New Car for Older Dad - Suggestions?

iCat · 15-07-2008, 12:04 AM

Howdy All

My dad is in the market for a new small car, and I am after suggestions. He is over 70, and has all the usual afflictions associated with old age, so we are after a car which is smallish, easy to handle, good visibility all round, large doors to get in and out. Seats need to be comfortable and high, as is needed by those who are not so able bodied. He is not interested in the latest gadgets on a car: air and heating, power steering, that'd be about it to keep dad happy I reckon.

Dad is a big bloke, and dispite his age, is pretty strong. ie, the car needs to be strong.

Any experience or suggestions? Ford or otherwise?

cheers!

XR8putts · 15-07-2008, 12:12 AM

Suzuki Swift. Bloody good car, if thats too small then the Mazda 3.

Sadly in my experience none of the Ford's I've driven in that segment (Fiesta/Focus) are as good as the two above.

I'd suggest you and your old man spend a Saturday test driving a few cars in that segment, he'll have a good time and nothing like spending time with your father talking/driving cars, no matter what the cc rating is

El Sucio · 15-07-2008, 12:44 AM

Mazda 3 in manual form is hard to go past. Better than the equivalent focus, and cheaper than the Volvo.

The Astra is also a great car. I had one for 2 weeks when I went to the UK (in Vauxhall badging) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The i30 Hyundai is a larger car than the Mazda 3 or the Astra...although you could also look at the Mazda 6 in this category...probably one of the bext value for money cars on the market now. I would happily own one of them.

Get him a Mazda 6.

Martyvan · 15-07-2008, 01:03 AM

Get the cardigan out, for a Corolla..... you sit higher in them, they are easier to get into and out of, and the style of the car suits all older generation......

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Sucio

Mazda 3 in manual form is hard to go past. Better than the equivalent focus, and cheaper than the Volvo.

Would you seriously give a 70 year old a manual???

El Sucio · 15-07-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martyvan

Would you seriously give a 70 year old a manual???

Yeah true that Martyvan...what was I thinking.

Anything with an auto, and not too gutless as the oldies only use a third throttle at the most.

jaydee · 15-07-2008, 01:10 AM

Yep, if he can afford a bit more the Mazda 3 is top of the list IMO, got one for my old Mum and she loves it.
Corrolla is cheaper but still a great car and reliable, however the 3 will have a better resale value.

iCat · 15-07-2008, 01:54 AM

thanks for the suggestions. it's good hearing the pro's and cons of models. do you think the Mazda 3 has ample door room? regarding entrance and exit? dad's had a hip replacement and finds it really difficult to get in and out of cars. the car this is replacing is a 1980 crummydoor ... and yes, manual out of the question!

he did mention he liked the astra and corolla ...

Bearman · 15-07-2008, 09:25 AM

Would a small SUV type vehicle fit the bill?? A higher floor car may allow him easier access in and out.

**ebxr8240** · 15-07-2008, 11:18 AM

Yes a smaller car can be pita to get in and out of. Especially with sports seats.. My dad nearly lost his jewels getting out of my EB XR even though there's plenty of room..
I'd strongly consider an auto as hearing engine rpm and clutch can be an issue with new quiet quick revving engines..
Small SUV type? Subaru Forester ?? Type.. Something where seating isn't too low to get in and out of..The Suzy and Mazda's are top cars...
Reverse sensers are a good thing too. As they cannot turn there neck around as well etc..

Hang on !!! That sounds like what I need .. Ooops...

DA68ZA · 15-07-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iCat

thanks for the suggestions. it's good hearing the pro's and cons of models. do you think the Mazda 3 has ample door room? regarding entrance and exit? dad's had a hip replacement and finds it really difficult to get in and out of cars. the car this is replacing is a 1980 crummydoor ... and yes, manual out of the question!

he did mention he liked the astra and corolla ...

Thought about a yaris 3 door , very easy to get in and out also its quite big inside ... New corolla is ok , i don't think much of the auto , but in saying that the oldies wont notice it though ...

Peter B - CV8 · 15-07-2008, 11:58 AM

How much driving does he do ???? Some of the smaller/newer cars are fairly $$$$ for what you get.
My Dad is 85 & still driving (and driving quite well). He has a 1992 Magna (3 litre, auto) - and its been the most reliable car. You could probably pick one up for around $4k, and if he is only driving local (down to the shops etc) then the fuel cost is pretty irrelevant. They are a good sized car, easy to get in & out of etc.

GlennBA · 15-07-2008, 02:33 PM

Mazda 3 neo, or ford focus, or maybe even toyota corolla. I've got a neo for the time being and i cannot fault it.

daz82 · 15-07-2008, 02:35 PM

Just bought my grandparents an LT series LX Focus Automatic. Full safety kit and metalic paint. He is rapt with it as it is easier to drive and get in and out of than his older Mondeo. Papa finds it easier to park, get in and out of and drive in because he sits up a bit higher. My Mama is against anything new, unlike Papa, but she has been driving it as well.

Controls are easy to use and understand, the main reason he wanted the Focus and not a smaller car was that it "didn't feel like a tin can"

Yellow_Festiva · 15-07-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iCat

thanks for the suggestions. it's good hearing the pro's and cons of models. do you think the Mazda 3 has ample door room? regarding entrance and exit? dad's had a hip replacement and finds it really difficult to get in and out of cars. the car this is replacing is a 1980 crummydoor ... and yes, manual out of the question!

he did mention he liked the astra and corolla ...

Hey mate. Regarding the ease of getting out of a car, I have seen a seat retro fitted to swivel towards the door, like it was bolted to a lazy susan.

Don't know if it was a home made job or something you can go and get professionally fitted, but it looked to work a treat.

Food for thought??

