Need some help with a new vehicle for a friend...

[Hopman]

Alright guys, think back about a month ago when I asked for prayers for a friend who has since passed away.

His widow is also a good friend of mine and she's looking to sell his old truck (a 2003 Chevy Silverado 4x4 extended cab) and her car (a '95 Mercury Grand Marquis) because she doesn't need a pickup and the Merc is a tad to big for just hauling her and the dog (a nine month old Golden Retriever pup).

She called me to ask some advice because I'm not only a friend, but a gearhead as well.

I tried to convince her to think about a Ranger, but she said that if she needed a truck, she'd keep the Chevy.

Here are her wishes:
1. something that's good in the snow (she'd REALLY like a part-time 4x4 system, but would think about FT AWD or just FWD)
2. needs to have four doors & a hatchback of some sort, a small wagon would be nice
3. easy to get into and out of (she's in her early 70's, but still pretty spry)
4. inexpensive to buy, maintain & insure.
5. good on gas, she's frugle, but not anywhere close to a tightwad.
6. It's gotta be safe, but she doesn't want something that feels like it will crumple and be totaled at the slightest parking lot ding.

She did tell me that the first car she bought on her own and spec'd out was a '70 Mercury Couger XR7 (big-block & a Hurst-shifted 4-speed top loader!), but her first car was an early Mustang.

Any ideas to help here on her way?

 

[nitrofan1]

Subaru Forester. My wife has an 04 and it's been bullet proof. Top rated, safe (she hit a deer going 40 and was repaired) plus really good MPG and AWD.

 

[Hopman]

I forgot one thing: She's not a big fan of Subies. She thinks they feel cramped. I already siggested an Outback to her.

 

[Crunch2690]

Subaru Forester. My wife has an 04 and it's been bullet proof. Top rated, safe (she hit a deer going 40 and was repaired) plus really good MPG and AWD.

I agree with this.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

explorer?

 

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

Ford escape / jeep Liberty

 

[Hopman]

explorer?

She says that it's too big for her needs.

Ford escape / jeep Liberty

That's more what I was thinking. Especially the Liberty because of the P/T 4WD.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

the 4x4 escape should work too.
and its slightly smaller than a liberty.
and better on mileage i guess

 

[derekj]

Honda Element. No need to post any more choices

Derek

 

[kunar]

mazda 3 or a protege5

 

[Spitfire1975]

Look for a really nice, old school Toyota Corolla (Camry??) AWD Wagon. Cheap to buy and insure, bullet proof, in the days of working accelerators but maybe to much like a Subaru?

 

[Epixstar]

escape for sure even the 2wd models are good with there fancy front wheel drive

 

[strvger]

after having owned 8 Subaru's in the past, i'm really very happy with my new Kia Sportage. mine has the 4 cyl, 5 spd. and i'm sure she'd want the auto shift. best thing is it is front wheel drive till you push the button that locks in the rear axle. really good on gas, not too big, 4 doors, rear hatch, all the amenities, and most important, lots of room for the dog! just my $.02.

 

[darkspork]

What about the Honda Fit? They are pretty nice cars.

 

[koda6966]

Selling both those vehicles she could probably afford a newer forester, if she tried one out she would see that they have alot more room than the older ones.