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Kevin helps his spouse’s grandmother exchange her previous Saturn. The household is in search of a automotive fitted to an older driver, one thing that’s dependable but in addition actually easy. No screens or expertise that an 80-year-old driver would discover irritating. With a $15,000 finances, what automotive ought to they purchase?
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Right here is the situation:
My spouse’s grandmother wants to exchange her 2001 Saturn SL. I don’t assume she believes it, however her 1 mechanic, 7 youngsters, 32 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren all agree that the Saturn ought to now not orbit round city. I’m in search of your assist in discovering an appropriate alternative 4-door sedan that the household can current to her.
The important thing right here is discovering a automotive that’s easy with apparent performance parts. For instance, a pronounced automated shifter and large radio buttons – completely no screens!
Whereas this might not be essentially the most full of life of searches, I feel the problem is a noble certainly one of looking for a extra up-to-date automotive with old-school simplicity. We don’t wish to spend greater than $15,000
Table of Contents
Finances: as much as $15,000
Location: New England
Day by day Driver: Sure
Desires: Easy, dependable, not too large
Doesn’t need: One thing too tech-heavy
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Convincing someone who has held onto their car for such a long time that it’s time to upgrade isn’t easy, especially since they are used to the routine of their current ride. The tricky part with this scenario is finding something modern enough to have some life left in the car but not too recent. Like many cases before, where someone is looking for an affordable and practical car, the answer is the Kia Soul. Examples are plentiful, and unlike most Japanese cars that will have much higher miles at this price point, you can score a Kia with well under 100,000 miles on the clock.
The Soul isn’t a traditional sedan body like she is used to but the slightly higher ride height makes ingress/egress a bit easier for older folks. If you target 2015/2016 models you will find a nice big shifter in the middle and easy-to-use HVAC and radio controls. An added benefit to the Soul is the upright body style which provides good sight lines for navigating local traffic. Right here is an instance with just below 70,000 for round $14,000.
Nobody within the Jalopnik places of work would ever describe me as an affordable particular person, however that’s about to alter. Proper right here is the best choice on your pricey previous grandma. I ought to know. My grandma is 87 and actually desires to purchase a brand new automotive since her 2004 Chrysler City & Nation is a bit lengthy within the tooth. I’m attempting to get her into certainly one of these myself.
The tenth technology Corolla checks each single field your grandma is in search of. It’s the best value. It’s easy. It’s dependable, and it’s not large in any respect. In reality, it’s just about the identical measurement as her Saturb. Inside there are actually zero screens (aside from the radio and journey odometer shows), and if she’s like my grandma that radio won’t ever be turned on. It’s additionally bought about as a giant a shifter as attainable for a compact automotive. In a phrase, it’s excellent.
This particular example is a 2013 mannequin situated in Massachusetts and has beneath 34,000 miles on the clock. For a Toyota, that’s nearly actually model new. In addition, it’s bought a clear Carfax report and is available in a fairly fairly child blue coloration. What extra may ya ask for? Kevin, my buddy, make the best alternative. Purchase a Corolla on your grandma. She’ll thanks later.
These are the type of WCSYB prompts that actually make you assume. On the floor, there’s not a lot to it: low cost, environment friendly, dependable, easy transportation that can carry on chugging for a few years to return. However the “no screens” ask kind of throws a wrench in that, as a result of most automobiles constructed throughout the final decade will fail to adjust to that standards. Additionally, Andy already mentioned Corolla, so what the hell are the remainder of us imagined to do?
Certainly, that’s most likely your best option — however so too could be a Civic or a Match. The Civic bought a bit of… angular round this time, with a semi-complicated sprint, and I may see that being a bit of intimidating for an older driver. So here’s a 2012 Fit Sport, automated transmission, with no reported accidents and 85,000 miles on the odometer. I do know that’s not an insignificant quantity, however these will run without end. The middle stack controls are all quite simple, and total this instance is fairly clear regardless of its historical past. And, although your spouse’s grandma might not care, this technology of Match positively seemed the most effective. She deserves one thing rad.
Kevin, your spouse’s grandmother’s 20+ 12 months run along with her Saturn SL is superior. After 20 years in a small sedan, I can see why she’d choose to maintain the identical type issue, however one thing like Tom’s Kia Soul or, say, a Honda Element may very well be a pleasant improve to the Saturn. The Aspect has easy-to-read controls and the gear shifter is up on the sprint.
If the dimensions of this Element just isn’t ultimate, then perhaps this 2009 Toyota Matrix could be a greater match, no pun supposed. The Matrix combines the shape issue of the Toyota Corolla and Honda Match talked about above, however, most significantly, it has a easy and clear dashboard with a gear selector inside snug attain. The A/C controls are three easy dials, and the radio display is principally a sliver on the sprint. It’s gloriously easy. Add within the reliability Toyota is understood for, and the Matrix may very well be it!
The one I linked is pricy, however with beneath 45,000 miles on the odometer, it’s able to go for one more 20 years just like the beloved Saturn. There’s all the time the Pontiac Vibe, too — cousin to the Matrix. Earlier Vibe fashions had Pontiac’s signature blobby buttons, however beneath the rebadge it’s much like the Matrix.