So my gf needs a new car within the next few months, I have a few ideas of what would be a nice ride for her but we’re open to options. She will be buying the car (I’d like to help her buy something above her price range but we both agree that’s a bad idea for now) so her max budget is $15k (that is max, closer to 10 would be nice).
Her current car is a '95 Saturn SC2 w/ 140,000 miles on it. Honestly, for what it is it’s not a bad car. It’s just old and beat up. The previous owner was a friend of mine and he beat the shit out of it. It’s a wonder it still runs. But it’s starting to be unreliable and she really deserves better.
She’s a nanny for 3 kids ages 6, 9 and 15. The car she gets has to accommodate taking all 3 to and from school and sometimes a friend of theirs. Though the oldest will be driving herself pretty soon I guess. The little Saturn barely cuts it right now. Everything I really like for her is a 2 door but she really needs 4. She drives a lot so a car w/ decent fuel mileage, low maintenance costs, and good reliability are key. A 4 door 4cyl or 6cyl car is basically what she’s looking at.
As for what she likes she told me what she really really wants is a Firehawk. LoL. I didn’t even coach her into that one. But a Firehawk has little or no more space than the SC2 for ppl or things. The fuel mileage when left stock would be good 'nough and despite what you all will say I believe the reliability if we got a low mileage one would be fine. But the $15k price-point really rules out a low mileage Firehawk. On top of that it’ll be another money pit cuz I won’t be able to leave it alone (come on, it at least needs lowered, intake/exhaust etc).
She also likes Land Rover Discovery IIs. You can find some very nice ones within her price range with under 50k miles. It obviously has the room she needs. But I question the reliability and maintenance costs. And although she “thinks” she likes the Discovery she generally likes smaller nimble cars and hasn’t driven one yet. I think she’ll be somewhat displeased w/ the drive. Oh, and I think when I go wheel it and bring it back w/ body damage I’ll be killed. 
Sooooo anyway my first thought for her was a mid-90’s SC300. I actually want one for myself for my own daily driver. The problem of course is it’s not much bigger than the Saturn on the inside. At her price you can find some w/ surprisingly low miles and hey, it’s really a Toyota so I’m not worried 'bout reliability. She likes 'em so I guess it’s still an option but the size and it being a 2 door are problems. Oh, and a subtle drop and 18s would be mandatory. 
IBDARKSTARSAYSMAXIMA I also was thinking of Maximas. The only thing is I really don’t think she’ll see it as nice or cool. I think it’ll seem to her like she’s putting out a lot of money for a car she has to get for her job rather than one she wants to get for herself.
But basically I want some opinions. What’s a nice car available at for $15k or less that actually has some appeal too???
-TJ
I was really thinking of trying to talk her into it. But honestly it’s a bad idea. If she doesn’t really like the car on her own she’s going to be mad at me everytime she has to make that payment on something she doesn’t really like. I’d want to mod it of course, so more $ out of my pocket. And I’d probably kill the kids she nannies when they set a backpack on the hood or something. 