Multi purpose/disability vehicle(s) recommendations

[Cogcog]

Would appreciate your thoughts on a potential vehicle change.

My father in law is 83, he lives with us and is finally thinking about hanging up the car keys which is our chance to think again about our cars. He is struggling to get in and out of his 2013 Merc E220 as he has had knee replacements. He only does about 2000 miles a year ( a weekly shopping trip and a few doctors visits). My wife is now at home full time and can do his driving.

At the moment I have a reliable but 2005 high mileage Mercedes E320 which is my long distance workhorse but which spends most of its time sat on the drive or at the station as i work away alot and use the train, and my wife has a 2012 Smart car she loves.

I think we need to think about what we do when he gives up driving. We have the 3 cars and about £10k to spend. I tend to keep cars for long periods (I have had the E320 for 10 years) and have preferred the better quality brands ( Volvo, Audi, Merc).

We need a family vehicle capable of moving the three of us and 2 small dogs with enough leg room for his knees and for him to get in and out of with ease. I need to be use it for my long distance runs ( I do about 15k a year) so it cannot be heavy on fuel or excise duty. We need a small hatchback for our local running about, such as the doctor's visits but it still needs to allow the FiL to get in and out easily on the odd trips that I have the family car.

Both have to be auto as my wife only has an auto licence.

My thoughts at the moment have been to get a SUV to give the height for him to slide in and out of and give some leg room, and room for the dogs along with a 3 door hatchback which would give him the bigger doors for his knees. I could also keep the smart car and just get one new family vehicle. i have even considred a people carrier like a Vito Traveliner for ease of access and leg room.

Ideas?

[veccy208]

Definitely something 'taller' like a crossover or small mpv but test them out before buying as some can be too high to get in and out of. What about a focus cmax/smax type. I know you like the more premium brands but I'd venture to say you might be surprised how comfy and well the above would drive. Well within budget too. If fuel economy is important is tend to stay away from 4wd awd.
Just some simple thoughts from me hope they are helpful

[kiethton]

I'd keep the smart and look at something like a Volco XC60

Veyr comfortable, that little bit higher for access oh and very, very comfortable.

Other than that something Lexus Hybrid shaped should also work well

[Cogcog]

veccy208 said:

Definitely something 'taller' like a crossover or small mpv but test them out before buying as some can be too high to get in and out of. What about a focus cmax/smax type. I know you like the more premium brands but I'd venture to say you might be surprised how comfy and well the above would drive. Well within budget too. If fuel economy is important is tend to stay away from 4wd awd.
Just some simple thoughts from me hope they are helpful

I had started looking at the crossovers. Based on a SUv, low miles, wanting a 2.0 litre plus engine and budget Autotrader was suggesting a BMW X1, Mazda CX5 or the Pug 2008. Not sure the Pug is my kind of car!

[Cogcog]

kiethton said:

I'd keep the smart and look at something like a Volco XC60

Veyr comfortable, that little bit higher for access oh and very, very comfortable.

Other than that something Lexus Hybrid shaped should also work well

I looked at the X60 etc. Lots of them had premature wear to the door edge of the drivers seat, as if people were lifting themselves up on them, so I thought the height may be too high. Lexus and Infiniti gave decent MPG.

[austinsmirk]

VW Caravelle is still probably the ultimate do it all car/van.

but wow, the prices !!

[Cold]

Is Dad a car guy who will enjoy the process of buying a new car? Because your best bet will be to show him the models on the shortlist and see how he gets on with each one.

[ZX10R NIN]

What about a Mercedes R Class for you, they sit higher than the E Class but not as high as a XC60/Kuga SUV's & are longer than the E so access for your dad should be easier.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

For your wife maybe a Golf Plus with the slightly bigger body your dad should have easy access:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Cogcog]

ZX10R NIN said:

What about a Mercedes R Class for you, they sit higher than the E Class but not as high as a XC60/Kuga SUV's & are longer than the E so access for your dad should be easier.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

For your wife maybe a Golf Plus with the slightly bigger body your dad should have easy access:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I did think aboiut the R class but the fuel consumption on my long runs and the VEL put me off a bit. I thought about afew of the less obvious fuel hungry models; Nissan Murano, Suburu Tribeca, Ssayong Rexton.