Old car, need new car

Hey all,

So my parents want a new car, and we're thinking of trading in our car for something from today's day and age.

We're sticking with a 1997 Nissan Altima GLE at the moment, and we want to trade it in for something that's about the same size and class due to its comfort.

I am looking around using what I know about the new technology and cars today, but when it comes down to something that fits the category of our Altima, I come to a stump.

I was wondering if you guys could point me in the direction of the type of cars I should be looking for?

Also, the choices have been scaled down a lot too. They don't want anything American, and feel that buying an European car would be too much of a hassle due to its tech-savviness, and Toyota's are way out of the question with the news it's been getting.

I've heard the Suzuki Kizashi was all right. And Hyundai seems to be a decent growing manufacturer where you get the quality you need for the prices they offer..

Any other suggestions would be great. We're planning on going to check out a new car next week when there's time to breathe.

I would also like to add that we're probably going to look for an older year of the car (2008/9) to avoid the hassle of a charge that is called the Pre-delivery charge ( $2000??? -____-; )

But, alas, buying a new car is also a possibility. But not as probable as getting a dealer-certified pre-owned vehicle

First let me say the 97 Altima was/still is an excellent vehicle for value, but let's move the clock ahead about 14 years

Your parents don"t want anything American,,, Have you checked consumer reports on the Ford Fusion ? to me it's the best price value in todays market that compare to an Altima.

I am sorry to say,. for you to make a statement you will be looking at 08/09 models to avoid the pre - delivery charge tells me you're a complete rookie buying a vehicle.

My suggestion to you is, check out some vehicle's of interest as you planned, and please post your findings,,, that is unless you got tied up with a real pro salesman and got hooked like an eagle with no feathers buying a vehicle on your first visit

Haha, it's true I have no experience in buying a new/used car. And do not get me wrong, the Altima is a great vehicle. It still is and we're at 247,000 only. So there's a bit more to go, but we'd rather trade it in now while it's still in good condition.

However, my parents are very biased as you can probably tell. Whenever my parents had an American car back in... 199x it started having huge problems at around like 190k's.

My parents wanna avoid that at the moment.

And I'm still a bit confused on the whole buying a new car thing anyway. What happens? My parents said that it's a waste of money because something about the PDI. No idea though.

Also, uhm. The cars I've looked into?

Well, the Suzuki Kizashi, for starters... Though probably not. I've also been looking into the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord, Kia Rio... ETC

Just any Import car I can think of that fits a mid-size sedan like the Altima we have.

What kinda budget they lookin at?

Probably something around 20-25K after everything.

I know, very limited... But what can ya do?