Our youngest son visited us for a week at Christmas from Orlando and informed me his car is basically dead ( Olds Intrigue ) . It runs just enough to limp it to a dealer for trade in
. So he has to start the search for a replacement . He is NOT a car guy , his idea of maintenance is putting oil in when the red light comes on
so he needs an appliance . He also doesn't drive a stick so automatic it is .
I suggested Honda , Toyota and Mazda as good reliable appliances . I had previously suggested a Ford Focus but he said he went on some " ask the mechanic " website and some mechanic ( ??? ) stated that model has a lot of problems with their auto transmissions so my son is soured on that . Am I missing any other good suggestions ?
In a perfect world he'd like a hatchback so the Mazda 3 four door sedan/hatchback looks promising . His budget is in the 10 - 14 range and it looks like 2014 models with less than 30-40K on them are available . Also had SIL visit for Christmas in her new Chevy Cruze , I know nothing about it but she has 3K on this new car and loves it . Is that a GM product or overseas model rebadged ? Any good ? I'm trying to guide him in the right direction as much as I can .