Mom needs a new car..

Her Mini got totaled by a truck. She's fine, and wants a new safe small 2 door car. She holds onto cars for a long time so take that into consideration.

Budget is around $30,000. Lower is better. Must be able to hold 2 large dogs, be safe, be small, look good, and get nice milage. She loved her Mini and is thinking of getting another but she wants options. Something similar. No Kias or Hondas. Us kids are all grown up so back seat size doesn't matter too much.

So far:

Another Mini

VW TDI Golf

Volvo C30

She loves the 1 series hatch, as well as the 2 door Audi A3's. She's going to be in Europe soon, but I don't think she could bring it back to California...

Ideas please!

You said no Honda or Kia, but you didn't mention Hyundai:

Yeah, that Elantra GT is a nice little car.

For a safe, small 2 door with some room inside, it'd be hard to beat the C30. Another MINI (non-turbo) would fit the bill nicely too. I'd stay away from the VW/Audi, unless she's on a first name basis with a good mechanic/or likes going to the dealership service department a lot.

Yeah got to vote C30 as well. My wife loves her. With them discontinuing the model for 13, the 12's are pretty cheap. I got her's for 5K off last year and they come with 5 years free service now.

If she gets another Mini, I'm pretty sure it will be a turbo. Do the TDI's really have reliability issues? It's a diesel..

I really like the C30.

I vote MINI. Unless she feels like compromising and going to a 4 door, in which Focus ST.

mr2peak wrote: If she gets another Mini, I'm pretty sure it will be a turbo. Do the TDI's really have reliability issues? It's a diesel..

They aren't "unreliable," but they tend to require frequent and expensive service above and beyond a gasser.

Pretty much all VWs have reliability issues. The Cooper S is also a very trouble prone car, the non-turbo is much more reliable.

If she is going to be in Europe for a significant period of time, I know that Volvo tourist and diplomat sales will...let me say "would", since my info is old...sell you a car that meets your local emission and safety standards but deliver it in Europe.

Then all you have to do is figure out how to get the longshoremen to not steal the tires.

After all the good things I hear about Honda and Kia, I would shoot for that Hyundai hatch/wagon thing. Or maybe a Mazda 2? My guess is she will have far less maintenance requirements on either of those than on a Volvo, Audi, or VW. Or shoot for a Mazda 3 wagon with Skyactiv?

Streetwiseguy wrote: If she is going to be in Europe for a significant period of time, I know that Volvo tourist and diplomat sales will...let me say "would", since my info is old...sell you a car that meets your local emission and safety standards but deliver it in Europe. Then all you have to do is figure out how to get the longshoremen to not steal the tires.

Friend of mine did this a few years ago with his C30. Spec'd it out Euro style, made sure it would pass US inspection, took delivery in Sweden.

mndsm wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote: If she is going to be in Europe for a significant period of time, I know that Volvo tourist and diplomat sales will...let me say "would", since my info is old...sell you a car that meets your local emission and safety standards but deliver it in Europe. Then all you have to do is figure out how to get the longshoremen to not steal the tires.

Friend of mine did this a few years ago with his C30. Spec'd it out Euro style, made sure it would pass US inspection, took delivery in Sweden.

mndsm wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote: If she is going to be in Europe for a significant period of time, I know that Volvo tourist and diplomat sales will...let me say "would", since my info is old...sell you a car that meets your local emission and safety standards but deliver it in Europe. Then all you have to do is figure out how to get the longshoremen to not steal the tires.

Friend of mine did this a few years ago with his C30. Spec'd it out Euro style, made sure it would pass US inspection, took delivery in Sweden.

Four months. I get the feeling they are testing it out as a permanent move in the future..

My mom has asked me about European delivery already. I think the C30 would be really cool to have with the eurospec cosmetics. The only problem is that we can't go after the car as an "aging model" from the dealers lot. It's been around for a while and I'm pretty confident we could get a nice price on one here. Please correct me if I'm wrong in thinking that. Eurospec VW TDI would be a better car to buy there as they still very new in the states.

She also asked me about European delivery of a 2 door A3, and a 1 series hatch.. Wish there was an easy way to register them in California!

Euro delivery for Volvo: http://www.volvocars.com/us/sales-services/sales/volvo_overseas_delivery/pages/default.aspx

Audi: http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/exp/european_delivery.html

I fear the C30's hatch shape and height would cause the rear bumper to get clobbered by dog paws unless the puppies are loaded through the side doors.

The dog/hatch access might be a problem. I'm hoping Sunday we can test drive some cars. 3M clear film might be a good option to protect the bumper, on either car.

Anyone have real world VW vs C30 opinions?

In reply to mr2peak: I'd say Ford Fiesta/ Focus/ Mazda 2/ 3 or maybe a Honda Fit. If she's really looking for funky she could try a Fiat 500 or even a Smart ForTwo. Personally, I'd just get another Mini. As to the 3M protection, I'd use plastidip glossifier instead.

I'm a big fan of the new Fiat 500, and she could buy two for $30k. Or one Abarth and a handful of accessories/modifications.

Or if she really liked her MINI, she could just get another one.

Powar wrote: I'm a big fan of the new Fiat 500, and she could buy two for $30k. Or one Abarth and a handful of accessories/modifications. Or if she really liked her MINI, she could just get another one.

Will two large dogs fit in a 500? I didn't think they were that big.

Focus ST?

ReverendDexter wrote:

Powar wrote: I'm a big fan of the new Fiat 500, and she could buy two for $30k. Or one Abarth and a handful of accessories/modifications. Or if she really liked her MINI, she could just get another one.

Will two large dogs fit in a 500? I didn't think they were that big.

Depends on how you define large dogs but I doubt it.

Hyundai Veloster?

For some reason, I really want a Veloster Turbo.

In reply to Sky_Render:

They're definitely on the short list. They solve my childish issue of hating having to move the driver's seat so people can get in behind me. Nope, get in on the passenger side like the passenger you are.