10k car for parent
Author
Discussion

Up and down Gears

Original Poster:

9 posts

35 months

Saturday 22nd August
quotequote all
Evening,

Looking at a car for parent. Retired, now does low mileage, very odd longer trip, would maybe like something slightly 'higher up' to get in and out but not essential. Ideally 10k and under but can go slightly higher.

Renault Captur
Nissan Micra
Honda Jazz
Dacia - not sure on individual models

I have suggested electric due to low miles, but unsure on if it or battery goes 'wrong' in a few years, cost wise to repair. Nissan Leaf or MX30 would be ideal I would think.

What other suggestions do you think?

InitialDave

15,132 posts

149 months

Saturday 22nd August
quotequote all
The Jazz is a stereotypical elderly transport for good reason.

I'd also consider a Yaris Hybrid.

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 23rd August
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My 80 year old dad just bought an i3 and is hugely impressed with it, as am I...

Evanivitch

26,402 posts

152 months

Sunday 23rd August
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Hyundai Kona.

Easy 250 mile range on 64kWh model (there are a few 40kWh around at that price). Slightly higher up than a typical granny hatch. Decent spec and active safety equipment.

I'd probably just charge it off a 3-pin plug for low mileage use.

Leaf also cheap but then got to address the lack of Chademo chargers if they're out and about.

Jag_NE

3,339 posts

130 months

Sunday 23rd August
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If it’s low mileage I don’t think I’d bother bringing an EV into the equation.

From that list I’d be going for the Renault

edc

9,657 posts

281 months

Sunday 23rd August
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Seat Arona, Merc B class.

Neil-nvaua

366 posts

11 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
My Mum was in a similar situation and we bought her the Renault Captur which replaced an ageing Nissan Note.

Overall happy with the choice and its a surprisingly nice car to drive with just enough tech - auto hill-hold, auto lights, auto wipers whilst being simple enough to drive and live with.

Her only complaint if its a consideration is poor rear access to child seats - smallish rear doors that dont open particularly wide.

Russet Grange

3,090 posts

56 months

Sunday 23rd August
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The first thing I would do is get them both to drive an EV (on the assumption that they can charge at home). The smoothness and simplicity might be a revelation, in which case, you're looking for a £10k EV.

Quite a few to choose from, just whack the price and EV requirement into autotrader and you'll see plenty of options.

I wouldn't worry about battery degradation too much, something up to 70-80k miles and no more than perhaps six or seven years old will surely be fine.

Davie

6,250 posts

245 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
In no particular order, grandparents here have a 1.2 Renault Caotur, a 1.4 Corsa 5 door and a 1.2 Dacia Duster. There's a common theme centering around a lack of tech...

Up and down Gears

Original Poster:

9 posts

35 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
Thanks all. The Captur is their favourite at the minute. They are more worried about buying a 'turd' as the car have now has been so reliable for 130k and only required consumables.

A500leroy

8,492 posts

148 months

Sunday 23rd August
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Fiat panda.

CMTMB

2,037 posts

25 months

Sunday 23rd August
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My parents have a Kia Niro which they've been really pleased with. Mum has a dodgy hip and finds it easy to get in and out of. It's a hybrid auto so a very easy to drive and economical.

Evanivitch

26,402 posts

152 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
Up and down Gears said:
Thanks all. The Captur is their favourite at the minute. They are more worried about buying a 'turd' as the car have now has been so reliable for 130k and only required consumables.
Probably going back a while, but the Captur diesel automatic was the worst car I've ever driven.

InitialDave

15,132 posts

149 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
Up and down Gears said:
Thanks all. The Captur is their favourite at the minute. They are more worried about buying a 'turd' as the car have now has been so reliable for 130k and only required consumables.
On that basis, why buy now? Why not wait until it dies of something terminal or disproportionately hard/expensive to fix?

What do they have now, and what makes it unsuitable for their needs?

"Fancy something else" is perfectly valid, but they shouldn't rationalise themselves into a potentially unnecessary change for no good reason.

Evanivitch

26,402 posts

152 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
On that basis, why buy now? Why not wait until it dies of something terminal or disproportionately hard/expensive to fix?

What do they have now, and what makes it unsuitable for their needs?

"Fancy something else" is perfectly valid, but they shouldn't rationalise themselves into a potentially unnecessary change for no good reason.
Because when it does it might leave them stranded somewhere or without a car whilst they sort a new one...

Up and down Gears

Original Poster:

9 posts

35 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
Up and down Gears said:
Thanks all. The Captur is their favourite at the minute. They are more worried about buying a 'turd' as the car have now has been so reliable for 130k and only required consumables.
On that basis, why buy now? Why not wait until it dies of something terminal or disproportionately hard/expensive to fix?

What do they have now, and what makes it unsuitable for their needs?

"Fancy something else" is perfectly valid, but they shouldn't rationalise themselves into a potentially unnecessary change for no good reason.
Struggling to get it into gear. Obviously could be flywheel, gearbox, clutch or whatever. It's diesel and since retired just doesn't do the mileage. They have done 130k in it and think the car has 150k+. It's 64 plate.

I would personally go Kona or Leaf EV but they are worried about the unknown in few years. With an engine they are 'aware' of what costs etc can be.

ZX10R NIN

30,595 posts

155 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
Up and down Gears said:
Struggling to get it into gear. Obviously could be flywheel, gearbox, clutch or whatever. It's diesel and since retired just doesn't do the mileage. They have done 130k in it and think the car has 150k+. It's 64 plate.

I would personally go Kona or Leaf EV but they are worried about the unknown in few years. With an engine they are 'aware' of what costs etc can be.
In which case look for the best 1.3T Captur you can find, the 1.3 addresses the issues that the 1.2 could suffer with:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608145...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608195...

CX-3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607204...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604121...

InitialDave

15,132 posts

149 months

Sunday 23rd August
quotequote all
Up and down Gears said:
Struggling to get it into gear. Obviously could be flywheel, gearbox, clutch or whatever. It's diesel and since retired just doesn't do the mileage. They have done 130k in it and think the car has 150k+. It's 64 plate.
OK, unclear what 64 plate diesel it is, but yes, if it's getting finicky and they don't trust it, yes, I agree changing is probably the best course of action.

I think the suggestions in the thread are all pretty good, maybe a day out trying stuff for size and access/seating position etc is the best next course of action.

Up and down Gears

Original Poster:

9 posts

35 months

Monday 24th August
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
OK, unclear what 64 plate diesel it is, but yes, if it's getting finicky and they don't trust it, yes, I agree changing is probably the best course of action.

I think the suggestions in the thread are all pretty good, maybe a day out trying stuff for size and access/seating position etc is the best next course of action.
Mokka, 1.7. Appreciate the suggestions and are the same thought. All cars can leave you stranded I suppose and a risk buying other problems. Thanks