My MIL needs a new car. What to get?
 

My Mother-in-law is 78 and currently drives a 2000 Mercedes C230 that she bought new. It is a good car and she does not have any problem with it except getting in and out of it. Typical arthritis issues. It has about 50,000 miles on it.

She is looking for a bigger vehicle mostly because they are easier to get into and out of. Her Mercedes requires premium fuel and she would like to get away from that. She lives in a small town 90 miles from a major metro area. For the most part she is the prototype "little old lady that drives back and forth to church and the grocery store." If the weather is icy or bad, she just stays home so 4 wheel drive is not needed.

She is looking for something in the mid 30s that is safe, reliable and gets decent gas mileage. So many of the nicer cars seem to fall into the big high horsepower mode and get 16 MPG. She does not want a big engine. She will never ever want to tow anything, drag race or carry a heavy load. She does want a car with 4 doors, coupes are out.

She is likely to buy a new car just to avoid any of the previous owner problems.

Where you you start looking?

She did not like my suggestion of a Panamera GTS. ;)

Just another C should do it...you can put mid grade in the naturally aspirated ones.

Small SUV. Easiest entry and exit, loading from the rear at a decent height. They make sense. She may balk.

+1. Lexus RX might be just the ticket if she doesn't mind used.

Many of the older ladies at our church have moved to minivans. They love the visibility and convenience. Maybe something sort of in-between like the Mazda 5 or VW Tiguan?

Small SUV is on the radar. Just which one is the big question.

i like that little benz SUV. cant remember the model number.

i tried to talk my aunt into one..she wont let any part of her body touch anything except mercedes..and she has arthritic knees.

Honda CRV, most popular for a reason.

Less than you are looking to spend, my folks recently bought a Elantra. I very impressed with it, much nicer than the price point would indicate.

You can't go too far wrong in your choice. Almost everyone is making "good" cars nowadays. And her needs don't sound complicated.

Just look for a chair-like seating position, power seat, adjustable pedals and/or telescopic steering, and leather so she slides in/out easier. The seat should be just a few inches lower (when adjusted in her preferred position) than her hip when standing outside the car. If she's short, a car will do. If she's taller, maybe a front-drive cute-ute.

A back-up camera would be nice.

A hood ornament helps with depth perception (or add one, or add corner markers)

Make sure she is comfortable gripping and moving the shifter. Some cars are pretty hard when you lose hand strength or have arthritis. A column shift is easiest. Same with turning the key/ignition. Perhaps a pushbutton starter and entry ala Nissan would be nice.

Subaru Outback. I convinced my MIL to buy one when her Honda Accord expired. That was 4 years ago and she has had zero problems with the car over now 80K miles. I drove it recently and it felt like a new car. Not rattles or shakes - just a solid nice car. Lots of options for the new ones but I think nicely equipped she could easily stay under $30K.

Thanks. I give your opinion high regards in things automotive.

Seniors i know seem to love the Toyota Highlander, most changed over from Mercedes, Caddies, etc.

That is what my dad has. He likes it. It did have one weird problem. One of the freeze plugs started leaking. Every few weeks he had to add antifreeze. It cost a lot to replace that dang freeze plug.

CRV or Pilot

Toyota RAV-4, Highlander, or even Venza (tall wagon, ask Seahawk) would work
Honda CRV (meh)
Nissan Rogue or Murano (ask wdfifteen, his mom just got a Murano)
Kia Sportage or Sorento
Hyundai Tuscon or Santa Fe
Ford Escape (wait for new one) or Edge (ask Angela!)
Subaru Legacy Outback or Forester
Chev Equinox (great gas mileage!)
2013 Buick Encore (not out yet)
Infiniti EX
Mazda's new CX5

Juke :)

Ford Fusion Hybrid

SUVs will be harder and harder to get in/out of as she ages. The seating position is too tall, IMO.

i was just thinking along the same lines. my knee has been killing me. climbing up into my tacoma is funny looking. i would get a roomy sedan.

Funny you should mention that...when I think geriatric, I think vash. ;)

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