New Car DilemmaFollow

I don't often post here, mostly just lurk around in the shadows stealing people's doughnuts when they're not looking, but I have since found myself in a pickle.

My mom wants to buy me a new car and she is bound and determined to do so. HOORAY! Problem is, she wants to spend around 14k-ish and this doesn't leave a whole lot of options. She is also set on buying a Ford Focus. In the meantime, my husband (Hemphog/Phogg) and I want to start saving up for a nicer car (though we haven't really put anything away yet). Needless to say, the LAST car in the world I'd want is a Focus. I've asked her to gift $10k, as you can do so without paying taxes, so that we can apply it to a car that we actually want and purchase it in our name so we can start building better credit as well. That didn't fly.

I really don't want a Focus nor do I want to be paying insurance on a new car that I don't even like. But at the same time, I know I should be grateful and stfu. The hubby is also throwing up over the idea of a Focus.

aauhguhguhguhguhghguhguhugh

So, what relatively decent NEW car can I get for around $14k-15k? Any suggestions?

I'll take the free car and you can buy whatever you want and build credit.

EDIT: Actually since a new free focus is the last thing you'd want, let her buy it for you and I'll trade you straight up for my 1998 chevrolet cavalier. It only has 180k miles. This is a free upgrade for you.

Edited, Sep 6th 2006 at 3:23pm EDT by CrescentFresh

You arn't going to do much better than the focus anyway for 14-15k. Yeah you might want to look into maybe a honda civic or something like that...but they're all pretty much the same....all japanese built (yeah even the focus) Chevy has it's small line of asian built cars as well.
....

meanwhile ......GFYS... *ahem*.... ...(if nothing else take the free car and resell it).

Buy a Focus, then drive it to a dealership and trade it in. If you can't do so, then STFU and enjoy your free car.
Trust me:taxes are cheaper than insurance + premium gas.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was checking out the Corollas and the Civics as well - they're really nice looking as well as everything else. I have since decided to trade in my POS truck too, which will put those cars closer to the price range.

Anyone have anything bad to say about the Corolla, Civic or Focus?

EDIT:


Please get over yourself. I'm not looking for empathy, just trying to figure out what options I have.



Edited, Sep 6th 2006 at 3:37pm EDT by beeraga

I my Suzuki Aerio SX.

It's about in your price range, too. But then, hatchbacks aren't everyone's cup of tea.

I was thinking about the used car idea too and actually I prefer that, since you can get a much nicer car for the money. Oddly enough though, my mom wants it to be new. She's thinking this because she wants the car to have the waranty still on it. And she wants something reliable. The reason why she wants to do this in the first place is because we're planning on trying to have a kid very soon and a two-seater truck won't cut it. Oh yah, and it has to be a four door. :o)

EDIT:
Once again, thank you to those who actually have thoughtful ideas instead of just wasting everyone's time with nonsense.



Edited, Sep 6th 2006 at 3:45pm EDT by beeraga

If you buy a 2004-2005 used car from a brand name dealer you should be able to find one that may still have a warranty offer available on it.

No options to speak of included in the base price, and by this I mean A/C, CD player... However, the Sentra includes all of those and more. Even cheaper if you can drive a stick.

Kia.

Yah, thats the reason I want to stay away from the Focus... domestic cars scare me. But my mom's, how do I put this, hillbilly husband loves Ford so thats why she's pushing it so hard. Plus they have a Focus of their own, so I'm hearing left and right about what a good car it is.

I've never really been interested in fancy new cars actually. This will be my first. Something with air conditioning would nice though, especially when its 105 degrees + out, so I don't think that will be a problem. The whole family has heard me cry about not having air for about 8 years now. lol As long as I can get to point A to point B, I'm happy. And that its not a Focus. lol

I think I'll try for the a Corolla. Every Toyota my family has had (about 4) they've all lasted over 100k miles... I have yet to hear about a Focus doing that.

There's a point to driving automatic in small car? I h8 driving my parent's civics because they are automatic. They just don't respond when you need/want them to.

Granted, I don't live in a big city. If I was stuck in traffic often, I'd get an automatic too.

Automatic Transmission is Bob's way of telling you to wear a cardigan and live on Werther's Originals.

Get a Manual, or take the bus. A short one should do the trick.