Easy access car?

DaveyDave

Hi all,

My mam is looking for a car that is a bit more accessible to get in and out of. She's currently driving an i30 automatic diesel which is paddy spec. I don't think there's much value in them, I think the budget is about €19k including the car.

It needs to be an automatic and she drives very little so obviously petrol/hybrid. She's renting so doesn't have an option of electric. There needs to be room for an ISOFIX child seat.

I'm looking for some ideas of what models she could look at. The main thing is that it needs to be easy to get in and out of and automatic. She's going to import it from the UK.

She's looking for bluetooth, alloys, parking sensors (ideally front and back) and a rear view camera. It doesn't have to be a crossover but it needs to be easy in and out. Any ideas?

As I mentioned no electric and no Dacias

kerten

It is either crossover or mpv class you are looking at. There are many models in the market that you can look at online. I would point to another aspect though. Type of automatic gearbox she is used to/like. There are four types of automatic gearboxes.

- Torque convertor : most reliable, worst for performance and fuel economy/emissions
- CVT : reliable in general, good for comfort abd fuel economy/emission
- Dual clutch : IMHO reliability is not par with above and expensive to sort out but less issues in Irish climate and traffic pattern, wouldn't drive one out of factory warranty, great for performance and fuel economy/emissions.
- Single Clutch (Don't buy them old technology phasing out. Pre-2015 Peugeot/citroens have them I guess. And Toyota MMT if they still produce those.

Her i30 should be a torque converter auto unless it is one of the latest models with DCT(dual clutch transmission). Those are different technologies and behave differently. So I would research and explain this to her before testing/buying models. DSG/DCT/EDC/Powershift are keywords pointing to dual clutch gearbox in different brands.

Most non-car people won't notice the difference in short test drive but they probably will notice it after buying the car.

DaveyDave

Yeah I'm clued up on transmissions, unfortunately hers is a torque converter even though it's a 2015 model so missed out on the DCT.

To be fair though she does such little mileage, I jokingly told her she could get a GTI and it wouldn't be expensive to run.

I'm just really not familiar with accessibility in cars. I'm sure there's some cars out there that are easier than others.

Fuel economy isn't a major factor but reliability would be ideal as she's planning on keeping it for the long run.

bazz26

Honda Jazz:

https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1851245&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D32%26o%5B%5D%3D289%26f%3D1%26t%3D2%26pp%3D50%26g%3D1

They have a higher driving position and more headroom than a normal small car so getting in and out should be that bit easier for her. Typical Honda reliability too so nothing to worry about there.

kerten

I would look at Yaris, ix20, Jazz, HR-V, Captur, Mokka, 2008, Crossland X(not sure if it is in budget beiyng a new model) for ease of access and driving around.

biko

Go to a large local dealer or two and test sit in a few likely cars

DaveyDave

Had a look around a few places today. First was EP Mooney Hyundai to look at the Kona, auto is €29k with a backlog so not sure if it could be discounted much. Had a look at the ix25 and it looked alright but apparently they're €25k new but they're lacking spec essentially being an i20 so not too sure about rear camera etc.

Salesman couldn't give a ****e. Wasn't helpful and they obviously don't want to sell a petrol automatic for whatever reason. Only mentioned new cars so I'm not sure why he wasn't interested. He was trying to push her into another i30 but she needs a taller car for accessibility.

Kia Stonic looks nice but is MY15 so outdated, not available in auto in Ireland or UK at all. Sportage too big, diesel auto only.

Opel, mid spec Mokka seems ok, it's €28k I believe so one of the cheaper list prices. One of the few cars we've looked at that aren't new models so available second hand. Apparently there won't be any autos for test drive as they're strictly order only? Crossland also an option but very slow, 0-16 in 14 seconds...

VW T-Roc, auto is paired with the 1.5 150hp so paddy spec model is €4k more. No option of rear view camera on paddy spec. They just won't let you! Not good at €29k and steel wheels.

Toyota CHR, poor visibility, pricey etc.

Haven't looked at Peugeot yet, 2008 seems in the price range but apparently not a very nice car. 3008 bit pricey. I'm not sure what Seat and Skoda have to offer yet.

