What car...for my mum!

[paulmoonraker]

Hi all,

So, my mother needs a new car now the 12 year old Mondeo has finally died. I should say from the outset, that she does not look after cars, and has a propensity to drive into fixed objects like bollards etc. Once she reversed my dads new Mondeo estate into a post, the same post, not once, not twice, but three times! Eventually sealing the boot firmly shut...

It needs to have doors to the rear seats so she can ferry nan and grandad around, be reasonable on fuel, petrol (only 5K miles per year, if that) and be a manual. Budget - up to 8K...

The Ford Focus 1.6 seems an obvious choice, however, I dont know how reliable these are...

Thanks...

[Shaw Tarse]

Honda Jazz?

[Meths]

Ditto on the honda jazz

[wemorgan]

Have you asked what she wants?

[paulmoonraker]

I hadn't thought of that. Let's have a look!

[Jasandjules]

The red one.

[paulmoonraker]

wemorgan said:

Have you asked what she wants?

Of course! A small hatchback, good on fuel, with rear doors.

I looked at the Jazz, but the interior looks a bit.... Japanese

[Grenoble]

Lease a VW Up for £60 a month and hand it back every 3 years (less damage costs)

Or A class Merc, wheel at each corner, high driving position, quite comfy.

[McSam]

Jasandjules said:

The red one.

That's pretty much what this one comes down to, I think..

You just need to show her a few examples and see what she likes the look of.

[Spanna]

Dacia Sandero with black plastic bumpers and steel wheels.

[paulmoonraker]

Grenoble said:

Lease a VW Up for £60 a month and hand it back every 3 years (less damage costs)

Or A class Merc, wheel at each corner, high driving position, quite comfy.

Less damage costs

Probably a non starter!

[paulmoonraker]

McSam said:

Jasandjules said:

The red one.

That's pretty much what this one comes down to, I think..

You just need to show her a few examples and see what she likes the look of.

She is appalling at making decisions....

[eltax91]

Given the lack of care and mechanical sympathy, something Japanese. Honda jazz, or maybe a civic. Else a Nissan. The wife has a qashqai, high up driving position, not much overhang to reduce chances of reversing calamities. Only had it a few months, but feels like it'll go on forever.

[csampo]

Something Japanese if she isn't into maintenance. My dad is a good driver, but maintenance is not a strong point. Current Quashqai seems up to the task.

paulmoonraker said:

Once she reversed my dads new Mondeo estate into a post, the same post, not once, not twice, but three times! Eventually sealing the boot firmly shut...

Fit some (loud) parking sensors for £100...