car for my grandparents ?

[anton]

Hello,

my grandfather's car finally started to go bad , so he wants to get new(probably brand new) car. He, right now , has Hyundai Elantra , yeah it's not a good car, but it was cheap when they came to USA : ) ... He is looking in something similar to that , not a big car .Though he's a proefessional driver, he doesn't know much about today day's cars ... so we should choose it for him , and he will see if he likes it ... He needs very cheap car , probably around $10k ... I was looking into Civic , I think it's pretty good for him , what other suggestions will you give?

Thanks,
bye.

 

[Nerd]

A Honda Civic would be perfect. Maybe a Acura Integra too. I always see elderly people driving Civics/Integras.

 

[BigSmooth]

You must be looking at used, because Civics start around $12K new.
One comparable car I might recommend are the Mazda Protege. It's a highly-regarded, reliable small sedan.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Tell him to get a Porsche, or a Oscar Mayer Hotdog car.

 

[vi edit]

How agile is your grandpa? When you start getting older, the easiness of getting in and out of a car is a huge factor. Why do you see so many old people driving big ass cadillacs and crown vics? They're easy to get in and out of, and the ergonomics of the seat are very comfortable for aging hips, knees, and backs.

Acuras and civics are fine for younger, more limber drives, but once you get older, you need something a little more accomidating.

Just my $.02

 

[Tominator]

Mazda Protege or Ford Focus....course another Hundai should do fine.

 

[anton]

thanks for suggestions ...

vi_edit: he needs not a big car , because my grandmother's legs are not very good , and it will be hard for her to get in the big car

 

[Emulex]

ford crown victoria. great old persons car, has some umph, nice big and comfy, and SAFE!

werd.

 

[psteng19]

<< my grandmother's legs are not very good , and it will be hard for her to get in the big car >>


why would it be harder to get in a big car? I would think that it would be easier, since the doors are bigger.
if you are thinking step in height, i don't think it would make much difference between a small compact and a large sedan. what you should stay away from are SUV's and minivans and jeeps. those have substantially higher step-in heights.
there aren't many new cars that go for 10k nowadays... maybe just kia's and hyundai's, but i personally think they are poor cars. although the 100,000 miles warranty is nice. just better hope they don't mind going back and forth to the garage for repairs.

 

[vi edit]

<< if you are thinking step in height, i don't think it would make much difference between a small compact and a large sedan >>



It's not so much getting in, as it is getting out. Small coupes like civics and integras sit low to the ground and you actually have to step &quot;up&quot; out of them. In a larger car like a crown vic or an Olds 88, the ride height is pretty neutral and you don't have to step up, or down, to get in or out of them.

My girlfriend worked the physical therapy unit of a hospital and told me about different car models that worked better for older people with bad backs, knees and hips, or for people that had a replacement of some sorts done.

The full size sedans were more or less designed for those reasons in mind.

 

[Tominator]

<< ..ford crown victoria. great old persons car.. >>



Hey you DWEEB! I'm buying my Dad's Crown Vic later in the year! He has 2! I'm not old...yet...

Great car btw....