@SunnyFlorida

You might be right

The thing is she lives in an apartment with her mom and brother and there isn't much room. When her sister lived with them she had a bike in the hallway that was always in the way. When my gf expressed an interest in getting a bike I thought that maybe a folder would be a good choice for her since they're so compact. However, I know her and after reading the responses here I know she'd rather have a bike that was ready to ride and not a fixer upper.

But new folders are so much more expensive! Isn't there such a thing as budget folding bikes out there?