What is it, and define "died" - I'm assuming that it's not economically viable to bring it back to life and get it into similar shape as the average $4k used car, but sometimes the devil you know is better than an unknown $4k used car that might need $1k in 6 months...
Chrysler Sebring... It died because she broke a control arm two days ago. On top of that, it needs a new top, shocks, the trans felt like it was starting to go (from the passenger seat), oil changes probably haven't been kept up with (I'm not sure on this, but there is a good chance of it), interior is rubbish... I'd say that it is worth $1500, best case scenario.
Sure, she could throw money at it, but it really is easier just to say goodbye, especially since her Grandma is gifting her a $4,000 interest-free-probably-never-to-be-paid-back-and-that's-okay-loan for a new car.
I advise a $3,000 purchase budget and $1,000 repair budget.
pinchvalve wrote: +1 for the Olds. The last ones were decent-looking and they don't carry the Honda/Toyota resale markup.
My wife had one (actually handed down from my parents) and it was pretty decent in terms of reliability.
Or you could go the opposite tack and recommend a Triumph Spitfire, in the hopes that it will punish her so much for not maintaining it that it breaks her of the habit of neglecting her cars.
jrw1621 wrote: I advise a $3,000 purchase budget and $1,000 repair budget.
This, spent on a camry, would probably last the rest of her life. 
MadScientistMatt wrote: Or you could go the opposite tack and recommend a Triumph Spitfire, in the hopes that it will punish her so much for not maintaining it that it breaks her of the habit of neglecting her cars.
I vote Midget for this and no one will miss a Midget. 
I was also going to recommend Camry, but then I remembered who owns what cars. Therefore I am going to recommend something GM with a 3800. Mostly owned by older folks who for the most part keep up with maintenance. As an added bonus they will likely be lower mileage. I can't say the same for most Honda/Toyota owners.
I gave my daughter inlaw the devil when I noticed her front tires looked like Hoosier slicks and they weren't.
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