A Car for Older People

ozbargainsam on 05/11/2020 - 19:52

Ageing parents are wanting to swap down from their relatively massive Kluger. They don't drive much (rural town so any trip covers some distance) but I'd like them to have as safe a car as possible.

Their basic wants:

  • not a low or high car they have to sit down or climb into. Basically means it'll be a small SUV
  • easy to park (some amount of self-parking preferred)

My wants for them:

  • auto front emergency braking
  • a HUD or a speedo that is higher to keep their eyes closer to the road

Otherwise standard safety stuff like side airbags and ESC.

Budget: call it in the vicinity of $30k. Either recent model (1-2yo) or new with a billion years of warranty.

If no such car exists with that budget just list the next cheapest option. I have a suspicion that it's more like 40k what I'm asking for.

Thanks!

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 05/11/2020 - 20:05
    +2

    #associated

    https://www.toyota.com.au/yaris-cross

    Approx $30k starting price

    They don't need a HUD or self-parking, as it's highly likely they'll complain if they press a button and hit the wrong setting ;)

    This has a giant digital speedo

    • ozbargainsam on 05/11/2020 - 20:35

      Interesting. Didn't even know about this model. Yaris is growing up!

      • elgrande on 05/11/2020 - 20:53
        +8

        Yep.. and just like a kid growing up its asking for more money..

        • xuqi on 06/11/2020 - 01:14
          +3

          Waaayy more money.

  • AustriaBargain on 05/11/2020 - 20:33
    -2

    How often do they drive and do they live in a city? Could be cheaper or more convenient to get an uber everywhere. If it's good enough for young people then it may suit your parents too. And it feels nice to be driven around, to get a little intoxicated before being driven around, use the time to catch up on emails, or whatever. How long until cars start driving themselves and this is all a non issue anyway. 40k, plus saved insurance fees and stuff, will buy you a lot of uber and train trips.

    • ozbargainsam on 05/11/2020 - 20:38

      Rural. Rideshare doesn't exist there. They tend to make many stops on a trip out to the town.

      I understand the concept. And I have considered it myself in lieu of my next high yield investment.

      • AustriaBargain on 05/11/2020 - 20:39

        Damn that's a shame, so it isn't even an option. It could be 10 years or more before uber have a fleet of self driving cars in Australia to keep rural areas covered by an algorithm that keeps cars within reach. Knowing regulation in Australia, maybe 20 years.

        • elgrande on 05/11/2020 - 20:55

          Fingers crossed..

  • loropy9 on 05/11/2020 - 20:53
    +1

    https://www.pngegg.com/en/png-zlqwp

    Perfect for older people living rural…

    • ozbargainsam on 05/11/2020 - 21:33
      +1

      Ah, the original self-driving transport.

  • Willco88 on 05/11/2020 - 20:55

    Simple car, cheap and reliable to repair, anything like Toyota Camry, Corolla, or Hyundai

  • Stewardo on 05/11/2020 - 21:11
    -1

    Hyundai Kona active
    Mazda cx3 Stouring

    • ozbargainsam on 05/11/2020 - 21:41
      +1

      Huh. 'Stouring' wasn't a typo.

      Need to judge that Kona interior for myself in-person.

      • Stewardo on 05/11/2020 - 22:52
        +1

        Sorry, sTouring

  • modsec802 on 05/11/2020 - 21:53

    VW T-Cross - has automatic parking

  • plmko on 05/11/2020 - 21:56
    +3

    You want the Subaru XV.

    My old man put to me best about it : "familiar style and layout to a regular car but just jacked up for easy ingress and no the chunky look."

    Very safe car, lots of auto nanny features and has useful AWD for the worst roads. My old man also loves the forward vision as the bonnet swoops low and A pillars are open style.

    • bataleon on 05/11/2020 - 22:07

      +1 for the XV, my folks have had the last 2 gens and they love them. Oh, and the flat grey colour that the XV comes in is beautiful.

      • pegaxs on 05/11/2020 - 22:39
        +1

        Every time I see a car in that grey colour, it always looks like they stuffed up and just put clear coat over the primer.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2020 - 09:19

      Yep. XV is the answer.

  • bdl on 05/11/2020 - 22:37
    +6

    RAV4 with no roof racks

  • pegaxs on 05/11/2020 - 23:19
    +3

    2012 Toyota Camry in either Burgundy or Powder Blue

    • MS Paint on 06/11/2020 - 13:23

      With lift kit

      • pegaxs on 06/11/2020 - 14:24

        Crochet tissue box cover for the rear window parcel shelf, a throw rug over the rear seat and 4" thick sheepskin front car seat and steering wheel covers…

  • Ryanek on 06/11/2020 - 09:04
    +1

    Kia Seltos
    * Seven-year unlimited km warranty
    * Best in its class for technology and infotainment
    * Pedestrian and cyclist detection.
    * Adaptive cruise, driver attention alert

    • ozbargainsam on 06/11/2020 - 22:21

      Colour HUD. Wireless CarPlay (MY21).

