Misfortune strikes again (parents need a new car) ... NEW CAR'S HERE!

[Vinsanity]

So last week, my parents got into what I'd call a moderate accident. Long story short; a Mazda MPV ran a red light across a 6-lane intersection, a late-model Corolla broad-sides it, and spins right into the front corner of my dad's Mitsubishi.

Here are some pics my mom took with her camera phone.


Mazda MPV toppled onto its side


The two cars affected by the red light bandit.

Thankfully, my parents are ok, since the impact wasn't that hard (not hard enough to deploy the airbags). But surprisingly it still caused enough damage to total the car. Apparently, Mitsubishi Diamante parts are in short supply. Maybe platform sharing isn't all bad. Anyways, at least they're fine, and they get a cool little Mazda 3 rental to zip around in. Nonetheless, they want to stick with the plus-size midsizer segment. Here are the ones in the top running:


$14,000 / 15k miles


$16,000 / 22k miles


$14,300 / 56k miles

Obvious choice would be an Avalon, but the deals aren't quite as compelling. Any other suggestions?

[TBR]

Please tell me that isn't the specific Sonata they're looking at.

[Laconian]

Why, what's wrong with it? Is the price too high?

[the Teuton]

I object to the Kia on principle because it has no resale value.  Don't let them unless they are Buick people.

I like that Volvo, but I hear parts are expensive.

[Vinsanity]

Please tell me that isn't the specific Sonata they're looking at.

LOL maybe they can ask the dealer to swap out the stunna rimz for regular wheels. Might even be cheaper that way. If not, then my parents won't care either way, anyways. They had 3 wheel covers missing from the Mitsu, for God's sake.

btw, it's an Azera.

[TBR]

LOL maybe they can ask the dealer to swap out the stunna rimz for regular wheels. Might even be cheaper that way. If not, then my parents won't care either way, anyways. They had 3 wheel covers missing from the Mitsu, for God's sake.

btw, it's an Azera.

I couldn't stand to look at it long enough to actually identify what car it was.

[Vinsanity]

I object to the Kia on principle because it has no resale value.  Don't let them unless they are Buick people.

I like that Volvo, but I hear parts are expensive.

Buick...interesting idea.


$14,000 / 28k miles

I don't know why, but my dad's more interested in the Hyundai and Kia. Which is weird, because by definition, their preference would make them Buick people

[the Teuton]

Azeras and Lucernes both rock, imo.

[ifcar]

I object to the Kia on principle because it has no resale value. 

When you're buying used, low resale value is a positive, not a negative.


The Amanti and Azera are strong comfort-focused large sedans at good prices; they might also want to look at the Ford Five Hundred / 2008 Taurus.

[2o6]

On Styling, I'd take the Azera. The S80 you can find as a Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego (which should also be in the running)


The Lucerne and The Amanti are good cars. Would an Oldsmobile Aurora be too old?

[the Teuton]

When you're buying used, low resale value is a positive, not a negative.

Not when you're paying $15,000 for the car.

[2o6]

Not when you're paying $15,000 for the car.

$15K isn't a lot. Unless you're buying and selling your car every year, then who cares about resale value.

[the Teuton]

$15K isn't a lot. Unless you're buying and selling your car every year, then who cares about resale value.

Here's a really quick search, but assuming the car was $27,000 in 2004, then there is one on here that has lost 67% of its value in 4 years.  I have seen some selling for $5-6k or so.  The car is a financial Exxon Valdez.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=25&address=15213&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=KIA&model=AMANTI&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2009&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

[2o6]

Here's a really quick search, but assuming the car was $27,000 in 2004, then there is one on here that has lost 67% of its value in 4 years.  I have seen some selling for $5-6k or so.  The car is a financial Exxon Valdez.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=25&address=15213&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=KIA&model=AMANTI&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2009&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

On an unrelated note......my parents are looking for another Car to replace their Grand Voyager......I'll tell them to keep the Amanti in their mind.

[the Teuton]

On an unrelated note......my parents are looking for another Car to replace their Grand Voyager......I'll tell them to keep the Amanti in their mind.

It's not a bad choice after all of the value has been sucked out of it, but buying one that is a year or two old is a disaster.

[S204STi]

Volvo S80.

/thread

[SVT666]

Azera.  Volvos are expensive to repair once the warranty is done.

[2o6]

Volvo S80.

/thread

The Five Hundred is on the same platform and is generally easier/cheaper to fix.


Is a Deville or DTS too floaty? Maybe an Older FWD STS/Seville?

[S204STi]

Then why is it on your fucking list?  Don't you research that shit before looking for a car?

Get the Sonata then, it's got decent quality and looks.  The Kia looks like a POS.

[2o6]

Then why is it on your fucking list?  Don't you research that shit before looking for a car?

Get the Sonata then, it's got decent quality and looks.  The Kia looks like a POS.

That's an AZERA. Besides, Vinsanity still has the Kia Amanti on it's list. People rather like the Amanti.....it's just a bit of a copy cat as far as styling is concerned. If you were looking for a car to keep for awhile (I.E not concerned with resale value) the Amanti would be a good choice.

[Vinsanity]

Then why is it on your fucking list?  Don't you research that shit before looking for a car?

Get the Sonata then, it's got decent quality and looks.  The Kia looks like a POS.

I didn't mention anything regarding the Ford vs. Volvo. My parents are indifferent to the Taurus/500 but I have yet to tell them its engineering is sourced from the S80. Maybe that would open them up to it.

[Vinsanity]

Would an Oldsmobile Aurora be too old?

Yes. At that age, they'd be looking at a Lexus ES.

Is a Deville or DTS too floaty? Maybe an Older FWD STS/Seville?

Maybe. I'll give that a shot too.

[ifcar]

Here's a really quick search, but assuming the car was $27,000 in 2004, then there is one on here that has lost 67% of its value in 4 years.  I have seen some selling for $5-6k or so.  The car is a financial Exxon Valdez.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=25&address=15213&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=KIA&model=AMANTI&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2009&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

But it was never $27,000, except maybe at sticker. Loaded Amantis were out the door in the low $20ks. It's not a loss of resale value if the first buyer pocketed the savings himself.

[S204STi]

That's an AZERA. Besides, Vinsanity still has the Kia Amanti on it's list. People rather like the Amanti.....it's just a bit of a copy cat as far as styling is concerned. If you were looking for a car to keep for awhile (I.E not concerned with resale value) the Amanti would be a good choice.

I see a Kia Amanti, a Sonata, and a S80 in the OP, not an Azera.  Not sure why you're bringing it up.

[Vinsanity]

I see a Kia Amanti, a Sonata, and a S80 in the OP, not an Azera.  Not sure why you're bringing it up.

The blue stunna ride is an Azera.
(hint: the pics link to autotrader listings)

[Cookie Monster]

I rode in an Amanti once. It was super quiet. I thought it was eerie but if that's what your parents are looking for then it'd be a good car for them.

The quality inside looked good too, but the dashboard was pretty fugly.

[2o6]

I see a Kia Amanti, a Sonata, and a S80 in the OP, not an Azera.  Not sure why you're bringing it up.

IT'S AN AZERA. 

[S204STi]

IT'S AN AZERA. 

Well, I confused you with the OP, and I just realized my mistake about the Sonata, my bad.

[68_427]

Maybe a Subaru Outback?  I also like the idea of Montego/500, or maybe even a Lincoln LS.

[nickdrinkwater]

S80