Need to consider a motor for my mum now dad is dead!

Need to consider a motor for my mum now dad is dead!

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Discussion

Gilhooligan

2,214 posts

145 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Another vote for the i10. My 78 year old grandmother has one and loves the high seat position, easy to access car. It's also tiny so not difficult to park. Reversing is easy due to good visibility out back.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

160 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
bernhund said:
Troubleatmill said:
Hyundai i10 or equivalent Kia
Just had a quick look on 'What Car' at the little i10 and the write up's are very good.
My folks are on their second. Totally brilliant car - especially for the elderly.

aspirated

2,539 posts

147 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Suzuki Jimny? Little easier to see out of/safer in winter/event of a crash

1.3 Auto smile

Tannedbaldhead

2,952 posts

133 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
bernhund said:
Troubleatmill said:
Hyundai i10 or equivalent Kia
Just had a quick look on 'What Car' at the little i10 and the write up's are very good.
My Mum's 72, runs an automatic i10 and loves it. Very light controls. Easy to drive and park. Highish seats make it easy to get in and out of. Cheap to run and not a bad drive at all. When I had an E Class Estate I used to pinch my Mum's i10 when I was driving about town. A genuinely pleasant and fun car to drive.

SMcP114

2,916 posts

193 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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The i10 is a great car. A bit slow to pick up sometimes, and the shift light is determined to have to in the wrong gear at all times, but apart from that no complaints.

martin mrt

3,774 posts

202 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
Troubleatmill said:
Hyundai i10 or equivalent Kia
I was going to recommend an i10.

Friend of mine was in a similar predicament as the OP a few years ago, traded the fathers old Honda and Mothers old Yaris for an i10, I drove it a few weeks ago and I was VERY impressed, well specced too

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

194 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
i10 is sounding better all the time. Probably long warranty too. My Mum won't be looking for anything exciting, just a town car that's easy really. Occasionally she would whizz up the A21 from the coast to Sevenoaks, but it's mainly 60 mph when there's no congestion.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

160 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
bernhund said:
i10 is sounding better all the time. Probably long warranty too. My Mum won't be looking for anything exciting, just a town car that's easy really. Occasionally she would whizz up the A21 from the coast to Sevenoaks, but it's mainly 60 mph when there's no congestion.
Big chunky comtrols - handy if she has any arthritis.
Easy in and out
Well specced

Whoever designed the car knew how to cater for the older generation.


belleair302

6,850 posts

208 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Mazda 2, Fiesta or Honda Jazz. Possibly a Kia Piccanto.

Tannedbaldhead

2,952 posts

133 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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belleair302 said:
Mazda 2, Fiesta or Honda Jazz. Possibly a Kia Piccanto.
You forgot to mention the i10 laugh


Xaero

4,060 posts

216 months

Friday 18th April 2014
quotequote all
aspirated said:
Suzuki Jimny? Little easier to see out of/safer in winter/event of a crash

1.3 Auto smile
That good seating position in regards to view means it's a bit of a step up for someone elderly though. Something lower to the ground with the seat around hip height is much better for access.

I'd probably recommend one of the Korean cars too. They are affordable with long warranties and a nice enough size. My only grandparent who still drives uses a small Kia, she's had it at least 5 years now and never talks about it, which I assume means it's reliable as she always used to complain about her previous Citroen (a Berlingo van) causing her problems.

George7

1,130 posts

151 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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An automatic i10 is pretty much the holy grail of cars for old people IMO. Cheap, reliable, easy to drive and a long warranty.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Just got my mum a 2008 A150 Avantagrde.
It is absolutely mint with full service history and 30k miles on it.
It drives like a new car, looks like a new car, feels like a new car and she loves it.
Very easy to drive, with a slightly raise driving position, far easier than the 61 plate Mini it replaced, and loads of usable space inside for its compact exterior size, a very clever little car.

Forgot to say, £4700 with 12 months warranty, a full service beforehand and the rear bumper resprayed as there was a couple of scratches where the previous owner had loaded stuff into the boot.


BFG TERRANO

2,172 posts

149 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Sorry to read the loss of your dad.

I was where you are now back in 2005. Dad always had BMW but mum was not really fussed. She sold it and bought a Kia picanto. It's cheap, low tax economical and reliable motoring.

Zedboy1200

816 posts

212 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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New Clio has great deals with free servicing, insurance zero road tax etc etc...might be affordable if Renault dealer remembers your dad?

Just got my daughter one...cracking motor.

Engineer1

10,486 posts

210 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Probably best to visit a car supermarket, try some cars because chances are there will be minor issues that only you mum will spot, seat height head room, boot space, visibility that means the best car in PH's opinion isn't the best for her. I'd still say try Korean, or if you want something similar but from a more prestigious origin the up/mii/citigo may fit the bill.

Bigbox

599 posts

212 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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I want through the same as you a couple of years back. In the end I took a day off and drove her round a few garages to see what she wanted although she was clueless
In the end she had fond memories of the Renault, similar reasons to your mum, and as she needed the space I got her a great deal on a megane.

For that reason I'd steer her towards a Renault Clio if she's after a smaller type car... for old time's sake

Vaud

50,614 posts

156 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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My aged parents love their A class - high driving position, plenty of light in the cabin, aircon useful to demist and in summer.

elanfan

5,520 posts

228 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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My old man had a Hyundai i10 before he died (it was also his second one) and he was 6'2" and probably around 20 stone - he found they had plenty of room. 1.2 engine if I remember correctly. I drove it before it was sold and having come from quite a powerful Volvo I was shocked at how well it drove. Not that your Mum will be looking to speed in it but I was on the motorway and hadn't realised that it had crept up to 80 leptons and it honestly wasn't struggling. I reckon you cannot go far wrong with one. Go to a dealer and try one, then take a look in the classifieds - they have a long warranty (5 years I think) so a second hand purchase should be bomb proof!

Probably not a million miles away:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Edited by elanfan on Friday 18th April 20:04

garycat

4,414 posts

211 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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Ford Fusion is designed for the elderly market, but a Jazz is the de facto OAP car.