Smoke Pursuit · 15-07-2008, 02:42 PM

AH Astra is the best out of all of them I have found.. For Build quality and standard equipment (5 Star safety rating) you really cant beat it. Its got side airbags, alloys, cruise control, abs etc.

Im a big boy and I can easily fit in an Astra.

Feathers · 15-07-2008, 02:47 PM

I saw an older man today at the servo in a Mazda 2.
The square shaped one before the current model.
He didn't seem to have any dramas getting in and out, yet walking across to pay for his fuel he was on a walking stick, not looking to be very mobile.

They're not bad for the size. A friend owns one and we've had 3 people in the back comfortably.

Wally · 15-07-2008, 04:28 PM

Honda for the cardigan brigade.

Powdered Toast Man · 15-07-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martyvan

Would you seriously give a 70 year old a manual???

My dad's nearly 70 (66) and he drives his manual courier one tonner tray like its high performance race car lol.

He's a lead foot and if the tyres aren't squealing while on a roundabout he knows he's going too slow.

Not a BA/BF is all I can say (or an AU either probably) as I find it difficult getting in and out of the stupidly shaped door apperture, and I'm a (reasonably) fit 29 year old

:

Abacus · 15-07-2008, 05:58 PM

Another vote for the Astra.

Bloody good car.

I'm 179cm and 122kg and I have no trouble getting in and out of an Astra.

The hatch area is easy to load up, and all round visibility is probably the best you will find.

Build quality is excellent.

Damn.

I think I've just talked myself into buying one.

melbzetec · 15-07-2008, 05:59 PM

I'd check out a Honda Civic. Big inside, easy to get in and out of. It will last him. Plus speedo is BIG digital numbers...easy to read.

Not as expensive as people think. About $22,000.

Martyvan · 15-07-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

I'd check out a Honda Civic. Big inside, easy to get in and out of. It will last him. Plus speedo is BIG digital numbers...easy to read.

Not as expensive as people think. About $22,000.

+ Resale Value at the other end................ You know a Honda, driven to the shops on Sundays and 30,000km after 4 years is going to fetch a handsome sum!

Thats a big plus over the Corolla... the only question is, are the Honda's a bit lower than the Corolla? i.e. easier to get into and out of...

Powdered Toast Man · 15-07-2008, 06:03 PM

How about any of the small soft roaders? Should be reasonably easy to get into being high off the ground but not too high like a large 4WD, they have large glass areas and you sit high in them so have a good view of the road/traffic.

boss-290 · 15-07-2008, 06:32 PM

You can't drive a v8 so bad luck.

Thank your P plate predecessors

boss-290 · 15-07-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boss-290

You can't drive a v8 so bad luck.

Thank your P plate predecessors

LMFAO wrong thread sorry!!!!!

BAxtER · 15-07-2008, 07:48 PM

hyundai i30 diesel..very roomy and great car to drive! Very economical too.

pauljh74 · 15-07-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

My dad's nearly 70 (66) and he drives his manual courier one tonner tray like its high performance race car lol.

He's a lead foot and if the tyres aren't squealing while on a roundabout he knows he's going too slow.

Not a BA/BF is all I can say (or an AU either probably) as I find it difficult getting in and out of the stupidly shaped door apperture, and I'm a (reasonably) fit 29 year old

:

Makes you wonder how he drove when he was a young fellow!

burnz · 15-07-2008, 07:59 PM

my old man's in the same boat, 74 and want's a new car.
i suggested a camry, he threatend to jam my head up my a.se ..
he want's a senator sig but in a V6 i just laughed. eight's only old man.

TURBOTAXI · 15-07-2008, 08:30 PM

Dad died five years ago at 73, but he drove a 91 Camry but he was mobile right up until the last week he was alive.

Auslandau · 15-07-2008, 08:43 PM

I am buying a car for my ol' man at the moment. He wants a G6E, but now he is thinking of a BF GT .... run out. Was looking at the GT-P but it took him 10 bloody painfull (for me) minutes to get out of over the bolsters in the seat! He is 73. Mum just tells him his a bloody fool and grow up but I say go for it and have some fun and as it will be his last car

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S3SR · 15-07-2008, 08:55 PM

itd be a hard choice between the mitsubishi lancer, toyota corolla and the mazda 3

well all fit me comfortably and i WANT space, hence the falcon, i dont feel like ill be crushed to death in either in an accident or killed because the doors are made of crepe paper

only driven the 3 cars in auto form, for which a 70yr old would be more suited to

the corolla - bit sluggish but neither is a formula 1 car
- the driver rear view mirror makes your eyes go funny, as though it was meant for the left hand mirror and it was concaved before fitting
have driven 3 different models 2 hatches and 1 sedan - the ac is bloody good!!!
the hatch fits 4 overgrown men in easily and the doors even stay attached after everyone is slamming them to stop the beeping for the passenger seatbelt alarm LOL

the mitsubishi - the worst noise ever to come from a autobox, sounds like a bag of marbles in a blender
fuel econ is in the high single digits
all the features are hard to use had to revert to the user manual - just gave up
my sister owns one and it has 2 yes two rear spoilers on the bootlid LOLs

the mazda 3
a mate worked at a dealership and everything from the 3/neo/sp23/mps they seemed ok but were missing the ergonomic design for us big people.... seats were like a bit of timber with cloth over it - design was almost exactly the same as the mitsubishi
the sp23 felt smoother than the mitsubishi

the lancer has $1000 free fuel or some promotion i think
the mazda are having some sort of bonus
the corolla are always doing something well here anyways

the car i could live with would be the corolla - no unwanted attention from cops (stereotyped grandpa car) - cheap on fuel - is quite comfortable - i guess also has the reliable name to it , i say chuck him in all of them HE has to like it and live with it