A good car for an old folk?

Submitted by imzeigen t3_118jta7 in BuyItForLife

Hello, my gran parents are looking for a new car. My grand mother is kind of tech savy, she drives a 2008 honda pilot and has a 2003 honda element that she completely refuses to sell. So far so good, however my grand father has a toyota avalon 2003 I believe (bench seat) and it is on its second engine, first one got replaced mostly for a mix of 'oil changes are a scam' and I think I did the oil change 6 months ago. Anyway, the car is completely rusted and won't pass another inspection.

We went car shooping for a new one, but they all have too many buttons and my grandpa really isn't tech savy at all. The most he will do is use CDs and thats about it. I think we have seen pretty much every single sedan (he doesn't like SUVs) and all of them have touch screens and they just seem complicated.

So basically I have two questions if somebody has been in this situation, has anybody seen or knows of a brand new car that is very simple to operate? and that also can last 10-20 years, because the moment if starts failing I will be the one to blame for suggesting it (I will be looking for the maintenance now)

​

Thanks!

12

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

zclake88 t1_j9i83sd wrote

Nothing is bifl if the owner thinks oil changes are a scam. Get a camry or an accord and be done with it.

53

grownuphere t1_j9hmt98 wrote

A lot of folks in that demographic seem to gravitate towards the Subaru Forrester. Easy to get in, easy to get out, and terrific visibility.

48

waehrik t1_j9ii811 wrote

Odd choice considering the timing belt and head gasket issues

6

zclake88 t1_j9k9ecr wrote

What do you drive?

1

waehrik t1_j9kfvmh wrote

Polestar 2 for me, Ioniq 5 for my wife

2

zclake88 t1_j9knt1i wrote

So you’re driving a car that has a 3 year track record and denigrating a car that has numerous instances of exceeding 300000 miles because of a repair that costs $1200?

Odd choice considering the cost of a battery pack.

2

waehrik t1_j9kuli3 wrote

I agree. And you'll note that I've never claimed either to be BIFL or known to be particularly reliable or low maintenance. Only that Subaru is not.

0

zclake88 t1_j9kvg5w wrote

Subarus are reliable and low maintenance. So what I’m saying is you don’t know what you’re talking about.

3

F-21 t1_j9nq2ot wrote

I think the issues are a bit overblown online, and mostly resolved with recent models (OP is looking for a new car after all). The ~2000-2013 models were more notorious for these issues.

1

[deleted] t1_j9jqnl8 wrote

Also came here to recommend a Subaru. My 80 year old relative drives an Outback, a 73 year old relative drives a Forester, and a 30 year old relative also has a Forester. Subarus are reasonably sturdy, drive great in all weather, but most importantly have many safety features which are especially helpful for older folks.

6

honbadger1014 t1_j9kaq0i wrote

Subaru recently changed up their 2023 forester to have a bigger display where a lot of the controls are via the touch screen. The Crosstrek appears to not have been updated yet, due to this I'd recommend the cross trek for an older person if they prefer buttons and the tactile touch of that!

3

spambearpig t1_j9ibjyi wrote

‘Oil changes are a scam’?

How do you live a long life and believe something like that?

Get a Honda Jazz or a goddamn Peugeot, that’s what old people drive.

29

imzeigen OP t1_j9lv3bu wrote

Not that maintenance in general is a scam, but that places that do it are. He used long time ago to do its own maintenance. TBH he really doesn't take care of his cars, which is weird, my grand mother keeps her cars super pristine. Her honda element hits the dealership every 6 months most of the times with less than a 1000 miles difference.

I really don't know what my granpa thinks but he thinks they try to oversell stuff and charge too much for things he could get in autozone for cheaper and do it self. Stuff like that sort, but yeah, he doesn't take care of his cars just tires, breaks and stuff that breaks.

4

DrawingEducational99 t1_j9jhfkc wrote

As someone who was hit by an overwhelmed 80 y/o woman head on, its time for one (arguably) both your parents to stop driving. If “oil changes are a scam” and an infotainment screen and turn-signals are too overwhelming, they’re either in early stages of dementia or just a hazard to the public. Buy them an old Honda or, ideally, dont let them drive at all. how did they make it this far? Cars have been inundated with additional features/ tech as labeled buttons for 20-25+ years now. No BIFL suggestion here, time to get the wheels off the road.

