Mazda 3 is the best car under $20,000
Best new vehicle for woman 80+ 15-20k price range?
- Thread starter Rand
- Start date
Ford Fairmont
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Subaru Crosstrek? A bit higher up for her and her friends to get in and out of.
If you actually go down a size, like Versa, Fit, Sonic, many of those have higher seats, rooflines and are easier to get in and out of than a midsize or Corolla size car.
Crosstrek is a great idea. I would also say try the Corolla and Camry Go to a showroom and sit in a couple with her.
Edit: saw your post late. Camry is over 20k and Corolla out too.
Subaru Crosstrek? A bit higher up for her and her friends to get in and out of.
If you actually go down a size, like Versa, Fit, Sonic, many of those have higher seats, rooflines and are easier to get in and out of than a midsize or Corolla size car.
Crosstrek is a great idea. I would also say try the Corolla and Camry Go to a showroom and sit in a couple with her.
Edit: saw your post late. Camry is over 20k and Corolla out too.
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Friend of the family is 88 yrs old. She's been driving a 2016 Lincoln MKZ...325-350 hp V6 as I recall. Though new it's well over $25K.
My Dad just turned 90 and he’s still driving. Has no trouble navigating around and drives just like he did when we were kids - not fast but very controlled.
Some suggestions here
Best cars for seniors
Best cars for seniors
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Mazda 3 is the best car under $20,000
To many folks & the PRESS, the Mazda3 is a great car however it's not quite the car for an 80 year old person just based on comfort, ingress/egress, & outward vision.
Also, I didn't know if used was a consideration. Both Buick & Toyota make for decent used vehicles and can be had for well below the price threshold, especially Camry's make a great used car.
Mazda 3 is the best car under $20,000
To many folks & the PRESS, the Mazda3 is a great car however it's not quite the car for an 80 year old person just based on comfort, ingress/egress, & outward vision.
Also, I didn't know if used was a consideration. Both Buick & Toyota make for decent used vehicles and can be had for well below the price threshold, especially Camry's make a great used car.
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Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Chevy equinox or Ford Escape because both are reliable, drive like cars, and are easy to get in and out of which is a huge plus for the elderly. A base model of either can be had for $20k usually.
+2 my dad has an escape. I drove it a few times... a good but generic experience. Visibility's good. He's a poor driver but hasn't wrecked this yet, that I know of.
Chevy equinox or Ford Escape because both are reliable, drive like cars, and are easy to get in and out of which is a huge plus for the elderly. A base model of either can be had for $20k usually.
+2 my dad has an escape. I drove it a few times... a good but generic experience. Visibility's good. He's a poor driver but hasn't wrecked this yet, that I know of.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: Bud
Take her to drive a Subaru Forestor.
This was my first thought.
Lots of old gray heads in Foresters these days with good reason.
Hey!!!
Wait...I AM a gray head!!!
OMG...
My daughter's Impreza is very difficult to get in and out of, the Crosstrek might be a better choice for an elderly person but is more $$$ for being just a bit higher and having weird stuff on the body (I can't say too much because my FXT has some of the same kind of weird stuff).
Originally Posted By: Bud
Take her to drive a Subaru Forestor.
This was my first thought.
Lots of old gray heads in Foresters these days with good reason.
Hey!!!
Wait...I AM a gray head!!!
OMG...
My daughter's Impreza is very difficult to get in and out of, the Crosstrek might be a better choice for an elderly person but is more $$$ for being just a bit higher and having weird stuff on the body (I can't say too much because my FXT has some of the same kind of weird stuff).
Subaru Forester.
They have some of the best visibility, easy ingress and egress, easy controls, great view of the road, and they ride and handle well. Plus, the reliability is a good inclusion. However, these cars have been known to burn oil. Im sure that you might be able to find a base model for around the 20K mark. Good luck! It is a grueling process.
They have some of the best visibility, easy ingress and egress, easy controls, great view of the road, and they ride and handle well. Plus, the reliability is a good inclusion. However, these cars have been known to burn oil. Im sure that you might be able to find a base model for around the 20K mark. Good luck! It is a grueling process.
BTW- Encore made in Korea, not China. Think some of the Trax's are made in Mexico, maybe some Encore production there now.
Originally Posted By: Rand
lots of advice, thanks guys but some doesnt fit the parameters.
Subaru Forester starts around $23000?(would have been my first choice)
Not too many new buicks or toyotas under $20000
encore is made in China, corolla she didnt like the styling.
Probably will start the test drives with the hyundai dealer
they have 2.0auto elantra for $12990 financed 0% for upto 6 years.(extra $$$ off for financing can pay off after 3 month)
Also has santa fe sport for 17990
The 15000-20000 budget cant balloon to 23000-24000 out the door.
Cruze was already on the list.
