How many miles would she be driving the majority of the time? I ask this because if its really small any car would do and then simply convert it to electric. Depending on what car and what you can get it for you may be close to the $8,000 figure. Going this route will save you quite a bit in fuel costs and efficiency over time. For a run around town errands vehicle the pure electric car is hard to beat for efficiency.
last night I ran across this local Ford Festiva electric car conversion for sale I thought for the cost its not to bad. =
1990 ford festiva electric 5 speed
Despite it needing new batteries all the hard work is done for you and at that $3,500 asking price depending on what batteries you go with your payback would be pretty quick. You would be surprised just how little in battery cost it takes to go 30-40 miles in a small compact car like the Festiva.
Just a thought I know how the looks thing is my wife is the same
Me I could drive most anything and not care at all on the looks as long as its efficient and gets the job done.