80 year old parents need a comfortable car.
Discussion
My parents 13 year Focus is on its last legs due to electronic issues.
They have up to £10k to spend on a used car that will be used purely for local trips to the supermarket and occasional trips of 20 miles max.
Mum has a dodgy knee and hip so trying to find something with easy ingress and egress.
Ideally no more than 5 years old as they want something reliable now the focus is letting them down.
Dad loves the Kia Picanto but I’ve a feeling that may be an access issue for mum.
Any suggestions?
They have up to £10k to spend on a used car that will be used purely for local trips to the supermarket and occasional trips of 20 miles max.
Mum has a dodgy knee and hip so trying to find something with easy ingress and egress.
Ideally no more than 5 years old as they want something reliable now the focus is letting them down.
Dad loves the Kia Picanto but I’ve a feeling that may be an access issue for mum.
Any suggestions?
A bit of an odd suggestion maybe: Smart forfour. My mother has had one for a few years now and absolutely loves it. The seating is quite high, as is the roof, so easy access. Really cheap to run (she has the 0.9turbo engine) and she finds it easy to drive. Surprisingly she sees the two tone exterior and colour coded interior as a lot of fun!
RedWhiteMonkey said:
Any other requirements or preferences? Automatic? i assume petrol given the low mileage use.
Skoda Yeti isn't small but isn't too big, it has good access and a nice elevated seating position.
Nissan Juke. Personally I cannot stand them but plenty of nearly used bargains in the budget.
He’s had a manual all his life so think will stick with that. Yeti and Juke are both a good shout.Skoda Yeti isn't small but isn't too big, it has good access and a nice elevated seating position.
Nissan Juke. Personally I cannot stand them but plenty of nearly used bargains in the budget.
We have all major dealers nearby so will organise a trip out this week.
My in-laws are in their 80's now and my MIL has developed a dodgy hip. They have had a C-Max for years (it's a 14 plate I think) and they still find it easy to drive and to get in and out of so my FIL has said they will keep it until they have to give up their licenses. Sticking with Ford the B-Max might also be worth a look as it's a bit smaller than the C-Max but still has a higher driving position so easy to get in and out of.
Scrump said:
A bit of an odd suggestion maybe: Smart forfour. My mother has had one for a few years now and absolutely loves it. The seating is quite high, as is the roof, so easy access. Really cheap to run (she has the 0.9turbo engine) and she finds it easy to drive. Surprisingly she sees the two tone exterior and colour coded interior as a lot of fun!
Very different 
. Cheers.My vote is a Honda Jazz automatic. I have one that I confiscated from my Mum.
Pros:
Slightly taller seating position
Automatic
Automatic everything - keyless entry & start, auto lights, auto wipers, lane assist
Slow as f
k!
Reversing camera
Front AND rear parking sensors
Climate Control
Cons:
Slow as fk!
Pros:
Slightly taller seating position
Automatic
Automatic everything - keyless entry & start, auto lights, auto wipers, lane assist
Slow as f
k!Reversing camera
Front AND rear parking sensors
Climate Control
Cons:
Slow as f
k!Curveball here but there are a fair few Nissan Leafs available for 10K and under. Would that not suit them down to the ground? Medium sized hatchback similar to what they've been driving, far fewer fuel costs, assuming they have a drive or garage then charging from a normal 13A plug should be sufficient. Auto trader shows a few 2017 models at 10k or within a reasonable haggle of 10k. Reliability shouldn't be an issue and short trips are perfect use case for an EV.
RazerSauber said:
Curveball here but there are a fair few Nissan Leafs available for 10K and under. Would that not suit them down to the ground? Medium sized hatchback similar to what they've been driving, far fewer fuel costs, assuming they have a drive or garage then charging from a normal 13A plug should be sufficient. Auto trader shows a few 2017 models at 10k or within a reasonable haggle of 10k. Reliability shouldn't be an issue and short trips are perfect use case for an EV.
Interesting!Definitely sounds like a great case for a Nissan Leaf ('ve been running these for nearly 5 years and haven't had a single issue, 100% reliability), but if they don't want EV for whatever reason, and I know they're unfashionable, but a Vauxhall Crossland is quite small but has the sort of height you can easily get in and out of when elderly. Also the Meriva was a really very good car in its final form and the way the doors work on those might be a boon to your parents.
Thanks again everyone. As is par for the course with these things my dad has done a complete turn about since I spoke to him yesterday.
As he’s 87 next month he realised that he may only be driving for a few more years so wondered if a low cost alternative was possible.
Turns out a trustworthy mechanic of a neighbour has been for a look and run diagnostics. Looks like about £700 will sort out all his issues.
Thanks anyways for all the replies - at least I have a good list should he need to change
As he’s 87 next month he realised that he may only be driving for a few more years so wondered if a low cost alternative was possible.
Turns out a trustworthy mechanic of a neighbour has been for a look and run diagnostics. Looks like about £700 will sort out all his issues.
Thanks anyways for all the replies - at least I have a good list should he need to change
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