what supermini for my dear old aunty??
Discussion
I have been tasked with getting a used supermini for my aunty (well into her 80's!)
Her budget seems to be up to about £8k, and my criteria are: automatic (against her wishes!), rear parking sensors, reliable, adequate boot space, and a well dampened ride (her husband has a bad back and even minor bumps seem to cause pain, fairly new, and low mileage.
At the moment I seem to be looking at a Honda Jazz, but am I missing anything?
-any views on the Jazz also very welcome!
Her budget seems to be up to about £8k, and my criteria are: automatic (against her wishes!), rear parking sensors, reliable, adequate boot space, and a well dampened ride (her husband has a bad back and even minor bumps seem to cause pain, fairly new, and low mileage.
At the moment I seem to be looking at a Honda Jazz, but am I missing anything?
-any views on the Jazz also very welcome!
Suzuki Swift 1.5.
You could get a very lightly used one on that budget.
Parking sensors, steering wheel radio controls, keyless (not having to put a key in the ignition is great). All the controls are light but nicely weighted and its easy to see out of. Lots of airbags also.
As an aside, has she had an auto before? There seem to be lots of instances of old folks getting confused and mashing the accelerator thinking its the brake. You hear of lots of crashes like this and I've witnessed one.
You could get a very lightly used one on that budget.
Parking sensors, steering wheel radio controls, keyless (not having to put a key in the ignition is great). All the controls are light but nicely weighted and its easy to see out of. Lots of airbags also.
As an aside, has she had an auto before? There seem to be lots of instances of old folks getting confused and mashing the accelerator thinking its the brake. You hear of lots of crashes like this and I've witnessed one.
I had a look at the micra, boot is too small, needs to be able to fit a stroller in at a minimum.
I hadnt thought of a Swift, a quick look on auto trader only seems to show a couple within those criteria, will check the dealers though.
-and no, she's never driven an auto before, its certainly an interesting point to consider, since now I think about it, an old dear drove her car right into the living room of a flat in my block, seems she did exactly what was mentioned here.
Yaris is also a very good idea
I hadnt thought of a Swift, a quick look on auto trader only seems to show a couple within those criteria, will check the dealers though.
-and no, she's never driven an auto before, its certainly an interesting point to consider, since now I think about it, an old dear drove her car right into the living room of a flat in my block, seems she did exactly what was mentioned here.
Yaris is also a very good idea
Maybe think about the auto part. She's been driving a manual for over 60 years! Changing at this stage may unsettle her and cause her to lose concentration at the wrong time.
I'm 47 and still go for the clutch when I drive my wifes XC90 after a week commuting in my manual S40.
On the car front I think for £8k you can get the facelift Jazz (2008+) which is meant to be have a much more compliant ride.
ETA a 59 reg is within budget
http://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/aexp/used-car/42890...
I'm 47 and still go for the clutch when I drive my wifes XC90 after a week commuting in my manual S40.
On the car front I think for £8k you can get the facelift Jazz (2008+) which is meant to be have a much more compliant ride.
ETA a 59 reg is within budget
http://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/aexp/used-car/42890...
Ford Fusion?
Good size boot - masses of room with the seats down and they are split folding. High enough to be easy to get in and out of, good driving position. Well within budget too.
Had a 1.4 tdci manual at work on an 04 plate. Was tough as old boots, only issue it had was the fuel lines going at 100k - common for that engine. I last saw it at about 180k and still going strong despite a LOT of abuse on and off road, and it is still going fine as far as I know.
I think the ride is decent too, I done a lot of miles on rough tracks and I think it was always comfortable.
Something like this - this one is quite expensive too? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Ford-Fusion-1-6-Zet...
Good size boot - masses of room with the seats down and they are split folding. High enough to be easy to get in and out of, good driving position. Well within budget too.
Had a 1.4 tdci manual at work on an 04 plate. Was tough as old boots, only issue it had was the fuel lines going at 100k - common for that engine. I last saw it at about 180k and still going strong despite a LOT of abuse on and off road, and it is still going fine as far as I know.
I think the ride is decent too, I done a lot of miles on rough tracks and I think it was always comfortable.
Something like this - this one is quite expensive too? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Ford-Fusion-1-6-Zet...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff