Small SUV for Mother-in-law

[ClaphamGT3]

As per the title, Mrs C's mother is 75 and suffering from worsening health and mobility. She currently has a - very knocked about -BMW 118d 2 door that has had 9 years of parking by ear and is worth, I expect, the square route of naff-all.

Because of health and mobility issues she's finding it harder and harder to get in and out of and, as a manual, harder and harder to drive.

She really wants a small auto SUV but since her husband traded her in for his floozy from the golf club, she survives on a modest pension income of about £35-40k and has her capital tied up in long term investments with big penalties to release. She doesn't have near cash to buy something decent and the BM isn't going to give her a big enough deposit to avoid a monthly PCP cost taking more of her monthly disposable than we'd like.

Long story short, it looks like I'm buying something for her. Looking to spend £10-15k and want reliability, comfort and ease to get in & out and drive. She will want it to be as new as possible because she equates newness to reliability.

Opening it up to the wisdom of PH crowds, what do I go for?

I'm thinking RAV4 or Nissan Juke because Japanese reliability but what tricks am I missing?

Edited by ClaphamGT3 on Saturday 12th February 21:34

[The big yin]

I would look at Vauxhall Mokka , Volkswagen T Cross or T Roc (We have a T Roc and it is really good ) .
We had a job finding a T Roc R line as there are not a lot available but found one via VW and had it brought to our local dealers .
Good Luck.

[georgeyboy12345]

Yeah, probs a Juke is a good bet for her

Here's a 1.6 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...


Suzuki SX-4 S-Cross 1.0 Boosterjet
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110168...


Mazda CX-3 2.0 Skyactiv-G
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112170...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 12th February 22:13

[MissChief]

Some of these 'mini SUV's' may actually require a climb into if she's small so do be careful. Toyota CHR perhaps?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12674648

[ClaphamGT3]

MissChief said:

Some of these 'mini SUV's' may actually require a climb into if she's small so do be careful. Toyota CHR perhaps?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12674648

This is a good point - she is 5'4".

[Boringvolvodriver]

Whilst not a SUV, doesn’t the Honda Jazz fit the bill?

Not going to get a VW for £15k and the Juke is probably a good call. As long as she doesn’t mind the styling of the car!

Maybe a Citroen c3 Aircross as well

[Justatwist]

I’m not surprised she struggles with the 1 series, it feels like its almost on the floor!

Just wanting to play devils advocate, if she as bad in health as your post seems, would it not be time to consider giving up driving?

[Bobtherallyfan]

How about a Vitara?

[Blakewater]

Justatwist said:

I’m not surprised she struggles with the 1 series, it feels like its almost on the floor!

Just wanting to play devils advocate, if she as bad in health as your post seems, would it not be time to consider giving up driving?

It depends what bad health means. My mum has switched to an automatic Mini because of Arthritis. She's not about to die at the wheel or go gaga and drive the wrong way down the motorway.

A Mini Countryman is something a bit BMW like. Your price range seems to get 5 year old ones.

[dudleybloke]

Sorry, I thought this was a swap thread.

[elanfan]

If she’s poorly might she qualify for PIP and a mobility car?

[edc]

Try a Seat Arona.

[hoagypubdog]

Suzuki Ignis ?

[Jamescrs]

I'd advise against a Juke because in my experience visibility is poor, especially at the rear.

I'd say Vauxhall Mokka, my inlaws whilst not as old have similar mobility issues and they love them, they are on their 3rd now.

[familyguy1]

Dacia Duster?

[Emily's dad]

My mum is similar age, and has the same sort of mobility issues.

She has a Hyundai IX20, not an SUV, more an MPV, but may be one to consider. Nothing to get overly excited about, but drives well enough, decent amount of kit, and as reliable as they come.

My missus has a Mokka X, not a car for an enthusiastic PH driver, but would also fit the bit for your mother in law.

[ChrisH72]

We have an ix20 as our family car. Its dead easy to drive, spacious and has been cheap reliable motoring.

In laws have a Captur which they really like.

Is 35-40k considered a 'modest' pension income these days????

[Skyedriver]

"she survives on a modest pension income of about £35-40k "

Wish my pension was as "modest" I didn't get that much working full time.

Good luck with the search OP

[ClaphamGT3]

Skyedriver said:

"she survives on a modest pension income of about £35-40k "

Wish my pension was as "modest" I didn't get that much working full time.

Good luck with the search OP

Please put this in the context of the first part of the sentence. Her husband left her three years ago meaning that her pension has to cover pretty much the same overheads as they had as a couple with pension income two or three times that. She's not hurting but after her outgoings and budgeted expenditure she has very little surplus each month and certainly shouldn't be dipping into capital to buy a new car.

Thanks for all the suggestions; plenty to research there that I hadn't thought about.

[Austin_Metro]

Not sure on price (guessing they are still expensive) but if she is used to a bmw, what about an i3? With parking sensors.