Car for my Dad - aged 86
Discussion
I need to find a new car for my Dad - he's 86 and whilst he's still pretty fit and cycles for local journeys, I think he still needs a car suitable for someone elderly.
He currently drives a Mk3 Mondeo diesel. There's only him and my Mum, and the grandkids are all grown up, so baby seats in the back is not a consideration. Parking is a bit of a challenge in the street they live in, so I think that rules out a new Mondeo.
I've come up with the following list of requirements (which I will validate with him later):
Easy to get in and out of - not sure if this means 3 door or 5 door is better - also not sure if this means a Ford Kuga would be better than a Ford Focus
Automatic
A decently functional satnav that is native to the car - nothing that needs a mobile phone plugged in. Also needs European coverage out of the box, and no subscriptions. Out of date maps are an acceptable compromise.
As few beeps and bongs as possible - although reliable and accurate parking sensors would be a definite plus
Re-sale is a non-issue - so CAT "X" cars could be considered. My Mum doesn't drive any more, and my Dad has had his current car for 20 years.
Budget is a ballpark £10K - if there's a compelling reason to go to £12K, then it will be considered.
The car needs to be bought early in the New Year - before March
My current thinking is either a Focus or a Kuga - but I'm not sure if the auto gearbox in those is the same as the one in Mk5 Mondeo (traditional auto), or the original Ford "Powershift" (automated manual). They brand both types as "Powershift" but from what I hear the automated manual has some reliability issues.
He currently drives a Mk3 Mondeo diesel. There's only him and my Mum, and the grandkids are all grown up, so baby seats in the back is not a consideration. Parking is a bit of a challenge in the street they live in, so I think that rules out a new Mondeo.
I've come up with the following list of requirements (which I will validate with him later):
Easy to get in and out of - not sure if this means 3 door or 5 door is better - also not sure if this means a Ford Kuga would be better than a Ford Focus
Automatic
A decently functional satnav that is native to the car - nothing that needs a mobile phone plugged in. Also needs European coverage out of the box, and no subscriptions. Out of date maps are an acceptable compromise.
As few beeps and bongs as possible - although reliable and accurate parking sensors would be a definite plus
Re-sale is a non-issue - so CAT "X" cars could be considered. My Mum doesn't drive any more, and my Dad has had his current car for 20 years.
Budget is a ballpark £10K - if there's a compelling reason to go to £12K, then it will be considered.
The car needs to be bought early in the New Year - before March
My current thinking is either a Focus or a Kuga - but I'm not sure if the auto gearbox in those is the same as the one in Mk5 Mondeo (traditional auto), or the original Ford "Powershift" (automated manual). They brand both types as "Powershift" but from what I hear the automated manual has some reliability issues.
Stuart70 said:
honda jazz?
Our 85 year old neighbour has one, very easy to get into, comfortable, very practical, auto so easy to drive, well put together, you can see why they appeal to the older generation.I just helped him renew his insurance online, he paid just under £400 which we thought was very reasonable considering his age.
Welshbeef said:
I’d say one thing that is important with cars when getting older is the best way to get in or out of the car.
Honda CRV for example
Also must be an auto
Very comfy seats
Maybe a Merc ML?
My grandparents are in their 90’s but no way could they haul themselves up into a SUV.Honda CRV for example
Also must be an auto
Very comfy seats
Maybe a Merc ML?
Honda Jazz, Hyundai ix20 etc are easy access, easy steers
CooperS said:
My grandparents are in their 90’s but no way could they haul themselves up into a SUV.
Honda Jazz, Hyundai ix20 etc are easy access, easy steers
Fair enough but most old people cannot haul themselves out of a car. So a slightly higher position means they simply step into the car. Honda Jazz, Hyundai ix20 etc are easy access, easy steers
A CRV isn’t like a discovery G wagon etc where yes big ground clearance and you climb into it.
Monkeylegend said:
Stuart70 said:
honda jazz?
Our 85 year old neighbour has one, very easy to get into, comfortable, very practical, auto so easy to drive, well put together, you can see why they appeal to the older generation.I just helped him renew his insurance online, he paid just under £400 which we thought was very reasonable considering his age.
My old folks have a 10 year old c1 - i thought they might be better with a newer car. But actually the c1 was easiest to get in and out, what we found with some of the higher cars was that although the seat was at a good height there was a wider cill to negotiate- she can just about manage our vitara.
They are sticking with the old c1 for now- havent tried a jazz though, ran out of enthusiasm before we got to the honda shop
They are sticking with the old c1 for now- havent tried a jazz though, ran out of enthusiasm before we got to the honda shop
essayer said:
Kia Picanto
e: by European maps do you mean he drives in Europe? So motorway journeys, long trips etc? Or just U.K. coverage?
Yes - he drives in Europe. They have a house in France, and last time they went they came home via Santander. So it need to be suitable to cover 200 miles in a day (I doubt they'd do more than that in one hit).e: by European maps do you mean he drives in Europe? So motorway journeys, long trips etc? Or just U.K. coverage?
The Satnav requirement is pretty much solely to find tucked away locations in places they've never been to before - e.g. the hotel they had booked in San Sebastien. It's not about shaving 10 minutes off the journey time.
The Jazz in general is a good choice, they're a stereotypical old person car for a reason.
In general, on the doors question, I'd usually say a 5 door is easier for getting in and out of - on most care that have both, the 5 door has shorter front doors, so they can open wider in a given gap.
Moot point if buying something that's only available with 5 doors though.
In general, on the doors question, I'd usually say a 5 door is easier for getting in and out of - on most care that have both, the 5 door has shorter front doors, so they can open wider in a given gap.
Moot point if buying something that's only available with 5 doors though.
omniflow said:
Yes - he drives in Europe. They have a house in France, and last time they went they came home via Santander. So it need to be suitable to cover 200 miles in a day (I doubt they'd do more than that in one hit).
The Satnav requirement is pretty much solely to find tucked away locations in places they've never been to before - e.g. the hotel they had booked in San Sebastien. It's not about shaving 10 minutes off the journey time.
Got to be realistic how many more trips to France will he be making? 86yo mobility decreases & speed of reactions will reduce ie increasing stopping distances etc. The Satnav requirement is pretty much solely to find tucked away locations in places they've never been to before - e.g. the hotel they had booked in San Sebastien. It's not about shaving 10 minutes off the journey time.
Just had similar with my 80yr old Mum
Everyone said Jazz etc but she thought they were "old people's cars"
I took her to the local car supermarket and she soon decided on an Audi A1 - which is what I thought she'd want, coming from an A3
My FIL did similar and ended up with a Nissan Juke which he loves - show them the options and let them choose
Everyone said Jazz etc but she thought they were "old people's cars"
I took her to the local car supermarket and she soon decided on an Audi A1 - which is what I thought she'd want, coming from an A3
My FIL did similar and ended up with a Nissan Juke which he loves - show them the options and let them choose
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