car at the price you want is to find a monthly payment you can live with, and shop it around to the dealers in your area. Do anything to avoid haggling (e.g. say "thanks" and leave), and they'll do anything to try and reach your price (when they try and pull you back, leave a phone number).

[96cali]

Originally Posted by Mad-Machine

While this might venture off of your list so far. I found that Hyundai makes some very reliable cars. If she is looking at the Mazda mini-ute, she might want to look into the Hyundai Sante Fe and Tucson. Right now Hyundai is in the top three with Toyota and Honda for reliability

I believe that is the JD Power survay which only covers the first year. Promising but still a gamble IMO.

1. Your mom could get a really nice e46 325it wagon even CPO for $25k. They ride very nicely and are a decent deal. E46 prices in general are falling with the e90 readily available.
2. Mazda continues to impress the heck out of me. So far it is the only japanese car that gets the "feeling" right. The 6 wagon is a good choice, probably more luxurious than the 3. Mazdaspeed options are prolly overkill for mumsies.
3. Have you driven a Chevy HHR? I rented one for a long drive and was very impressed. Not sure what colors she's into but mine was black on black and it looked sharp. Lots of power from the 4cyl even loaded up. Decked out and new MSRP is around $23k. Give it a look and tell me your take.
4. Saab(GM) also offers wagons and Volvo(Ford) too.

[Mad-Machine]

if you want to bring up saab.. you can pick up the "saabaru" 9-2X for cheap money new. They did not sell well and now that the plug has been pulled, any left on the lots are deeply discounted

[mohaughn]

Originally Posted by 96cali

I believe that is the JD Power survay which only covers the first year. Promising but still a gamble IMO.

Given that the Hyundai has a standard 10year/100k mile warranty I don't think there is really a better deal out there in terms of initial quality, cost, and long term maintenance costs.

Does anyone know the reliablility and maintance charges a mazda typically goes through?

If it is a rotary mazda engine it is expensive to maintain. A normal mazda probably runs between the cost of a domestic car and your standard cost of ownership on an import. A lot of parts on the mazda are shared with Ford so some of the parts can be really inexpensive.

[Travis]

American:
She might like the Malibu Max(x?) in black, but FWD.

Wierd:
The Saab version of the Impreza (9-2X) has sort of a grown-up interior and is less ugly than the subie.

Big, Nice Interior, AWD
Audi Allroad, Audi A6, Passat GLX 4-motion

Small, Nice Interior, FWD
Jetta wagon

Great all-rounders:
2002, 2003, 2004 E-46 325i wagon
2002, 2003 6-cyl 5-series wagon

The Audi and Mercedes Stubby wagons are also cool.

My Mom likes the Xb, Element, and the Honda step-wagon concept.