Upgraded car for Parents (approx. €3k)

[Kace]

Guys / gals - looking for some advice from ye all in relation to parents cars....

My Mum is looking for something new as my old Volvo 480 is starting to get serious NCT pressure these days. Also it's very low slung and my Mum has pins in her spine and has just had a knee replacement, so it's a tough car to manage.

Any ideas on what would be a nice car, not a supermini or a small car, but something higher, slightly classier and bigger (but not huge) for about €3k. Automatic would probably also be ideal. I would like to give them my FTO to keep it in the family when I replace this year, however it's too low slung as well so doesn't fit the bill.

I was thinking that an A2 would be cool, although I think with the knee that an automatic might be better.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A2/1.4-SE-7/201218208021219/advert?channel=CARS

A3 would probably be good as well as it's a good size and a hatchback.

I'm sure that some of you motorheads have been asked for similar advice from your elders - keen to hear what options have you advised in the past, or think would be suitable.

Thanks

K

[CJ]

I'd throw the Ford Focus into the mix, it has plenty of room in a small-medium sized package and fits all of your requirements - apart from being classy. Plenty of autos out there too...

[TopCat]

Yeah, I'd agree with CJ on this. As much as I hate to admit it (and I'm lining myself up for stick), it is designed for ease of access and use by elderly. Door opens good and wide, and it very comfy for driving, so should be good for your mums spine and knee. The 1.4l is painfully slow though, I'd say the diesel might be a better option.

[CJ]

The 1.4l is painfully slow though, I'd say the diesel might be a better option.

We've a 1.6, its got reasonable poke (relatively speaking) but you've got the issue of extra road tax. The petrol autos are generally 1.5 engined if I'm not mistaken, would assume the earlier diesels are a bit on the agricultural side?

[TopCat]

The petrol autos are generally 1.5 engined if I'm not mistaken, would assume the earlier diesels are a bit on the agricultural side?

Not sure about the 1.5 TBH. It was a while ago, but I remember driving the TDCI (can't rememeber if it was 1.8 or 2.0) and being pleasantly surprised.

[colm_mcm]

There's only 1.4 and 1.6 in the Focus, if it's the 100hp with the auto it won't be overly nippy.
I wouldn't bother with the 1.6 or automatic in an A3.

Suggestions to follow.

[colm_mcm]

Mazda3 1.6 Auto (110hp)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3439202

[Kace]

Some nice ideas there lads alright - thanks,

Mazda looks good and Focus is definitely a good choice also. The search begins....

Thanks.

[colm_mcm]

Hows about an s60 2.0t auto?

[Sebastian]

I would like to see my folks in something more classy . . .

Mercedes C 180 ,auto .. you can find a 02 -03 model for around 3 k mark



BMW 520 auto - plenty of nice ones around for 3 k ( 01-03 model)



Jaguar S-type 04 - for 3k ( can be found cheaper)



Others apart the usual avensis focus and audi types ?? say beetle , Hrv or even alfa 159 ?

[Kace]

Yeah nice as well, but tax and fuel costs would rule those out as impractical. Bear in mind that they currently run a car that's worth about 50p and want nothing more really than something that runs reliably day to day and can be taxed and fuelled without breaking the bank.

[Sebastian]

why spend 3 k on a car then

get a 1.2 or less auto ,206/stilo/punto /corsa/fabia for 1-1.5 k , and with the rest of the cash tax it for 5 years and you are sorted

[colm_mcm]

There is a happy middle ground. Maybe they don't want to spend €425 every 3 months on tax.

[Myfeckin FTO]

I think that A2 you mentioned in the first post is a cracking car and probably all the car your parents need.
I'd love an A2 as a runaround (much prefer to a base A3).

[David]

Guys / gals - looking for some advice from ye all in relation to parents cars....

My Mum is looking for something new as my old Volvo 480 is starting to get serious NCT pressure these days. Also it's very low slung and my Mum has pins in her spine and has just had a knee replacement, so it's a tough car to manage.

Any ideas on what would be a nice car, not a supermini or a small car, but something higher, slightly classier and bigger (but not huge) for about €3k. Automatic would probably also be ideal. I would like to give them my FTO to keep it in the family when I replace this year, however it's too low slung as well so doesn't fit the bill.

I was thinking that an A2 would be cool, although I think with the knee that an automatic might be better.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A2/1.4-SE-7/201218208021219/advert?channel=CARS

A3 would probably be good as well as it's a good size and a hatchback.

I'm sure that some of you motorheads have been asked for similar advice from your elders - keen to hear what options have you advised in the past, or think would be suitable.

Thanks

K

Hey Kace,


What does the 480 need for the NCT? Are they considering selling it?

Audi A2 sounds good


David

[David]

Kace you have PM.

[goz_83]

Would she consider an old Astra? The 98-2004 model is the best of the bunch imo. They are a very reliable car. 1.4 standard and cheap to run. I had an Astra for my first car. After 2 years of young male driving and two minor accidents, the only thing that needed to be done (aside from bumper repair) was the clutch. Looking back, I drove it hard and it held together very well. I think I had it a good year after that anf had no trouble. Sold it to my sisters friend for buttons when I got a company car and she crashed it, but afaik, it's still on the road, running strong. Here is a cheap example in Dublin http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2506315

[colm_mcm]

Astras aren't even slightly classy though.

[goz_83]

Astras aren't even slightly classy though.

That's a matter of taste. Besides, Kace asked for "slightly classier" than the 480 and I think the Astra certainly is. It's also a good comfortable car and has heaps of space with the h/back version versatile enough to get a fridge/freezer stuffed in for transportation

it's also not a million miles from looking like an A2.

[Myfeckin FTO]

........it's also not a million miles from looking like an A2.

It would need to go through the crusher to look like an A2 but that would represent a serious step up in looks - the standard Astra hatch is one of the most boring shapes on the road.

At least with the A2 you get a well designed hatch made largely from aluminium (as per the A8) with an upmarket interior (it was a very expensive car for Audi to produce). Any accident damage will likely write the A2 off though as the cost to repair the aluminium chassis would be well beyond the value of the car. They are currently specatular value for money in my book though and they won't age anything like similar era small hatches.

[David]

Astras aren't even slightly classy though.

That's a matter of taste. Besides, Kace asked for "slightly classier" than the 480 and I think the Astra certainly is. It's also a good comfortable car and has heaps of space with the h/back version versatile enough to get a fridge/freezer stuffed in for transportation

it's also not a million miles from looking like an A2.

Those old Volvo's are seriously comfortable and fairly well equipped with heated seats on most models. Having said that the Astra does seem to tick most of the boxes and 3k would probably buy you a very nice one.

[colm_mcm]

Even as a new car, an astra is/was the poor relation to even humdrum stuff like golfs and focuss. The only way it's more desirable than the old Volvo is because it's newer.

[CJ]

Just to mix it up in the A2 territory, how about some form of A class?



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3441138

[colm_mcm]

You won't get much of an A Class for 3 grand though. You'd be looking at the old model. My mother was looking at buying that partiucular A Class you linked CJ, but worries over rusting (which is very common on the doors of that model) and poor engine accessability making for expensive servicing put her off (thankfully)

The space in those newer model A Classes is huge though and I can see why someone would buy one. The old model is a bit of a poor effort IMO

[Sebastian]

What about a Honda Fit / Jazz ?