11

21plankton t1_j9hz3p7 wrote

Consider a low mileage 2015 sedan. Even with a touch screen there will not be much operability left, and everything will be buttons. Tell grandpa he only has to push the ones he wants to.

10

rottentomati t1_j9ig6tc wrote

Just get him another old Toyota or Honda. No sense in destroying a newer car with lack of maintenance.

10

tmcuthbert t1_j9jkz7f wrote

I’m 46 and waiting for the backlash against infotainment features to start so I can buy a new car. Can some car company just give me a spot for my phone on the dash? I already bring it everywhere anyway. I don’t want a big screen tv in my car. My Dad’s 70 and drives a new Camry hybrid and there’s so much going on in the dashboard it gives me a headache, I don’t know how he deals with it.

9

CafeVelo t1_j9jwvhh wrote

I (30s) recently had a modern rental and drove a fleet car with onboard infotainment systems. I’ve never felt more like an old man waving a cane in the air than I did just trying to connect my phone so I could get navigation and podcasts over the speakers. My own car is 12 years old and has a dot matrix screen that tells you the name of the song on fm radio and that’s it. It has a line in and I got a Bluetooth receiver that I keep in the center console. I would use this arrangement indefinitely over whatever is going on in new cars.

6

manos_de_pietro t1_j9kxerj wrote

Same. I bought a 1999 Toyota 4Runner last year and plan to drive it until one of us dies. I'm 55, so it's a toss up :p

1

CafeVelo t1_j9mhtzl wrote

I’m sort of in the market for a car but there’s a lot of factors. I’m 0% interested spending significant money on a petroleum vehicle and I don’t really think EVs are ready for prime time, nor do I want to spend what they currently cost. Plus, every EV I’ve seen is full of screens and I really do hate that. At the same time an older vehicle, especially at the price I’d care to spend, has its own problems. I know at some point I’ll have to face the music.

2

manos_de_pietro t1_j9mi5c2 wrote

Maybe a late - model hybrid would work? I was looking for a Sienna or Highlander but couldn't find one that I could afford and I was determined not to have a sedan (we already have those, need something with ride height and cargo space)

1

throwaway126400963 t1_j9p79uj wrote

Actually ford does the same thing back in the late 2000s to early 2010s with the sync 2 system and it has bluetooth audio and calling, plus add on to the fact my 08 escape and 2011 f150 were tanks (outside of general maintenance like fluids and batteries and previous owner lack of maintenance)

escape rusted out, f150 sold due to a high offer of 20k in 2020

1

CafeVelo t1_j9pbgjb wrote

Must have phased it out by 13. One of my company’s vehicles is a 13 escape and it had a Microsoft interface that would fail to communicate with my phone at least half the time unless I did the pairing process from the start every time I started the car.

1

throwaway126400963 t1_j9pishl wrote

Yeah it was an older box body I think they switched to the streamlined in 2012-2013

Also could have been wrong on the sync system version but I coulda swore my f150 with the same display was 2, might have only been 1

1

Ylime08 t1_j9ktexe wrote

I'm in my early 40s and drive a 2015 Hyundai. I still don't know what some of the buttons and options on the touchscreen do. I'm with you on the phone holder. Give me somewhere to put it and I'll be happy.

2

anasthesia- t1_j9m68cj wrote

Most cars now have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto at least, so you can just plug in your phone and the screen mirrors the phone (with restrictions for safety of course). So you can just play your phone's music and use the map program of your choice.

1

thatguymatty288 t1_j9tgzru wrote

2022 Volkswagon up! Integrates your phone in the dash as the entertainment system I believe.

1

vacuous_comment t1_j9hzurq wrote

> ...first one got replaced mostly for a mix of 'oil changes are a scam' and I think I did the oil change 6 months ago.

Your grandfather should not have a car.

Maybe an electric would be fine, but somebody that abusive of tech is a danger to themselves and others.

Your grandmother does not need another car until both of hers croak.

6

scarybirds00 t1_j9iqkjy wrote

Camry, accord, or Mazda CX5 for more sporty option. Subaru forester also a solid choice.

6

BatmanBrandon t1_j9hpvrg wrote

Just have them go look at a new Camry Hybrid. The car will most certainly outlive them, it’s roughly the same size as the Avalon he’s been driving, has great visibility and safety, and an LE model is pretty simple in terms of the “tech”.

