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

Kevin helps his spouse’s grandmother exchange her outdated Saturn. The household is on the lookout for a automotive fitted 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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Right here is the situation:

My spouse’s grandmother wants to exchange her 2001 Saturn SL. I don’t suppose she believes it, however her 1 mechanic, 7 youngsters, 32 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren all agree that the Saturn ought to not orbit round city. I’m in search of your assist in discovering an acceptable alternative 4-door sedan that the household can current to her.

The important thing 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!

Whereas this will not be essentially the most full of life of searches, I believe 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

Fast Information:

Funds: as much as $15,000

Location: New England

Day by day Driver: Sure

Needs: Easy, dependable, not too large

Doesn’t need: One thing too tech-heavy

Professional 1: Tom McParland – Soul Easy

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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 difficult half with this situation is discovering one thing trendy sufficient to have some life left within the automotive however not too latest. Like many instances earlier than, the place somebody is on the lookout for an inexpensive and sensible automotive, the reply is the Kia Soul. Examples are plentiful, and in contrast to most Japanese automobiles that may have a lot larger miles at this value level, you’ll be able to rating a Kia with properly underneath 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 of us. Should you goal 2015/2016 fashions you’ll find a pleasant large shifter within the center and easy-to-use HVAC and radio controls. An additional advantage to the Soul is the upright physique model which supplies good sight traces for navigating native site visitors. Here is an example with just under 70,000 for around $14,000.

Professional 2: Andy Kalmowitz – The Smart Alternative

Nobody within the Jalopnik workplaces would ever describe me as an inexpensive individual, however that’s about to vary. Proper right here is the most suitable choice to your expensive outdated grandma. I ought to know. My grandma is 87 and actually desires to purchase a brand new automotive since her 2004 Chrysler City & Nation 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 on the lookout for. It’s the suitable value. It’s easy. It’s dependable, and it’s not large in any respect. In truth, it’s nearly the identical measurement as her Saturb. Inside there are actually zero screens (aside 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 a giant a shifter as doable for a compact automotive. In a phrase, it’s good.

This particular example is a 2013 mannequin situated in Massachusetts and has underneath 34,000 miles on the clock. For a Toyota, that’s nearly actually model new. In addition, it’s received a clear Carfax report and is available in a somewhat fairly child blue coloration. What extra may ya ask for? Kevin, my good friend, make the suitable selection. Purchase a Corolla to your grandma. She’ll thanks later.

Professional 3: Adam Ismail – The Greatest Match

These are the type of WCSYB prompts that actually make you suppose. On the floor, there’s not a lot to it: low-cost, environment friendly, dependable, easy transportation that may carry on chugging for a few years to return. However the “no screens” ask form of throws a wrench in that, as a result of most automobiles constructed throughout the final decade will fail to adjust to that standards. Additionally, Andy already mentioned Corolla, so what the hell are the remainder of us imagined to do?

Certainly, that’s in all probability the only option — however so too can be a Civic or a Match. The Civic received somewhat… angular round this time, with a semi-complicated sprint, and I may see that being somewhat intimidating for an older driver. So 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 general this instance is fairly clear regardless of its historical past. And, although your spouse’s grandma might not care, this technology of Match undoubtedly regarded one of the best. She deserves one thing rad.

Professional 4: José Rodríguez Jr. – Easy, Clear Layouts FTW

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

If the dimensions of this Element is just not best, then perhaps this 2009 Toyota Matrix is likely to be a greater match, no pun meant. The Matrix combines the shape issue of the Toyota Corolla and Honda Match 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 screen is mainly a sliver on the sprint. It’s gloriously easy. Add within the reliability Toyota is understood for, and the Matrix might be it!

The one I linked is pricy, however with underneath 45,000 miles on the odometer, it’s able to go for an additional 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 underneath the rebadge it’s much like the Matrix.