The $25K Car Question

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

What new vehicle would you choose for a practical car at a $25k price point?

I welcome all input and opinions, whether they're particularly relevant to my situation or not, but I will lay out the scenario. My mother-in-law will most likely be shopping for a new vehicle in the next 6-12 months. Her current ride is a 2002 Lexus RX300 that was quite luxurious when new but is now looking and feeling rough, has a lot of miles, and needing regular repairs. She won't be shopping in that segment this time around; she'll need to keep it under or very close to $25k. Practicality is priority one, no two-doors etc. She has granddaughters to tote, after all. She does like the higher seating position of SUVs but is not ruling out a sedan.

Off the cuff, I want her to consider an Accord for the sedan side, and compare a Honda CR-V to a Mazda CX5 for the SUV side. I'd like her to drive an Accord to see what she thinks of a sedan. I think she can get a slightly better-equipped Accord for the money compared to an SUV. Between the SUVs, they're very similar but I prefer the styling of the Mazda; of course it will come down to what she prefers in the end.

What else would you cross-shop given those parameters?

 

[gunslingerdick]

Does it have to be a new car? I never buy new cars. I think it's such a waste. You can get certified pre-owned and that would open the door to a much larger inventory under $25,000.

If it has to be new, I got nothing to offer.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

I'm not convinced there's all that much difference in the choices between new and late-model, low-mileage certified pre-owned, but sure, slinger, feel free to go ahead and challenge the parameters in the very first reply.

Part of the goal is to keep the process simple and avoid overwhelming her with the decision, which is why we're primarily looking new. Also there are advantages in terms of financing, warranty, incentives, etc.

I'm partly looking for actual input to consider but also just like talking about cars. So what would you buy for $25k?

FWIW I've never bought a new car either, but then I've only bought three, and I've never had the coin to seriously consider a new one.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I'm not convinced there's all that much difference in the choices between new and late-model, low-mileage certified pre-owned, but sure, slinger, feel free to go ahead and challenge the parameters in the very first reply.

.

No need to get smartassy about it. It was legit question. Whatever. Tell her to hitchhike for all I care.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Lol well this is going well.

 

[TarHeelMark]

Well.... We did just get a 2015 model w/ 5k miles on it; certified pre-owned with all the remaining factory warranty for about $8000 less than a brand new model, so slingers got a valid point.

 

[UNC '92]

Yeah if 25k is the budget you would be limiting the potential value you are able to purchase if you don't consider pre-owned.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Ok so what would you buy or consider?

 

[UNC '92]

Ok so what would you buy or consider?

You can get a 2015 Infiniti Q50 with less than 20k miles for around 25k, excluding taxes and fees. The Lincoln MKS and MKZ are available for that too. I like lux sedans.

 

[jcolucci]

I was in similar spot a few months ago for daughter's college car and went with a CPO 2011 Mercedes GLK with about 25k miles on it. It's their small SUV....safe and reliable. No problems so far.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Hey @JuleZ '02 HEEL

Not gonna lie, all the replies on this thread suck so far. Tell her to go with a new Mazda 3 or 6. Done. Stylish looking, reliable, great MPG, very safe (I should know, I've seriously wrecked a Mazda 3 twice), and they'll last for as long as she lives unless she's driving from Wilmington to Chicago weekly or something crazy. And with your $25K, you'll be able to "soup up" the 3 or 6 as much as you want, adding all the bells and whistle she desires.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Thanks. And yeah, a Mazda 6 would be a good thing to compare with the Accord, if she decides a sedan will work. Nice looking cars and they get good reviews.

But umm... maybe you need to revisit some driving lessons?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Thanks. And yeah, a Mazda 6 would be a good thing to compare with the Accord, if she decides a sedan will work. Nice looking cars and they get good reviews.

But umm... maybe you need to revisit some driving lessons?

In my defense, I was drunk.









....which is of course, not a funny joke. Really though, one was when I was 18 and stupid, and the other was a freak accident in Southeast Georgia on I-16, aka THN11's Devil Highway.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Hey @JuleZ '02 HEEL

Not gonna lie, all the replies on this thread suck so far. Tell her to go with a new Mazda 3 or 6. Done. Stylish looking, reliable, great MPG, very safe (I should know, I've seriously wrecked a Mazda 3 twice), and they'll last for as long as she lives unless she's driving from Wilmington to Chicago weekly or something crazy. And with your $25K, you'll be able to "soup up" the 3 or 6 as much as you want, adding all the bells and whistle she desires.