      Sweet. (yes, it's the top trim, and 43-46k, but nevertheless, sweet)

  • Candour on 06/11/2020 - 09:20

    subaru liberty on sale would be good. John Cadogan reviews cars and also can negotiate them for you . google him.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2020 - 10:51

      OP said not too high or too low. A liberty is as low as any other sedan or hatch.

      • pegaxs on 06/11/2020 - 14:32

        And added to that, John Codogan is a tool. Have tried to use his "AuToExPeRt" web site on three different occasions and he has never been able to "SaVe mE ThOuSaNdZ!!" (last quote was for $7,000 more than what a dealer was quoting me)

        He was much better when he didn't pander to the lowest common denominator on YouTube with the "Yea-he-hehessssss", "STRAYYYYYYA", "Retardistan", "shitsvillian micro-peso" and "MaKe AuStRaLiA LeSS sHiT" crap he carries on with now (along with the "hotties" he only puts in there for views)

        Anything of importance the guy has to say is lost in a sea of, as he would put it, "(fropanity)-wittery".

        • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2020 - 16:05

          I do agree mostly but I'm pretty sure he's poking fun at Australian male macho car culture (a few things at once) with all those jokes, rather than it being stuff he actually means.

          It is a shame though because he's clearly a smart bloke with some very useful insights. That's when discussing things he isn't trying to make a buck off, of course.

          I can't stand the "hotties" either. That's a bit ridiculous.

  • Melb69 on 06/11/2020 - 22:01

    Just putting this out there for OPs consideration. Worth a look. https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/bmw/2-series/f45-series/new…

    • ozbargainsam on 06/11/2020 - 22:19
      +1

      I mean, the suggestion technically meets the 'budget' criteria. But it misses all of the others by a wide margin.

      A new 2-series or X1 isn't out of reach, but it's just a woefully unwise choice.

      • Melb69 on 06/11/2020 - 22:51
        -1

        I know you were looking for new, but this used one is worth a look as highly specced AT. The F45 series is more ppl mover style hatch. If you look the features your folks may like it. Reasonable low milage. Euro choice. Not everyone has to drive a Jap or Korean car.

  • ozbargainsam on 06/11/2020 - 22:04

    So basically, we're looking at every small SUV out there on the market. And technology has been trickling down nicely. The Kia Seltos has wireless carplay?!

    I'm a terrible sucker for going up the line, even when I'm shopping for someone else. I'll be visiting some dealerships over the coming weeks.

    Thanks everyone for their suggestions and their +votes.

    • spackbace on 09/11/2020 - 14:54

      The Kia Seltos has wireless carplay?!

      Not that plugging in is difficult, plus carplay will drain the battery anyway so not a bad thing being plugged in…

  • ShannonN on 07/11/2020 - 00:58
    +1

    When you say ageing, just what age are we talking about, I ask as if the folks are in the 60s they have 15 odd years of safe alert driving left, if they are 80 not so
    and may benefit from just anything to get from a to b

    • ozbargainsam on 07/11/2020 - 06:40
      +1

      Fair call. I mean 80+ years.

      This is a rural area so there's less aggressive driving, no multiple lane roads, generally more space, and lower pace of driving.

      They pass their yearly driving tests fine.

  • ozbargainsam on 08/11/2020 - 18:06
    +1

    Reporting back, I went and saw these cars today:

    • Subaru XV (whatever the top trim was)
    • VW T-cross (dealer wasn't open; peep through window) (unknown trim)
    • Mazda CX-30 (Astina, top trim)
    • Toyota CH-R (Yaris Cross wasn't available…not that anyone wanted to help me) (some trim that included 'leather') - also wins the award for the worst dashboard. I was literally offended by how bad it was.
    • Kia Seltos (GT, top trim?)
    • Hyundai Kona (HIghlander, top trim)

    I currently own a previous gen Mazda 3 Astina, and have to say that barring the Mazda, the dashboard/driver area were the most bland, cheap-looking, uninspired interiors I've seen. It's like Mazda made a well thought, premium interior and took that down their line, while all the others started with their base cheap interior and added tech to make higher trim levels.

    Post will probably rub owners of the above the wrong way. Above was my judgement for the top trims, not the lower ones. Except the Mazda and (maybe the) Subaru could justify their top trim price tag.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/11/2020 - 09:55

      That's pretty fair comment on everything. In this segment the top trim isn't luxurious, it's just going for the appearance of being so. I'd buy used or demo in this segment so you get a bit better value.

      Having said that, the mazda interior is pretty premium for the price you pay. The top trim XV (2.0s I believe) is a really comfortable car and the build quality is pretty good. Appearance wise it can't match the mazda but I think you're right in saying those two are the best options. Just depends what practicality they want.

  • redvaldez on 09/11/2020 - 10:15

    Surprised a Mitsubishi ASX hasn't been listed. I'd spend the $32,990 (driveaway) for the GSR model as it has a 2.4 litre engine - I think the 2l engine might be a little compromised if they are doing highway driving. Features include AEB, auto wipers, auto lights, lane departure warning, blind sport warning and rear cross traffic alerts. Get it serviced with Mitsubishi and you get a 10 year warranty and 10 years of capped price servicing. For full disclosure I wouldn't buy one for myself - they are dated and bland. But they are good value and are reliable, and for your folks, I think would be worth considering.

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