Reliable run-around elderly driver £4k
Discussion
I won't go into much detail as to the whys.
But need a car for an elderly,70 years old lady. Requires an automatic.
It'll be her first bought car (always had motability).
The car needs to be reliable as she lives in remote areas of Wales. So mpg is important but having some guts to it , would be good as there are alot of hills and over taking is often necessary.
Due to her age/health, she prefers cars that ride a little higher than your normal car as she prefers the access in and out that provides.
From a maintenance pov. I think given the budget avoiding as much BORK factor as possible is highest priority. But assuming as you should, that a second hand car will break down at some point. And given the remote location. Parts and maintenance should be relatively cheap and/or accessible.
She likes a few modern toys too.
Any recommendations appreciated.
Thanks
But need a car for an elderly,70 years old lady. Requires an automatic.
It'll be her first bought car (always had motability).
The car needs to be reliable as she lives in remote areas of Wales. So mpg is important but having some guts to it , would be good as there are alot of hills and over taking is often necessary.
Due to her age/health, she prefers cars that ride a little higher than your normal car as she prefers the access in and out that provides.
From a maintenance pov. I think given the budget avoiding as much BORK factor as possible is highest priority. But assuming as you should, that a second hand car will break down at some point. And given the remote location. Parts and maintenance should be relatively cheap and/or accessible.
She likes a few modern toys too.
Any recommendations appreciated.
Thanks
There's a reason the stereotype of old people driving a Honda Jazz exists.
Small car, but with a big boot and higher than a normal supermini driving position, plenty of toys (in EX spec you get climate, auto lights/wipers and electric windows all round, plus on the pre '15 model a glass roof,) light steering and bombproof reliability. Avoid the 09-12 autos branded i-Shift as they're jerky, before and after that they use a torque converter that's much smoother. Only thing to make sure of is that the gearbox oil has been changed at the proper intervals (60k IIRC.)
I've had an 09 plate EX (manual though,) that I bought for £3.5k 3 years ago as a hack, it's utterly indistructable and costs buttons to run and service. Non consumable parts cost a bit more than they would on a Ford/Vauxhall etc but that's largely moot as you'll never need to buy them. Dull as dishwater to drive but I'm guessing the driver in question isn't looking for pin sharp handling and tonnes of power.
Small car, but with a big boot and higher than a normal supermini driving position, plenty of toys (in EX spec you get climate, auto lights/wipers and electric windows all round, plus on the pre '15 model a glass roof,) light steering and bombproof reliability. Avoid the 09-12 autos branded i-Shift as they're jerky, before and after that they use a torque converter that's much smoother. Only thing to make sure of is that the gearbox oil has been changed at the proper intervals (60k IIRC.)
I've had an 09 plate EX (manual though,) that I bought for £3.5k 3 years ago as a hack, it's utterly indistructable and costs buttons to run and service. Non consumable parts cost a bit more than they would on a Ford/Vauxhall etc but that's largely moot as you'll never need to buy them. Dull as dishwater to drive but I'm guessing the driver in question isn't looking for pin sharp handling and tonnes of power.
Boringcarowner said:
My elderly MIL drives a previous generation Nissan Micra auto which she loves. She can get all her WI mates in (when allowed) for their luncheon trips.
I know not everyone has issues, but worth baring in mind that the previous gen was a Renault Clio underneath the skin, and unfortunately many were riddled with electrical problems from new. My wife's car many years ago spent more time with Nissan than it did with us and was subsequently rejected. I can't imagine these issues got better with age either...I'd stick with Honda / Suzuki / Toyota if you want reliability @ £4k...
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