I've got a 2013 Mazda 3i Grand Touring Hatchback and I absolutely love it. I got the manual transmission because I wanted a bit of sport. It's not powerful (2.0L Skyactive,) but very "spirited." I get great gas mileage. Mixed, I'm getting 35-36. Driving from NC foothills to WV, I got 42ish and 600 miles on one tank. Going to Kiawah, I got about 40-41. When my wife is ready to trade in her Volvo, I hope she'll consider the CX-5 mentioned before. I did get mine used. One of the coolest things I did was swap out all the interior bulbs (and license plate bulb) with LEDs. It looks so much better that way. Cost me less than $20 and maybe 20-30 minutes.

I'm glad to hear it can take a crash too. It's a lightweight vehicle. May not have the "substantialness" she'd want when driving among semis. Only thing I don't like are the tires that were on it. I don't know if they were stock (I'm approaching 50K miles) but they are a little noisy on the highway.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I'm glad to hear it can take a crash too. It's a lightweight vehicle. May not have the "substantialness" she'd want when driving among semis. Only thing I don't like are the tires that were on it. I don't know if they were stock (I'm approaching 50K miles) but they are a little noisy on the highway.

Oh trust me, it can take a crash. I fishtailed off the interstate, down an embankment, and slammed passenger-side-first flush against a metal divider guardrail going about ~40 MPH and all that happened was my front end was shifted pretty darn bad (especially the headlights) and obviously the alignment was jacked up big time. Other than that, it was completely fine.

 

[TarHeelMark]

Well, since we're on to Mazda's... just got one for the wifey - found a 2015 Miata w/ only 5k miles on it. Still has the new car smell. It's a fun little car to drive.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Holden Thorp in the South Building parking lot loller.

 

[Raising Heel]

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Miatas are definitely fun to drive; I have a (vertically challenged) relative who has owned several. The styling of the new generation is a huge improvement, IMO.

I'm 5'9" and have to put the seat all the way back. I don't see how anyone over 6 feet could work the clutch without hitting their knee on the steering wheel. Such a strange feeling to be able to reach around the windshield and touch the headlight (or close, depending on which generation).

 

[UNCWayno]

Do you know why you never see older model Mazdas? It's because there aren't any. Terrible cars. I would never consider one.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Do you know why you never see older model Mazdas? It's because there aren't any. Terrible cars. I would never consider one.

I guess I'm imagining when I see early 90s Mazda RX7s on a pretty regular basis?

Let me guess. You only buy American.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Do you know why you never see older model Mazdas? It's because there aren't any. Terrible cars. I would never consider one.

A) That's interesting, as I've known several people who have or have had older Mazdas that were still ticking along well into double digit years and six figure mileage. And I see a LOT of first-gen Mazda3 still on the road, many of them still looking pretty good. They appear to me to have aged better than the Civics and Corollas of the same vintage.
B) I think Mazda has improved by leaps and bounds in the last decade or so in terms of competing with Honda and Toyota on quality, styling, and general value. I guess the impact of that improvement on long-term reliability may not be seen for a few more years, but I don't see them as inferior to their direct competitors.

But then I've had a soft spot for Mazda ever since the FD-generation RX7 came out when I was a teenager.

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Do you know why you never see older model Mazdas? It's because there aren't any. Terrible cars. I would never consider one.

I can only speak to the first 50,000 miles and I've had absolutely no problems. We'll see how the next 50 goes. Then the next and the next.

I will note that I am 5'7" 145 lbs. and am very comfortable in it. I've got a 6'3 /220 friend who was in the passenger seat. He did not look so comfortable, though the seats do back up quite far.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Mazdas actually get high marks from Consumer reports. They are good cars.
http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/...015-include-lexus-mazda-and-toyota-1.10387053

But as far as the Miata - my gosh, no! Aside from it being the gheyest car ever produced, it's only made for very small and dainty ghey people. It's awful. If you own one, go sell it right now and maybe, just maybe you can come back from that. If you keep it, I can't help you.

 

[tarheel0910]

Mazdas actually get high marks from Consumer reports. They are good cars.
http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/...015-include-lexus-mazda-and-toyota-1.10387053

But as far as the Miata - my gosh, no! Aside from it being the gheyest car ever produced, it's only made for very small and dainty ghey people. It's awful. If you own one, go sell it right now and maybe, just maybe you can come back from that. If you keep it, I can't help you.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Well you guys sent me down the rabbit hole of looking at what used/certified cars are available locally. It's too soon, and a little too much, but pretty sweet for $26k with 16k miles.

 

[TarHeelMark]

Mazdas actually get high marks from Consumer reports. They are good cars.
http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/...015-include-lexus-mazda-and-toyota-1.10387053

But as far as the Miata - my gosh, no! Aside from it being the gheyest car ever produced, it's only made for very small and dainty ghey people. It's awful. If you own one, go sell it right now and maybe, just maybe you can come back from that. If you keep it, I can't help you.

Well, it's the wife's car and she's happy. So it's working out pretty good for me if you know what I mean.

 

[UNC '92]

Well you guys sent me down the rabbit hole of looking at what used/certified cars are available locally. It's too soon, and a little too much, but pretty sweet for $26k with 16k miles.

Yeah that's likely going to beat the crap out of a Mazda.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Yeah that's likely going to beat the crap out of a Mazda.

Yeah, but in the end, probably not the smart move. Little or no warranty left and expensive to repair.

 

[UNC '92]

Yeah, but in the end, probably not the smart move. Little or no warranty left and expensive to repair.

If budget is tight it isn't the ride for her. Have you looked at the Optimas?

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Not really, other than I like the look. Any experience with them?

 

[UNC '92]

Not really, other than I like the look. Any experience with them?

Other than riding in one a co-worker recently bought, no. His is loaded up pretty well and it rode fine. He has the backup camera, which I think confuses old people. And his Nav system and console looks nice. It's Kia, so you get a big warranty. As far as the mechanical and track record, I got nothing.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

On a side note, after looking through the inventories at local dealerships, when did people stop buying cars in COLORS? They are literally ALL black, white, and gray, with a couple (generally subtle) blues sprinkled in. There is NOTHING that pops.

I read recently where something like 80% of new cars sold in the U.S. are somewhere on the grayscale spectrum (black/white/gray).

I love a black car as much as anyone; when it's all shined up nothing looks more badass. But come on, have a little personality, people!

 

[gunslingerdick]

Saw this in the Wilmington, NC area. Came up with a google search "for sale under $25k". You might be in luck.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I love a black car as much as anyone; when it's all shined up nothing looks more badass. But come on, have a little personality, people!

I don't think I'll buy a car for the rest of my life that isn't black, white or silver.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

I don't think I'll buy a car for the rest of my life that isn't black, white or silver.

Booooooring...

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Saw this in the Wilmington, NC area. Came up with a google search "for sale under $25k". You might be in luck.

She did say she likes a high seating position.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Things younger folk never think of.

Getting in and out of regular cars can be a bit taxing for older folk. Out joints-bones just don't co-operate getting low to the ground like that.

SUVs are a dream for us!

JuleZ, go take her for a ride in a Kia Soul+. Much roomier than they look even when riding in the back seat and a dream to drive. Wife got her one in 2011 and she LOVES it. Well under your $25K.

Honda's CRV is a good one too but not sure you can stay under the $25K.

 

[UNCWayno]

I guess I'm imagining when I see early 90s Mazda RX7s on a pretty regular basis?

Let me guess. You only buy American.

Not hardly. I currently drive an SL500 but have owned two other Mercedes, two Volkswagens and nine Nissans. Four of the Nissans were Z cars which I loved. And I haven't seen an RX7 in fifteen years at least.

 

[gunslingerdick]

Booooooring...

Hopefully. I don't buy cars so people will look at me. In fact, the more stealth-like I can operate, the better. I want to blend in as much as possible. Cars that call attention are the ones that get tickets...and DUIs...and just generally fu*ked with. I'll take boring all day, everyday.