Suggestions on a runaround for elderly relative
Discussion
Posting up on behalf of my uncle who's in the situation of trying to decide on a runaround that would be used by them once of twice a week to transport an elderly relative to / from hospital appointments, into town, etc and may also need to transport a carer at times too.
For the last few years he's been making use of a 58 plate Merc A180, that was already in the family, but in recent months said relative has been struggling with further health issues including lack of movement, back problems, etc, so is now struggling to get in / out of the Merc due to the height of the seat, bolstering, etc.
I've been told the criteria for a replacement car are as follows:
- not having a "big step up" into the car due to the restricted movement issues.
- the seats can't have raised / bolstered edges and need to have a fairly flat base so that it enables the fitment of a spinning disc type of mechanism that allows said relative to seat themselves facing out of the door and then swing them around to aid entry / exit from the car.
- Ideally 4 / 5 doors as the recent health issues have showed that the Merc isn't ideal due to the 3 door setup meaning the door cannot be opened fully if another car parks too closely in a bay.
- Budget of circa £3-4k as I believe the outlay will be offset by the sale of the Merc afterwards.
I'm not really that clued up on what to suggest tbh but looking at similar age cars I'd have thought that maybe the similar age to the Merc Fiesta, Polo, Fabia or Mk4 Ibiza might be worth looking at as the front seats on those base models seem to meet the flat requirements, but obviously pricing varies between the different cars.
Any other suggestions that might be worth considering?
Edit - Oops, just seen that a new forum appears to have been created recently to cover these queries, so mods feel free to move with redirect
For the last few years he's been making use of a 58 plate Merc A180, that was already in the family, but in recent months said relative has been struggling with further health issues including lack of movement, back problems, etc, so is now struggling to get in / out of the Merc due to the height of the seat, bolstering, etc.
I've been told the criteria for a replacement car are as follows:
- not having a "big step up" into the car due to the restricted movement issues.
- the seats can't have raised / bolstered edges and need to have a fairly flat base so that it enables the fitment of a spinning disc type of mechanism that allows said relative to seat themselves facing out of the door and then swing them around to aid entry / exit from the car.
- Ideally 4 / 5 doors as the recent health issues have showed that the Merc isn't ideal due to the 3 door setup meaning the door cannot be opened fully if another car parks too closely in a bay.
- Budget of circa £3-4k as I believe the outlay will be offset by the sale of the Merc afterwards.
I'm not really that clued up on what to suggest tbh but looking at similar age cars I'd have thought that maybe the similar age to the Merc Fiesta, Polo, Fabia or Mk4 Ibiza might be worth looking at as the front seats on those base models seem to meet the flat requirements, but obviously pricing varies between the different cars.
Any other suggestions that might be worth considering?
Edit - Oops, just seen that a new forum appears to have been created recently to cover these queries, so mods feel free to move with redirect
Korean cars have very long warranties, but (and I really do believe this) you cannot buy a bad car these days. Any new car will be fine, safe enough, comfortable enough, fast enough and have enough toys. And their warranties mean you can keep them that way. So buy the car you like the look of, or find the most comfortable
If you can find a few more pounds, Goodmayes have a Nissan Cube "wellcab" which includes an articulating passenger seat. Hard to think of a more fit-for-purpose vehicle really.
http://www.goodmayesmotors.co.uk/used-car-nissan-c...
http://www.goodmayesmotors.co.uk/used-car-nissan-c...
Fiat Panda... We had the new style 4x4 for a bit, fantastic car. Would suggest going for a drive in a standard low spec one and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Edited by Moonpie21 on Saturday 3rd September 22:46
I posted a thread some time ago very similar asking for suggestions for a car for my elderly aunty. Eventually I took her to the car supermarket to sit in and feel a few on the short list, which I'd highly recommend since you'll be able to try several cars from different manufacturers at once. Don't neglect the suzuki swift on your looking either.
Ultimately your decision is going to come down to factors that you have not even begun to anticipate, a good example being your seat bolsters.
I suggested an A class, which she found too hard to get in and out of. Also the Jazz, but she actually found that a bit big, a toyota aygo, but she couldnt see the bonnet etc etc
Eventually she bought a micra, and what sealed that deal was the fact that out of almost all the cars we looked at it was the only one with height adjustable seats so I could raise it for her to look see out of properly!
This is one that really will need to be tested out from a short list for their individual foibles etc I'm afraid.
Ultimately your decision is going to come down to factors that you have not even begun to anticipate, a good example being your seat bolsters.
I suggested an A class, which she found too hard to get in and out of. Also the Jazz, but she actually found that a bit big, a toyota aygo, but she couldnt see the bonnet etc etc
Eventually she bought a micra, and what sealed that deal was the fact that out of almost all the cars we looked at it was the only one with height adjustable seats so I could raise it for her to look see out of properly!
This is one that really will need to be tested out from a short list for their individual foibles etc I'm afraid.
My grandfather was struggling with his mk1 focus. He would sort of 'fall' in backwards but then would have to heave himself out. He's probably 18 stone and with a couple of dicky hips and a dodgy knee so a low seating position like the focus wad bad. I told him to try a Jazz and it's made life so much easier, seat is just the right height to just rock in and out of. He bought a brand new one on the spot.
I took my 89 year old aunt for a blast out in my Porsche 928 a few years ago and she was thrilled to bits until it was time to get out, though she wouldn't have missed it for the world. You should have seen her face when I opened the garage and she was expecting to see the normal junk
On a more practical level I would think that something like a Honda Jazz or something from Toyota would be high up on the agenda.
On a more practical level I would think that something like a Honda Jazz or something from Toyota would be high up on the agenda.
Thanks for the replies and a few alternative suggestions that I can pass on too
I know a couple of people suggested taking said relative to test the seats but unfortunately the age / lack of mobility restricts this a fair bit, so I guess it will be a case of testing a few of the options listed and making a best determination on their behalf.
I must say though, 2016 seems to have seen a bit of drop off in leftfield suggestions in these sorts of threads
No mention of an MX5 or a Golf R on lease 
and I'm sure someone always used to pop up to suggest something American with a V8 
The best in this case was a bus 
I know a couple of people suggested taking said relative to test the seats but unfortunately the age / lack of mobility restricts this a fair bit, so I guess it will be a case of testing a few of the options listed and making a best determination on their behalf.
I must say though, 2016 seems to have seen a bit of drop off in leftfield suggestions in these sorts of threads
No mention of an MX5 or a Golf R on lease and I'm sure someone always used to pop up to suggest something American with a V8 The best in this case was a bus Edited by AlexRS2782 on Monday 5th September 00:33
Blakewater said:
Only if he wants to have it in for repair weekly. They are truly awful in terms of reliability.Surprised the Yaris doesn't feature here. I bought one for me old mum and she's chuffed with it. Getting in and out of most cars is impossible for her.
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