My mother is looking for a new car on a tight budget. She has narrowed it down between the Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cobalt and Ford Focus. Which would you buy and why? Please don't do the foreign vs. American arguement. That will not help me out. Thanks in advance!

Ford makes a good product. We regretted buying our Honda and wished we would have got the Ford. They always have great promotions as well.

I'd scratch the Cobalt due to its flimsy interior, especially the switchgear. I was in a rental Cobalt for 2 weeks and hated it. It will get slightly better MPG than the other two, but nowhere near enough to make me own one.The Focus has been an excellent car the past few years according to Consumer Reports as has the Elantra.I'd drive them both and decide from there...its really a personal thing...driving position, seat comfort etc etc.

I have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra and has 67000 miles the only thing I have done are oil changes and a minor 45000 service which was 350. I just got new tires and brakes last summer other than that it is a pretty good car.I would also look at the Covalt which is like a Cavalier. I put 140000 miles on it over 4 years and never had any service on the car what so ever. It ran like a champ. Chevy is a good car as well. I spent about 12000 on that car back in 96 it may have increased but is a good car. Good luck

Elantra: Looks nice and has more features, but comes with the previous generation engine. If you can't wait for the '08 Focus, go with this.Cobalt: Basically a upgraded Cavalier, which was a really bad car.Focus: Agile engine, Great Handling, but wait for the '08 redesign that comes out this fall.I'd say, go with the '08 Focus. (Elantra if you can't wait until then)

I'd go for the Cobalt. All new Chevys now come with a 100,000 mile/10 yr. warranty, and it covers more than just the engine and drivetrain, although I'm not exactly sure of the details exactly. Additionally, there's also a shorter 3 yr. bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers everything, but that's pretty standard.

Go with the Hyundai.The cheap interior materials, overall design and RESALE of the two domestics is rediculously bad. Only extremely poor/hicks/stupid people would give their hard earned money to Chevy or Ford.You might also look at a Honda Fit and DX model Honda Civic, or even a Toyota Corrola.In fact, I would personally buy a slightly used Honda or Toyota over the cars you listed.If you do buy new (which is extremely bad as you eat the huge depreciation of the first two years) make sure you pay much less than invoice on the american cars and about invoice for a Honda/Toyota.

A Focus? Come on, Where's your pride?

Neither, get a Mazda 3!