New car for elderly mum

jimmy_cricket

Netwizard wrote: »

Very much so. I'd make some phone calls to garages near her and try and find a good one (hard to judge on the phone, maybe if you post what area she is in, someone can recommend a good garage near her).

Certainly shouldn't be that much money. You can buy a whole Honda Jazz for that!

Thanks!

She is in Whitby, N Yorks if anyone knows a good and honest garage up there.

Netwizard

Well here is some to start with. Maybe googling their names individually might reveal some reviews, good or bad!:)

http://www.garage-finder.co.uk/city-Whitby.html

jimmy_cricket

Hi all,

So my Mum has decided that she would like to replace her car, rather than repair it. She is set, at the moment, on a new Micra. Can anyone please suggest alternatives that I can take her to look at? It would need to be:
Small
Relatively inexpensive to both buy and service
Easy to get in and out of
Air con (as some of the lower end cars don't seem to have these as standard.

Thanks all for the suggestions so far, will look at these.

Tilt

Fiat 500 or Panda

peter_the_piper

Easy to get out of is a Kia Picanto. MIL finds its the easiest one of all the cars we have had. £0 tax, air con etc.

Tiddlywinks

Smart car - approved used.

I've had two from new and they were no problem - 54 and 57 plate.

High driving position, very easy to manoeuvre, auto gearbox with hill start assist, high boot opening, lots of room for driver and passenger... my mum had limited mobility and she found it really easy and comfortable. I even fitted her buggy in the back.

Servicing is not that expensive even from a Mercedes main dealer.

barbiedoll

I've got a Kia Picanto and it is very easy to get in and out of. I'm not (that) old but I do have a bad back and I've found the seating to be very comfortable. Visibility is good too. 7 year warranty, it's easy on petrol (I've got the 1.0 air) and the aircon is very efficient, if a little noisy!

They seem to be very popular with the "older" crowd.

jimmy_cricket

Thanks everyone, some really interesting suggestion.
I'm a little worried about the Kia only having a 1l engine. Where mum lives is vey hilly.

Tiddlywinks

jimmy_cricket wrote: »

Thanks everyone, some really interesting suggestion.
I'm a little worried about the Kia only having a 1l engine. Where mum lives is vey hilly.

The Smart now has a 1 litre engine (or you can get the diesel)... I regularly commuted 40 miles each way along motorways and country winding hilly roads... no problem at all.

w211

Adamvxr2 wrote: »

Whatever you do replace it with a Japanese built car (again)

The Honda Jazz is built in Swindon, UK.