5

that_cachorro_life t1_j9ikc9n wrote

I have a subaru crosstrek, it still has a screen, but you can control the radio, temp, etc all with buttons. It's also great for old folk because it has EyeSight. This makes the car stop automatically if it senses something in front of it - makes accidents less likely. This also reduces your car insurance rates. If the crosstrek seems too much like an SUV, the Impreza is the same body but lower to the ground, also cheaper.

5

Walton1993 t1_j9hjkjp wrote

Well they are all pretty simple to operate, gas breaks turning signals….you don’t have to touch any of the fancy buttons. You might be overthinking this.

4

imzeigen OP t1_j9hy0bk wrote

Thank you all. I think one of the musts to have is a CD. But I think most cars don’t have it. I think we saw a Mazda 2 2020 that still had it. I think we will end up buying something used. The Camry looked promising. Also thanks for the suggestion of the forester. I think that one had a cd player. But it went to the no list because it didn’t had a proper temperature sensor gauge.

4

SeltzerConnoisseur t1_j9jl9o2 wrote

It might be worth investigating and pricing an aftermarket cd player installation.

3

plasmaticD t1_j9l9knv wrote

Hi u/imzeigen, my wife and I are 70 and drive a 2021 Honda Pilot with nav and entertainment center (which plays CD's or blu-ray). When you insert a CD it starts playing, real simple. It does have the center screen though. We aren't technology shy. We've had great service life from our Hondas and Acuras. As an alternative to BIFL, Honda leasing in some cases will get them out of the vehicle before any major maintenance is required, like new tires. We leased a very basic Acura through a nationally advertised promotion previously for a great price. You likely would be unable to put in an aftermarket cd player though, so a more upscale model with an entertainment system will be required, which would likely be bundled with navigation system too. I miss our Element, Civic, Fit, and the Prelude 2 seater we had 40 years ago!

1

PScooter63 t1_j9vkxr4 wrote

Too bad about the Forester. It sounds like your relative is looking for a reassuring interface, but here's the thing: the functionality didn't actually go away, it just changed form. ( Just about everything he/she knows about a car has changed form.)

This sounds like either they didn't like the vehicle, and used the gauge as a convenient excuse, OR someone needs to explain to them how engine temperatures are reported in a modern vehicle (because they are, they must be).

1

imzeigen OP t1_j9vnsdg wrote

Well my grandad actually liked the forester, I didn’t think he would like it since it is a SUV and he only had ever had sedans and trucks. As for the gauge to be able to monitor the temperature while driving in case the thermostat fails or you are pushing too hard. But he is happy with the forester. Very easy to get in an out and apparently has a good sound system. The guy we bought it from offered to install the gauge for free. Personally or looks ugly but he is happy. Has everything in his wish list.

2

waehrik t1_j9iie1h wrote

Why the CD player? If they're reasonably tech savvy you could show them how to load everything into their phone or a standalone media player and play their music over Bluetooth or Aux. Or just go Spotify. Any newer car will have Android Auto/Carplay which makes for a much nicer experience.

−2

imzeigen OP t1_j9lvra4 wrote

My grand parents are completely opposite except in one thing. They love music and I have not seen another library or shop that has half of the collection they have. My grandmother is more tech savy, she has an iphone XS or XR not sure it starts with X, knows how to use bluetooth and all that. My granpa has my old granmother iphone8 and only uses it for calls and some times because he always forgets to charge it.

My granpa really likes cds and to hear radio, I have tried a lot of times to teach him to use bluetooth and spotify, but he really doesn't want nor care.

1

pastaman5 t1_j9hwpby wrote

Everything new is gonna pretty much have touch screen infotainment, unless you’re looking into some fleet vehicles (work trucks, vans, etc.). So if he wants basic, he’s going to need to buy used for sure.

3

F-21 t1_j9nq6nj wrote

Maybe consider a cheap Dacia. Not sure if they sell them in the US though.

1

lellywest t1_j9hkxts wrote

A lot if the “newfangled tech” in modern vehicles is required by law now (safety features) so some of the stuff he will have to accept if buying a brand new car.

With that said, have you looked at Hyundai? I know three older folks with Hyundai sedans, and all love them.

2

tinymonesters t1_j9lal6s wrote

oil changes are a scam

I knew a guy in college that got a Nissan Altima and drove it 45,000 miles with the OEM oil. So I'd recommend that.

