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Duke
Duke MegaDork
7/11/24 1:10 p.m.

Sister (and her husband) are looking for a new-to-them used car.

Pretty much everything she asked me for is in the thread title, so I'll add a few of my own criteria from my observations of them and what they will want / need:

  • They are in their 70s
  • They buy used and keep their cars a looooong time
  • Reliability is key; they are not allergic to maintenance but will paying to have it taken care of
  • Automatic required, probably no CVTs
  • Hybrid is a plus, but not full electric
  • Can't be TOO boring - she used to drive a '68 GTO and then a 4-gen Camaro V8
  • Can't be TOO exciting - she tends to bump lightly into stuff
  • Should be somewhat fun to drive and interesting to look at
  • No larger than mid-compact size

So, what does The Hive suggest?

[edit]

  • Prefer > 2014
  • Prefer < 50,000 miles

 

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa MegaDork
7/11/24 1:15 p.m.
Duke said:
  • Can't be TOO exciting - she tends to bump lightly into stuff

 

Sorry, no help.  But... LOL.

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/11/24 1:19 p.m.

Toyota Avalon

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/11/24 1:20 p.m.

Or Venza

gearheadE30
gearheadE30 Dork
7/11/24 1:20 p.m.

2006ish BMW 330i. Last of the NA, decent 6 speed auto, price is right, delightful sounding engine. Can be had without iDrive and are still somewhat reliable.

I'm struggling to think of a slightly sexy hybrid 4 door. Maybe the CT200h or whatever that Lexus hatchback was? They look kind of cool. 

A lot of Infiniti sedans are remarkably cheap. A nice example of a G37S or Q-whatever they became is probably very attainable. 

Acura TL would probably be in the mix too. 

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia UberDork
7/11/24 1:23 p.m.

There was something on Internet that had a new 2024 Nissan base car with 5 speed for $20K, 

Maybe the warranty is worth the extra bucks.

Duke
Duke MegaDork
7/11/24 1:24 p.m.
dean1484 said:

Toyota Avalon

A little too big.  She's offloading a 2002 Toyota Solara.  One of the reasons is that it's a little too large for her garage.

How do we feel about Kia CVTs?

 

petemc53555
petemc53555 Reader
7/11/24 1:30 p.m.

Honda Fit

 Mazda 3

Prius

Duke
Duke MegaDork
7/11/24 1:35 p.m.

In reply to gearheadE30 :

Some solid suggestions there, though I wouldn't want recommend a BMW for her.

Is it only the FWD Nissan CVTs that are problematic?  Or are the Infinitis TC boxes?

Her bar for "sexy" is pretty low, but she doesn't want a plain vanilla penalty box.

 

Apexcarver
Apexcarver MegaDork
7/11/24 1:36 p.m.

Cadillac ATS?

 

11110000
11110000 Reader
7/11/24 1:40 p.m.
 
  • Can't be TOO exciting - she tends to bump lightly into stuff
  • Should be somewhat fun to drive and interesting to look at
  • No larger than mid-compact size

Why, the answer is obvious - Nissan Altima with installed donut spare option!

spandak
spandak Dork
7/11/24 1:41 p.m.

Mazda 3 fits nicely into this description. Geared auto, reliable, nice looking, modern interior, not too precious to hit the occasional shopping cart. 

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
7/11/24 1:43 p.m.

Used Genesis G70. 2.0 L turbo. Rear wheel drive sedan. 

Get one CPO and it comes with the big factory warranty.

Driven5
Driven5 PowerDork
7/11/24 1:49 p.m.

If 2014+ Mazda 3 (2.5L) is too small, 2014+ Mazda 6 (notably 'sexy' in Soul Red) would seem to tick all the boxes too.

Sonic
Sonic UberDork
7/11/24 1:56 p.m.

The nicest Lexus ES300 or Acura TL/TSX seems like a good fit here.  Nice, common, reliable, comfortable.  

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
7/11/24 1:56 p.m.

Coming off many years with a Toyota, the recent and always hybrid Venza is a nice car for a distinguised lady.  The fancier Rav4 or "near Lexus"

If smaller wanted look at the smallest Lexus SUV, the hybrid UX. 

 

Staying Solara-like, the former Lexus IS250c, the hard top, convertible, coupe. 

Duke
Duke MegaDork
7/11/24 2:11 p.m.
spandak said:

Mazda 3 fits nicely into this description. Geared auto, reliable, nice looking, modern interior, not too precious to hit the occasional shopping cart. 

That's kind of where I'm leading her.  You get a little more car for the money with the Forte, but the 3 ticks a bunch of boxes.  I do like the TC auto over a CVT.

 

BoulderG
BoulderG Reader
7/11/24 2:40 p.m.

Echoing Mazda, either the 3 or if they want something a bit bigger/more status, then the 6 sedan.

I'm a longtime Mazda denizen but they work well and do meet her criteria well.

Old_Town
Old_Town Reader
7/11/24 3:42 p.m.

'Interesting to look at' (and potentially easy to get in and out of...), how about cubes like a Kia Soul? 

Driven5
Driven5 PowerDork
7/11/24 5:42 p.m.
Duke said:

I do like the TC auto over a CVT.

The Skyactiv-Drive transmission was one of the first mass market automatics to do it the 'right' way, with a smaller TC and bigger TCC that basically only unlocks when stopped or changing gears. They drive great with no slush.

JimS
JimS Reader
7/11/24 5:56 p.m.

Acura TSX

Duke
Duke MegaDork
7/11/24 6:15 p.m.

In reply to JimS :

Having owned a first-gen TSX for 15 years, I would agree. However, they are looking to downsize a little from her current Solara, and I don't think an Acura in her budget is going to be new enough.

 

GTwannaB
GTwannaB GRM+ Memberand Dork
7/11/24 10:45 p.m.

Lexus CT 200h. Wasn't there another smaller Lexus hybrid sedan that was only made for a few years. Smaller than an ES. 

ddavidv
ddavidv UltimaDork
7/12/24 6:48 a.m.

Don't they just give you a Mercury Grand Marquis when you turn 70?

brandonsmash
brandonsmash GRM+ Memberand Reader
7/12/24 8:09 a.m.

Mazda, either 3 or 6. For sure. Definitely ticks the boxes, and Soul Red is fantastic. Also, they drive great.

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