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Original poster

Please help me pick a car for my 80 year old mum

34 replies

Phoxinusphoxinus · 14/08/2021 10:53

My mum needs a new car. She is getting on so it needs to not be too low so it's easy to get in and out of. Something with a fairly upright driving position.

Ideally some driving assist tools so things like lane assist and adaptive cruise control. But nothing too complicated looking.

I think she'd like a hybrid if possible which would have the added benefit of being an automatic. It also needs a decent sized screen for the satnav.

She'll be buying something that's 6-18 months old.

Any suggestions would be appreciated so I can help her decide.

OP posts:
thatfuckingtent · 14/08/2021 10:55

Honda Jazz.
My mum is on her 4th. She's never had any problems with any of them

Whenever I see one it's being driven by a woman over 60 (tongue in cheek)

TeenMinusTests · 14/08/2021 10:57

At 80 I'd say whatever she is used to already.
My DM is 85 and has just upgraded her car to a newer model of the same, and the more modern stuff (like engine cutting when idle) is taking getting used to.

PlatinumBrunette · 14/08/2021 10:58

Not a hybrid, but my mum drives a Ford B-max. She’s mid 80s and fairly disabled. This car is higher and has a boot she doesn’t need to hoik things over to get stuff out. Also automatic and has sliding back doors which are apparently incredibly useful when She ferries her ‘old ladies’ around!

I once hired a brilliant Toyota hybrid, but I’m afraid I can’t recall which one.

spongedod · 14/08/2021 10:59

Yes, the same car as she is already driving.

My Nanna couldn't cope with a change in model where the wipers/lights were slightly different as she got older. It was hard enough that the same model had more 'tech' each time Sad

Galassia · 14/08/2021 11:02

Dacia Sandero Stepway. I see lots of elderly people driving them. It’s pretty basic though which may or may not be a good thing.

Hercisback · 14/08/2021 11:03

Honda jazz.

fluffiphlox · 14/08/2021 11:05

Round here the pensioner’s car of choice is the Honda Jazz. Make sure to protect the catalytic converter on it as they seem to be a popular target.

DoingItMyself · 14/08/2021 11:05

63, drive a Honda Jazz provided by my daughter. Hate being a cliché, but it's a great car, ideal.

Obviously, my soul-car is a Morgan Panther... but the long-term loan of the Honda Jazz makes me happy.

Surprisedpikachu · 14/08/2021 11:06

My mum is 75 and has a Mini One. She loves it but I’ve driven it and it feels quite low to the ground to me

gingercat02 · 14/08/2021 11:06

DM is 80 later this year, she bought a Suzuki Swift having driven big cars all her life. Now she us used to the smallness she really loves it

lljkk · 14/08/2021 11:12

My 78yo uncle just got a brand new electric SUV mustang...

How far does your mom typically drive, OP? Daily driving?

SpiderinaWingMirror · 14/08/2021 11:20

Came on to say Honda Jazz too.

Adventuresat40 · 14/08/2021 11:24

😂😂 I just knew this thread would say Honda Jazz.
My mum has one. Perfect for her.

Original poster
Phoxinusphoxinus · 14/08/2021 11:24

Thanks very much for all the suggestions. Her driving is mainly rural areas. But she insists on making regularish trips further afield. Overall though I think her mileage is pretty low.

I'm looking at the hybrid version of her current car and I think it looks like it might be fine. I'm also definitely going to look at the Honda jazz given the number of recommendations.

OP posts:
sunshinesupermum · 14/08/2021 11:28

What is her current car OP?

CathyorClaire · 14/08/2021 11:30

Another vote for Honda Jazz.

DM got an automatic after a stroke a few years back and still has it. The only problem tends to be the battery running out of juice fairly regularly but I think that's more to do with it not being driven enough than an issue with the actual car.

VienneseWhirligig · 14/08/2021 11:33

My mum is in her 70s and has a little MG, it's insanely comfortable. She wanted a Tigra but wasn't allowed a sports car - my dad put his foot down.

Sunshineanddaisies2021 · 14/08/2021 11:39

A Toyota Yaris - excellent vision all around, surprising amount of space inside. Upright seats and you feel quite high up. Was perfect for an elderly family member (and I used to drive it too). Was quite sad to sell it on actually!

SheABitSpicyToday · 14/08/2021 11:44

My grandparents have a skoda yeti which is perfect

blitzen · 14/08/2021 11:47

I know an old person who is very happy with their hyundai i20.

defnotadomesticgoddess · 14/08/2021 11:47

My mum, nearly 80, just got an Hyundai i30. Automatic petrol. Easy to get in and out of for her. Great value for money. She loves it.

MayContainNits · 14/08/2021 11:49

The Nissan Note is my area's Honda Jazz.

MountainDweller · 14/08/2021 12:17

I have mobility problems and just got a 5-year-old Renault Zoe (fully electric though). Mine only has a range of about 120km which is more than enough for me but the newer ones do 250km. It has a great seating position - high but not too high - and the front doors open pretty wide so it's easy to get in and out. It has park assist and a big screen, easy to read display too. My friend has a Honda Jazz (admittedly it's older than you'd be looking at) and the seats are a fair bit lower than the in the Zoe. I had a (petrol) Twingo before which also had a great seating position, so maybe Renault are good in that respect?

Horsemad · 14/08/2021 13:34

My 80yr old Mum swapped to a Yaris - she loves it. It's automatic too, which she now prefers.

Queenoftheflumps02 · 14/08/2021 13:52

Just been through this with my 80year old DM. After test driving a few , she went with an automatic Yaris. It has all the assist tools needed and is easy to get in and out. It's a hybrid and she's only put petrol in once in about 500miles. She was hesitant at first, but loves it now.