Appropriate Car for Older - Suggestions ?

Raven_k42

Evening All...and before you suggest a bus !!....
I'm trying to help my Dad (mid 70s) pick a replacement car. His '94 Escort with 24,000 miles is beginning to unravel. Anyway, requirements are:
a) Automatic
b) Smaller than the escort (footprint-wise) as he has to reverse it from a narrow lane into a back garden and the Escort is max fit that will go in
c) Something upright...my Mother is a similar age and can't be lowering hersef into anything low-profile...or even normal-profile !!.
I've been looking at the Meriva...same footprint as the old escort, Fusion...similar footprint as well. You can see I'm looking at something with a bit of height. What else might be a good choice in this market ?. Honda Jazz or the small Mitsubshi Colt ??. He still wants a little comfort etc...so no Pandas !.
Any help appreciated.
Many thanks, K

johnos1984

Citroen C3?

djimi

My grandfather has a new automatic Fiesta and he absolutely loves it. I cant vouch for what they are like overall, but he has had no issues with his whatsoever, its a nice comfortable car inside (feels bigger inside than it is) and its not a bad looker either.

colm_mcm

Ford fusion. Old people love em and the come in 1.4 auto.

Suzuki wagon r is really easy to get into as theres no sill to lift your leg over, nasty otherwise.

bazz26

Maybe the old Mazda 2:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201020198075301

Nissan Note:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201035199382487

Merc A Class:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201024198415169

opinion guy

Raven_k42 wrote: »

His '94 Escort with 24,000 miles is beginning to unravel

Holy crap. Only 24,000 on a 94 !? And its starting to unravel !?!?!?! Its barely out of the package!

johnos1984

opinion guy wrote: »

Holy crap. Only 24,000 on a 94 !? And its starting to unravel !?!?!?! Its barely out of the package!

Low miles doesn't always mean a car is in good condition

All rubbers will be in poor enough condition and the engine not getting a proper warm up when driven will lead to premature wear of parts

It will also knacker the cooling system as it doesn't get worked properly

opinion guy

johnos1984 wrote: »

Low miles doesn't always mean a car is in good condition

All rubbers will be in poor enough condition and the engine not getting a proper warm up when driven will lead to premature wear of parts

It will also knacker the cooling system as it doesn't get worked properly

Yeah fair enough. I guess it depends if its been getting proper services or not too

johnos1984

opinion guy wrote: »

Yeah fair enough. I guess it depends if its been getting proper services or not too

I find they tend not to in Ireland.

I've seen some great low mileage cars from Britain with an unbelievably detailed service history to go with them.

My last Rover was serviced ever 1k miles from new :eek:

OP sorry for digressing

opinion guy

johnos1984 wrote: »

My last Rover was serviced ever 1k miles from new :eek:

:eek:
Did you have connections with an Obsessive-Compulsive car owners club or something ?

johnos1984

opinion guy wrote: »

:eek:
Did you have connections with an Obsessive-Compulsive car owners club or something ?

I'm saying nothing.........there was even extra pages stuck in to the service book.

It was fully serviced from new.

I love reading the histories that come with them.....I'll get my anorak now

bijapos

Raven_k42 wrote: »

a) Automatic
b) Smaller than the escort (footprint-wise) as he has to reverse it from a narrow lane into a back garden and the Escort is max fit that will go in
c) Something upright...my Mother is a similar age and can't be lowering hersef into anything low-profile...or even normal-profile !!.

VW Golf Plus. My parents drove Polos for years and like your own they needed something that they don't have to climb up or down, to get in or out of. They come in automatic, are upright, very easy to drive and would be probably only a couple of centimetres bigger than, or the same size as an Escort.

My parents live down the country, very bumpy bog roads all around but the Golf "sits" on them way better than any other car in its class. Very comfortable on long distances too.

langdang

The Fusion auto is probably your best bet. C-Max is probably too big, but would have a good height I'd say.
I get the impression that the new Micras are higher seated and bigger than you'd think. In fact Nissan have buckets of OAP appeal cars - Note? Tiida?

peasant

Another potential candidate is the Suzuki Ignis, not too many automatics around though

listermint

My grandfather has the Nissan Note, and frankly its ideal. it has great all round vision. Upright driving position, very easy to handle (light steering) and has never given a days trouble since he's had it. Its 3 years old now.

Only problem is the minor scrapes (hes not great with the pillars at home)

But i think its an ideal car for someone of that age. :cool:

murphyebass

Fiat Panda.

Pros

>Smaller than the escort which you want but still loads of room. Nice and tall as well.

>Very easy to drive. Even has a city drive mode making the steering even lighter round town.

>Low tax, Low fuel usage, Low initial price or incredibly low second hand.

Con

>Quite ugly.

Would an OAP really care??

Tea 1000

The Ford Fusion is one of the most ghastly cars out there. Fords worst since the Escort!
I'd go with the Honda Jazz. Best car in it's class, exceptionally reliable.

Raven_k42

...for all the replies. Plenty for me to go on...and hopefully of some use to others too !. Thanks again, K.