For a mid 70yr old, what car?

[Herman Toothrot]

So someone who in their motoring career how has always had nice new cars including 7 series bmw's, various Alfa's, Audis, more recently a series of Toyota Celicas and now an A3 Quattro 1.8T wants a new car. The A3 would be perfect if it wasn't plagued with electrical faults, he'd go back to a Celica but it is too low to get in and out of now (managed until early 70's). He's liked the 4wd of the A3 although did complain it did struggle a bit in the recent ice, when I explained it wasn't proper rally car Quattro 4wd he wasn't so impressed.

I'm thinking a Subaru Legacy outback maybe a good car for him now? Or even an impreza. He inquired once about a P1 impreza when they were in the show rooms but dismissed it on the petty issue of insurance wanting a tracker on it... This was fuss he couldn't be bothered with. A regular impreza should be ok? Any other suggestions?

[g3org3y]

How much is he wanting to spend?

Given that height is an issue in order to aid ease of entry and exit, plus the consideration of 4WD - perhaps an X3 or X5 may be appropriate?

[Herman Toothrot]

I'll give the x3 a mention, I think and x5 maybe met with "I don't want a truck".

[HellDiver]

1 litre Micra or Toyota Prius.

[Mastodon2]

Any of the "higher than wide" lot should do it. I hear the Ford Fusion with the switchable sequential manual or automatic transmission is particularly comfortable, easy to use and cheap to run.

[Efbe]

Herman Toothrot said:

So someone who in their motoring career how has always had nice new cars including 7 series bmw's, various Alfa's, Audis, more recently a series of Toyota Celicas and now an A3 Quattro 1.8T wants a new car. The A3 would be perfect if it wasn't plagued with electrical faults, he'd go back to a Celica but it is too low to get in and out of now (managed until early 70's). He's liked the 4wd of the A3 although did complain it did struggle a bit in the recent ice, when I explained it wasn't proper rally car Quattro 4wd he wasn't so impressed.

I'm thinking a Subaru Legacy outback maybe a good car for him now? Or even an impreza. He inquired once about a P1 impreza when they were in the show rooms but dismissed it on the petty issue of insurance wanting a tracker on it... This was fuss he couldn't be bothered with. A regular impreza should be ok? Any other suggestions?

It always makes me smile when I see an old bloke in a nice evo, do this. hopefully one day i'll be the same.

If he liked the calica, then the inside of an evo won't be too different. a lot more upright, very nice 4wd, great handling and power. depends on how much he can afford to which one to get though.

[Compo_Simmonite]

Skoda Octavia Scout ?

Paul H

[The real Apache]

I'd say something with good visabilty is important too, I think the Auris would be good for tha plus ease of access and comfort, even the new Citoen Picasso is worth considering

[farrendahl]

I'm pleasently surprised to see that nobody has said a bus pass.

But back to the matter at hand I'd be pointing int he direction of either a Forester or Legacy Outback.

[littlebasher]

Has to be a Honda Jazz surely?

[Herman Toothrot]

HellDiver said:

1 litre Micra or Toyota Prius.

You may think thats suitable for yourself when older, I assure you these would definately not be options in this case though.

[Shaw Tarse]

Herman Toothrot said:

HellDiver said:

1 litre Micra or Toyota Prius.

You may think thats suitable for yourself when older, I assure you these would definately not be options in this case though.

Having been a passenger in an A8, making progress by a chap in his eighties, I'd say +1

[Papa Hotel]

Shaw Tarse said:

Herman Toothrot said:

HellDiver said:

1 litre Micra or Toyota Prius.

You may think thats suitable for yourself when older, I assure you these would definately not be options in this case though.

Having been a passenger in an A8, making progress by a chap in his eighties, I'd say +1

Having been a passenger in a Fiesta making little progress by a chap in his seventies, I'd say +1 to the bus pass. We can all come up with an anecdote for any situation.

Anyway, discounting the obvious and boring bus pass suggestion, what about a Range Rover or Disco? If they're too tall, is the horrid Golf Plus still in production?

[Herman Toothrot]

farrendahl said:

I'm pleasently surprised to see that nobody has said a bus pass.

But back to the matter at hand I'd be pointing int he direction of either a Forester or Legacy Outback.

I think Subaru's are likely the best option. I think the current A3 (2 door) is about the right size so do wonder if a legacy or forester maybe too big. Looking at Subaru's website I'd not realised that the hatch impreza is only 4 door, no 2 door option. A basic 2 litre, 2 door impreza hatch would have been perfect.

[k-ink]

[LuS1fer]

CTR.

[Herman Toothrot]

To all those who suggest a taxi or bus pass I hope you intend to sell your car when you are still perfectly capable of driving at say 70, just hit an arbitary age much like a speed limit, hand in keys?

Besides, public transport may as well not exist in the area of countryside where he lives.

[Herman Toothrot]

LuS1fer said:

CTR.

Civic type R? Probably too low I'd guess - I've only sat in the bread van shape one and that was much like the Celica?

[LuS1fer]

Well I'm 50 and find it harder and harder to twist my neck round so it has to be something compact and with good visibility. I have an old Golf GTI Mk III which can be slung round with abandon but I find modern car designs with slits for windows to be a real chore to drive. I had a Civic Type R and don't recall getting in and out was much of a problem.

He'd enjoy a Mustang as thay have high seats and good visibility but are LHD.

[Herman Toothrot]

LuS1fer said:

Well I'm 50 and find it harder and harder to twist my neck round so it has to be something compact and with good visibility.

I think thats an important feature, its more a whole body twist to look out the side rather than a neck movement. I've just requested him a selection of Subaru brochures.

A golf 4 motion maybe an idea but the A3 is essentially the same thing and its been problem after problem; stuttering under boost, cutting out when lifting off, stereo & electric windows never worked correctly, randomly not starting etc.