Fusion is pushing the budget looks like around 20800 was cheapest + fees.. but I havent looked real hard yet.
I agree fusion is pretty close to what she had only much nicer.
FWIW this was the first car accident in her entire life, and it was at a terrible intersection
One direction has obstructed view, other direction has turn only, and straight lanes.. people floor it to cut in from the turn only lane.
I bypass this intersection by making a few extra turns to get to a light. The one where the accident at is truely bad. IIRC There have even been 2 police cars hit there in the last 5 years or so.
The time to hang up the keys is not upon her. Also she doesnt drink or text.. so better than about 50% of the population right there
If you haven't checked CarGurus, you might want to.
If she is interested in a Fusion within her budget:
The Ford dealer in North Canton has several new '17 Fusion SE's for mid 17's.
They could probably be negotiated down from there without much drama, I would hope.
That should put her within budget.
lots of advice, thanks guys but some doesnt fit the parameters.
Subaru Forester starts around $23000?(would have been my first choice)
Not too many new buicks or toyotas under $20000
encore is made in China, corolla she didnt like the styling.
Probably will start the test drives with the hyundai dealer
they have 2.0auto elantra for $12990 financed 0% for upto 6 years.(extra $$$ off for financing can pay off after 3 month)
Also has santa fe sport for 17990
The 15000-20000 budget cant balloon to 23000-24000 out the door.
Cruze was already on the list.
Fusion is pushing the budget looks like around 20800 was cheapest + fees.. but I havent looked real hard yet.
I agree fusion is pretty close to what she had only much nicer.
FWIW this was the first car accident in her entire life, and it was at a terrible intersection
One direction has obstructed view, other direction has turn only, and straight lanes.. people floor it to cut in from the turn only lane.
I bypass this intersection by making a few extra turns to get to a light. The one where the accident at is truely bad. IIRC There have even been 2 police cars hit there in the last 5 years or so.
The time to hang up the keys is not upon her. Also she doesnt drink or text.. so better than about 50% of the population right there
If you haven't checked CarGurus, you might want to.
If she is interested in a Fusion within her budget:
The Ford dealer in North Canton has several new '17 Fusion SE's for mid 17's.
They could probably be negotiated down from there without much drama, I would hope.
That should put her within budget.
For SUVs, look into a RAV4 or a Forester. Last thing an old woman needs to worry about are turbos(which is why the CR-V, the Koreans and Chevy/Ford is out).
If the idea of a SUV is too much, a Corolla or Impreza are fine choices. I would consider a Prius for a 80 year old, but visibility in them kinda sucks. Toyota seems to be wheeling and dealing with them now, say all you want about the economics of a Prius but I'm sure someone living off a pension or social security would be stoked to not gas up every week.
I would imagine you can get a rippin' deal on a base Camry, I was in carpool in a '17 Camry L - the absolute base of them(no Toyota Entune, no power seats, lots of cheap plastic trim). The driver said he paid $17K out the door for it.
If the idea of a SUV is too much, a Corolla or Impreza are fine choices. I would consider a Prius for a 80 year old, but visibility in them kinda sucks. Toyota seems to be wheeling and dealing with them now, say all you want about the economics of a Prius but I'm sure someone living off a pension or social security would be stoked to not gas up every week.
I would imagine you can get a rippin' deal on a base Camry, I was in carpool in a '17 Camry L - the absolute base of them(no Toyota Entune, no power seats, lots of cheap plastic trim). The driver said he paid $17K out the door for it.
Originally Posted By: wemay
Mom is 73. She now lives with my brother (retired Miami P.O.) since our Pop passed.
She needed a vehicle as she is still very independent and you couldn't guess her age if you tried (thank goodness for her good health).
We got her a Honda HR-V. It was the easiest for her to get comfortable in, she drove it with confidence because of the raised seating position, the CVT doesn't bother her, the MPG is excellent and the crash tests show good results.
We were out the door at $20,800 with a 4-year maint plan / and 100,000 mile extended warranty.
I was also going to suggest the HR-V. Perfect entry height, reliable, safe, efficient.
Mom is 73. She now lives with my brother (retired Miami P.O.) since our Pop passed.
She needed a vehicle as she is still very independent and you couldn't guess her age if you tried (thank goodness for her good health).
We got her a Honda HR-V. It was the easiest for her to get comfortable in, she drove it with confidence because of the raised seating position, the CVT doesn't bother her, the MPG is excellent and the crash tests show good results.
We were out the door at $20,800 with a 4-year maint plan / and 100,000 mile extended warranty.
I was also going to suggest the HR-V. Perfect entry height, reliable, safe, efficient.
HR-V hecho en Mexico.
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
HR-V hecho en Mexico.
And so is the Fusion, but I don't see it as a big issue, personally.
HR-V hecho en Mexico.
And so is the Fusion, but I don't see it as a big issue, personally.