2

imzeigen OP t1_j9lwjtb wrote

Well, thank you all! we ended up with a used subaru forester. It had the CD radio and I guess will work awesome since it is 4WD. My granpa didn't like the fact that it wasn't a sedan but he says that it was very easy to get in and out. The guy we bought it is a garage mechanic, he told him that he will install the temperature gauge for free and that he can take care of the oil changes, I guess what mostly sold to my grandpa was the subwoofer, no idea my granpa was a bass head. Thank you all! We will be picking it up tomorrow or the day after tomorrow since the mechanic will be installing the temperature gauge, once we have it I will share a picture.

2

AutoModerator t1_j9hgz2p wrote

Hello /u/imzeigen! Thank you for your submission! The AutoMod thought that your post might be a request type post and has changed the flair accordingly, but if this was wrong feel free to change it back!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

samuraistabber t1_j9iyzb1 wrote

Not necessarily brand new but if you can find a good, well-maintained 2018 Lexus ES350 it’s got everything you’re looking for. Advanced enough with backup camera, push to start, lane assist etc, but not too techy for your grandpa. Plus it’s got a CD player. A well-maintained Lexus can last you many years.

1

Crafty_Ad5561 t1_j9jjomk wrote

Old Honda CRV I think they’re called. Get one from late 2000s, early 2010s.

1

cronx42 t1_j9jut85 wrote

Basically any Toyota or 4 cyl Honda should last for decades if taken care of.

1

zombienudist t1_j9jvs30 wrote

Really a BEV would likely be the best option. No fuss and muss. Put a charge point at their place and their car is always charged and ready to go. No oil changes so they won't have to get "scammed". 8 year warranty on the battery for most so that will be covered. But if they are scared of new tech they likely wouldn't go for that. Even something like an older low range Leaf would work for many as they would only need a car for running around town.

1

aced124C t1_j9jyosr wrote

Chevy bolt it’s actually really simplified if you get a base model not tech heavy knobs and buttons and it’s maintenance free pretty much and super affordable. The range is not amazing between 220 -300 depending on how you drive weather etc but if that’s good enough for them and they own a driveway it’s a great car and likely to last a long time as Evs have a really low breakdown rate in general cause of less moving parts and they have the 8yr/100k mile warranty on major components but wouldn’t be surprised if it far outlasts that

1

ak80048 t1_j9k3h9v wrote

r/whatcarshouldibuy

1

vboreddesigner t1_j9k86e9 wrote

If you can find a 2013 Honda fit (or jazz depending on where you are) there are no screens or anything. Maybe look for stuff from that era? Or 14-16?

1

jaduwe t1_j9l4dzb wrote

I’m in my 40’s and drive an old Subaru waiting out a new one. I don’t need/want anything with “chrome” and a touch screen/million buttons. I just want to drive.

1

LN4848 t1_j9lptaa wrote

A crossover. Honda CRV hybrid as they are experienced Honda owners. The Accord is the new old folksmobile, but the CRV has more body around it and is safer in an accident.

1

DrKennethNoisewater- t1_j9lyhyd wrote

Brand new cars minus tech? The cheapest option available. 10-20 years? Probably none if you don’t change the oil. I’d probably take a look at Kia. Otherwise find a 98 crown Victoria in New Mexico.

1

imzeigen OP t1_j9m12ln wrote

He actually had a towncar until he crashed it. RWD cars suck in winter. He ended up setting for a forester, thanks!

2

DrKennethNoisewater- t1_j9m1vbw wrote

Please tell him to change the oil and wash the car. That Avalon would still be on the first engine and may not be completely rotted out and still going if he does so. I live in Wisconsin so I know cars aren’t truly BIFL with the salt factor.

1

imzeigen OP t1_j9m45v8 wrote

Oh yeah they really aren’t. But if you take care of them they last enough. Here it is common to have a summer car and a bester for winter. In the family we said that my grandmother had two summer dads and my grandfather two beaters. His other car was a Ford ranger. I think those ford rangers outside the rust belt are actually BIFL. It had 320k miles with minor maintenance and a water pump and alternator

1

GreatRhinoceros t1_j9howma wrote

Maybe it's about time for him to tuck away the drivers licensed.

0

gentoll t1_j9k2k5n wrote

Any Jeeps (wrangler or liberty) that aren’t meant for luxury and are older tend to have pretty simple dashboards without all the bells and whistles seen on most cars. Bonus that they are also 4WD so better handling for your grandparents in any bad weather.

0