Next car for Parents

[junglie]

Good afternoon,

My parent's are looking for their next car.

They run a pair of Audi A3s (convertible and 4 door) but finding them less easy to get into and out of now. They are by no means on the heap but looking for something easier!

Budget tbc but not going to be a brand new Mercedes G Wagon but neither a 15 year old Ssanyong!

Size is not of critical concern and neither is economy. Reliability and comfort probably top of the list. If diesel, I think it should be 6 cylinder plus.

Used for usual 'retired' duties which will see some good 2 - 3 hour motorway journeys to see the family.

My thoughts:

- Lexus RX of some description.
- Infinity.
- Modern(ish) BMW X3 / 5.
- Volvo XC60 / 90.

I know a strict budget would be helpful but any ideas?

I am a fast estate / saloon man so not of much use to them!

Thanks,

Dan

[Welshbeef]

I’d also add auto is a must it’s relaxing to drive again making it easier for them.

F10 535d estate is a good shout.

[Pica-Pica]

junglie said:

Good afternoon,

My parent's are looking for their next car.

They run a pair of Audi A3s (convertible and 4 door) but finding them less easy to get into and out of now. They are by no means on the heap but looking for something easier!

Budget tbc but not going to be a brand new Mercedes G Wagon but neither a 15 year old Ssanyong!

Size is not of critical concern and neither is economy. Reliability and comfort probably top of the list. If diesel, I think it should be 6 cylinder plus.

Used for usual 'retired' duties which will see some good 2 - 3 hour motorway journeys to see the family.

My thoughts:

- Lexus RX of some description.
- Infinity.
- Modern(ish) BMW X3 / 5.
- Volvo XC60 / 90.

I know a strict budget would be helpful but any ideas?

I am a fast estate / saloon man so not of much use to them!

Thanks,

Dan

Well, recent Which? reports show XC90 as being very unreliable. A Lexus, the most reliable.
I probably fit their description, I have a BMW 335d. They sound as if would match the Lexus profile, probably!

[andburg]

if mobility is starting to become an issue then a tall 4x4 may actually be worse than a low car. I think that's why so many of the elderly round here even without motability seem to driving round in van based cars or small MPVs as they're specious and easy to get in/out of.

if they want to retain some premium branding maybe a BMW 2 series active tourer/ Merc B class or min countryman would fit the bill.

[SCEtoAUX]

Honda Jazz - Five million pensioners can't be wrong.

[Welshbeef]

BMW X5 M550d is a great offering - or the mere X5 4.0d

They could opt for the very nice 640d grand coupe

Or if they fancy something with a big more power E63 Wagon or C63 W205 or F10 M5.

[hernybilling26]

I think Infinity will be good for them

[A500leroy]

Something along the lines of a mokka or sandero stepway or fiesta active, not 4x4 high but not on the floor either.

[jwilco]

I would suggest looking at the Infinitis as they can be quite well priced, but you (or your parents) would have to live with the fact they are hideous.

If you're thinking of the Volvo route, I'd have thought the XC60 is plenty large enough. No love for the VAG - such as a Tiguan or Kodiaq?

[Pica-Pica]

andburg said:

if mobility is starting to become an issue then a tall 4x4 may actually be worse than a low car. I think that's why so many of the elderly round here even without motability seem to driving round in van based cars or small MPVs as they're specious and easy to get in/out of.

if they want to retain some premium branding maybe a BMW 2 series active tourer/ Merc B class or min countryman would fit the bill.

That type of car is a good shout. Sometimes taller cars such as SUVs can be too awkward to step down from.

[AndrewO]

I would give the X3/X5 a miss, the suspension is really hard and runflats don't help.

Honda Jazz CVT. Not sure at what age this is the default , my mum is 79 and she loves hers.

[clockworks]

As a couple of others have mentioned, a full-size SUV can be a bit tricky for older people to get in and out of, worse than a small car.

I sometimes drive my mum (early 80's) up to visit my sister. When she was still driving, we would meet up at Tesco, she'd leave her car there, and I'd take her to Plymouth. Mum had a Vauxhall Agila, which she could get in and out of OK.
She really struggled with my Touareg, as the seat was just too high for her.

[junglie]

Thanks for the replies so far - very helpful.

To add some more context. They are only mid 70s and still very active so not struggling hugely (at present).

There desire, I assume, is so they can just swing their legs out rather than having to go 'down and back' on something lower!

I have an F11 535d Touring as it happens Welshbeef, but that is no real difference to what they have now in terms of ease of access.

I had an old Discovery TD5 and that was perfect for them in terms of ease but too old.

They are tired of VAG products now on the whole but a Skoda Kodiaq might be an exception?

Lexus seem to answer many of questions but the new ones, with small petrol and EV, do not seem to get the best reviews.

[PSRG]

There’s a PHEV version of the MINi Countryman isn’t there? I’m not a fan of the Countryman, but when specc’ed right it’s got a pretty nice interior, it’s a decent height without being a huge car and there are dealers all over the place.

[ZX10R NIN]

Infinty QX30 basically a previous gen Mercedes GLA

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008222...

get them to try a normal Q30 as they sit higher than a standard A3: finding either will be hard as they're getting snapped up when coming up for sale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006099...

If a 6 pot diesel is the pick then the QX50/70 could be the picks:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010094...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009203...

Lexus NX300 F Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010074...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

[HocusPocus]

andburg said:

if mobility is starting to become an issue then a tall 4x4 may actually be worse than a low car. I think that's why so many of the elderly round here even without motability seem to driving round in van based cars or small MPVs as they're specious and easy to get in/out of.

if they want to retain some premium branding maybe a BMW 2 series active tourer/ Merc B class or min countryman would fit the bill.

+1 Bought my elderly in laws a B class auto, and they love the comfort, space and ease of access.

[roadie]

My dad's of a similar age and bought a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (225i X Drive). I like it a lot.

[FunkyNige]

junglie said:

They are tired of VAG products now on the whole but a Skoda Kodiaq might be an exception?

Does this rule out a Q3? If they are happy with the A3s but want something taller that's exactly what it is...

My parents got a Qashqai then a Kadjar for similar reasons - they can sit in and swing their legs across to get in. Both seem fine.

[gregd]

Audi Allroad? Slightly jacked but not too high..

[junglie]

A quick update.

Looking ‘around’ the £20,000 mark so I take that to mean up to £25k.

Most likely used to get the best VFM.

Still think a Lexus or Infiniti are the best candidates.