All in all not a very productive day. It's also difficult as we don't know the value of her car yet and will obviously vary dealer to dealer. Budget is probably max €25k and it doesn't help some of the crossovers are new so no secondhand, 2018 yet if you want a petrol they still look at you as if you're from Mars.

Also, Jesus there's nowhere to park in these dealers. I got the ONLY parking spot in Kia Liffey Valley, lots of cars double parked etc. Not fun.

The search continues. Going to have to look at spec properly, probably get some sort of list going and prices, extras, delivery etc. Then keep an eye out for secondhand.

Nuw

I'd look a tthe new C4 Cactus, it now comes with a proper autobox instead of automated manual. It's probably the most comfy seats one can gets his hands on (apart from high-end stuff) and should be easy to get in and out of.

bazz26

Suzuki Vitara:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1726171&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D85%26o%5B%5D%3D714%26f%3D1%26t%3D2%26g%3D0

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1922866&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D58%26o%5B%5D%3D893%26f%3D1%26t%3D2%26g%3D0

Honda HRV:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1654018&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D32%26o%5B%5D%3D286%26f%3D1%26t%3D2%26g%3D0

Mooooo

Aunt Got a b class Merc as easier to get in and out off may be no harm to check.

Sesame

You'd get a good deal on a hybrid if you import as the VRT is much less than petrol.
And supposed to hold value to as they are. Becoming more the popular.
You can get a Toyota CHR import for around your budget with some mileage.
The Toyota hybrid range include the Yaris, Auris, and CHR. Obviously first two are lower but more affordable too.

Sesame

Forgot to add, for UK import and to include your extras like parking sensors front and back, camera, etc, look for the Toyota Excel model.
You can filter Auto trader.co.uk by Fuel type so try hybrid and see what comes up in your budget allowing around €1.5k for VRT

DaveyDave

Yaris would be too small, CHR is also quite small in the back and very dark inside with very poor visibility. Nice car, but oddly Toyota are trying to save money as the passenger seat wasn't height adjustable. Not an issue, just something I find annoying in modern cars especially as the model I sat in had heated leather seats...

The Seat Arona seems a very good car and is about €24k top spec new, although I think she was told by Seat there's a very, very long wait time for them being a VAG DSG. Ibiza size so smaller overall car but apparently roomy on the back, decent boot etc. Not quite as refined as an VW but still better than the rivals.

She's very keen on the Mokka as there's a 171 in a local dealer. She hasn't done any homework on these cars in terms of reviews or anything and Opel don't have a good track record recently. The reviews I've seen of the Mokka aren't good.

She's not thinking about the fact she'll be holding onto this car for a good few years unfortunately. I know the market for petrol automatics is kinda crap but there's no need to jump into a Mokka...

Greybottle

Large wide opening doors are as important as seat height. Ideally she will want a car where the she does not have to climb up into or out of.

I had this issue with my Dad. Golf Plus fitted the bill at the time perfectly, so check it's successor the Sportsvan. You won't get a new one for that budget, but try looking for a second hand one off a VW dealer with a warranty.

As somebody above said, go to a dealer and try several models of car to see what suits her best.

ongarite

Skoda Yeti Outdoor with 1.2 Turbo DSG box.

Mentioned it before, my parents have one.
My mother is the main user and loves the ease of access & small bit of extra height without the big size of a SUV/crossover

Redderneck

ongarite wrote: »

Skoda Yeti Outdoor with 1.2 Turbo DSG box.

Mentioned it before, my parents have one.
My mother is the main user and loves the ease of access & small bit of extra height without the big size of a SUV/crossover

Snap! My folks just got one a few weeks back. Cracking car. Boxy, with straight angles, lots of glass and with all that plus the sensors/camera a doddle to park.

Driven it and drives well. Like the DSG and the 1.2 is plenty. Just a really solid buy IMHO.

Wide door openings, but door isn't heavy/heavily sprung so doesn't kick back or require two or three hefty shoves to open properly.

Height such that you sit into/out of it, rather than down into it/climb up into it or out of it.

Keithod11

The honda jazz is easy to get in and out of, doors open wide and good cabin height.

AMKC

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is certainly worth a look. It comes with an 8 year warranty and is a really good looking car.
Skoda Octavia scout is another car worth considering.

Fiat 500X is also a very good,stylish underrated car.