Grandma Needs a Simple, Reliable Car With No Touchscreens! What Car Should She Buy?

Kevin helps his spouse’s grandmother change her previous Saturn. The household is searching for a automotive suited 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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Here is the state of affairs:

My spouse’s grandmother wants to switch 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 substitute 4-door sedan that the household can current to her.

The key right here is discovering a automotive that’s easy with apparent performance elements. For instance, a pronounced automated shifter and massive radio buttons – completely no screens!

While this will not be essentially the most full of life of searches, I feel the problem is a noble one among looking for a extra up-to-date automotive with old-school simplicity. We don’t need to spend greater than $15,000

Quick Facts:

Budget: as much as $15,000

Location: New England

Daily Driver: Yes

Wants: Simple, dependable, not too large

Doesn’t need: Something too tech-heavy

Expert 1: Tom McParland – Soul Simple

Convincing somebody who has held onto their automotive for such a very long time that it’s time to improve isn’t simple, particularly since they’re used to the routine of their present trip. The tough half with this state of affairs is discovering one thing fashionable sufficient to have some life left within the automotive however not too latest. Like many instances earlier than, the place somebody is searching for an reasonably priced and sensible automotive, the reply is the Kia Soul. Examples are plentiful, and in contrast to most Japanese vehicles that can have a lot larger miles at this value level, you possibly can rating a Kia with properly below 100,000 miles on the clock.

The Soul isn’t a conventional sedan physique like she is used to however the barely larger trip top makes ingress/egress a bit simpler for older people. If you goal 2015/2016 fashions you will see that a pleasant large shifter within the center and easy-to-use HVAC and radio controls. An additional benefit to the Soul is the upright physique model which offers good sight strains for navigating native visitors. Here is an instance with just below 70,000 for round $14,000.

Expert 2: Andy Kalmowitz – The Sensible Choice

No one within the Jalopnik places of work would ever describe me as an inexpensive individual, however that’s about to alter. Right right here is the best choice to your pricey previous grandma. I ought to know. My grandma is 87 and actually needs to purchase a brand new automotive since her 2004 Chrysler Town & Country is a bit lengthy within the tooth. I’m making an attempt to get her into one among these myself.

The tenth technology Corolla checks each single field your grandma is searching for. It’s the suitable value. It’s easy. It’s dependable, and it’s not large in any respect. In reality, it’s nearly the identical dimension as her Saturb. Inside there are actually zero screens (apart 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 received about as an enormous a shifter as doable for a compact automotive. In a phrase, it’s good.

This specific instance is a 2013 mannequin situated in Massachusetts and has below 34,000 miles on the clock. For a Toyota, that’s nearly actually model new. To boot, it’s received a clear Carfax report and is available in a slightly fairly child blue shade. What extra may ya ask for? Kevin, my good friend, make the suitable alternative. Buy a Corolla to your grandma. She’ll thanks later.

Expert 3: Adam Ismail – The Best Fit

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. But the “no screens” ask type of throws a wrench in that, as a result of most vehicles constructed throughout the final decade will fail to adjust to that standards. Also, Andy already stated Corolla, so what the hell are the remainder of us alleged to do?

Indeed, that’s most likely the only option — however so too can be a Civic or a Fit. The Civic received 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 right 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 eternally. 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 Fit undoubtedly appeared the very best. She deserves one thing rad.

Expert 4: José Rodríguez Jr. – Simple, Clean Layouts FTW

Kevin, your spouse’s grandmother’s 20+ yr run together with her Saturn SL is superior. After twenty years in a small sedan, I can see why she’d choose to maintain the identical kind issue, however one thing like Tom’s Kia Soul or, say, a Honda Element could possibly be a pleasant improve to the Saturn. The Element has easy-to-read controls and the gear shifter is up on the sprint.

If the scale of this Element just isn’t best, then possibly this 2009 Toyota Matrix could be a greater match, no pun meant. The Matrix combines the shape issue of the Toyota Corolla and Honda Fit 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 thought for, and the Matrix could possibly be it!

The one I linked is pricy, however with below 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 below the rebadge it’s much like the Matrix.