Mum needs a new car

Big Chris

Big Chris

Big Chris

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Joined
5 Apr 2004
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Location
Bloxham
My Mum, who's 76 in a couple of months, just wrote her car off. Thankfully she came off much better than the car!

She's had an automatic for the past 7yrs and can drive manual, but would very much rather stick with auto (she's even just said this is non-negotiable!).

She's got around £8k max to spend and isn't in the least bit bothered about brands or looks, she just wants something practical and reliable which can fit four adults in from time to time, but mostly just her, or her and my two kids aged 9 & 6.

My first thought was Ford Focus, looked at a few from around 2013/14 and prices seem to be reasonable. Does anyone have any experience with the Powershift gearbox?

Any other options I should consider? Golfs around £8k seem to be a few years older, Vauxhall Astra worth a look too perhaps?
 
Diddums said:
She's 75. It's time for a Honda Jazz. There's a reason so many elderly drive them. She'll love it.
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No, it's V8 time! It's always V8 time! :D
Fun fact, the Jazz has the most stolen Cat, due to how easy it is to access/quick to cut off. They write the cars off because they cost more than the cars average value to replace.
 
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Quartz said:
At her age maybe it's time to quit driving.
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She's been driving for 50+ years and this is her first accident of note. Car only written off as it was basically worthless in the first place (2011 Vauxhall Zafira with 120k on the clock).

Thanks for your input though.
 
I'm still driving a 2016 Astra petrol auto. It love it for excellent visibility and being very easy to drive. They're around 8k.

Although I would also be suggesting no more driving as accidents get a lot more likely as people age.
 
throwaway4372 said:
I'm still driving a 2016 Astra petrol auto. It love it for excellent visibility and being very easy to drive. They're around 8k.

Although I would also be suggesting no more driving as accidents get a lot more likely as people age.
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Have you had any issues with the auto box on the Astra?

She's actually a good driver, believe me I wouldn't let her have my kids in the car with her if I didn't trust her.
 
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Deleted member 280263 said:
No, it's V8 time! It's always V8 time! :D
Fun fact, the Jazz has the most stolen Cat, due to how easy it is to access/quick to cut off. They write the cars off because they cost more than the cars average value to replace.
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That's mostly the MK1. With the later ones it's much harder to reach.

Avoid Hondas and the larger Toyotas with the semi-auto gearboxes though.
 
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Big Chris said:
My Mum, who's 76 in a couple of months, just wrote her car off. Thankfully she came off much better than the car!

She's had an automatic for the past 7yrs and can drive manual, but would very much rather stick with auto (she's even just said this is non-negotiable!).

She's got around £8k max to spend and isn't in the least bit bothered about brands or looks, she just wants something practical and reliable which can fit four adults in from time to time, but mostly just her, or her and my two kids aged 9 & 6.

My first thought was Ford Focus, looked at a few from around 2013/14 and prices seem to be reasonable. Does anyone have any experience with the Powershift gearbox?

Any other options I should consider? Golfs around £8k seem to be a few years older, Vauxhall Astra worth a look too perhaps?
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powershift focus excellent car , just make sure gearbox has been services, i aim for every 30k think dealers are more like 40k.
if services for gearbox have been missed forget it. as daughter found out 4k upwards.
did my service myself just to be sure last week kits are cheap and average diy can do it easily.
 
gc123 said:
powershift focus excellent car , just make sure gearbox has been services, i aim for every 30k think dealers are more like 40k.
if services for gearbox have been missed forget it. as daughter found out 4k upwards.
did my service myself just to be sure last week kits are cheap and average diy can do it easily.
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ford make it easy there a seperate section in service book just for auto box service,
 
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hornetstinger said:
agree, or at least have a driving test/reaction, situational awareness exam.

Did she write the car off by pulling out in front of a truck that has amber strobe lights, or accident like tyre blowing out, then losing control?
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Or go on a track day? :D
 
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