New cars for grandparent age group

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › New cars for grandparent age group

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1055 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 372

#2653148 10-Feb-2021 16:19

Have you considered Kia?

Something along the lines of a Cerato hatch, in possibly LX spec. LX and up includes 3 years scheduled servicing, plus piece of mind 5 year manufacturer warranty

https://www.kia.co.nz/vehicles/cerato/

Features include:

2.0L Petrol Engine
6-speed Automatic
Front Wheel Drive
16" Alloys
6 Airbags
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Lane Keep Assist
Blind Spot Detection
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Driver Attention Alert
Electronic Stability Control
Smart Key with Engine Start / Stop Button
8" Colour LCD Touchscreen Infotainment
Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™
5 star ANCAP rating (2019 Standard)

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#2654594 11-Feb-2021 12:44

Re the apparent shortage of new Jazz cars - I assume it may be to do with Honda NZ finally confirming they’ll be bringing in the new model. It’ll be interesting to see the specs of the NZ specific models, incl whether any have the 360 camera you’re looking for. The article below reports the range will include hybrid models.

(The Jazz has typically been an excellent small car, especially in their Tardis-like ability to generate so much internal space from what is a fairly compact size. Certainly worth a look, even in current form.)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124095238/nextgen-honda-jazz-headed-to-new-zealand

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#2654609 11-Feb-2021 13:13

jonathan18:

Re the apparent shortage of new Jazz cars - I assume it may be to do with Honda NZ finally confirming they’ll be bringing in the new model. It’ll be interesting to see the specs of the NZ specific models, incl whether any have the 360 camera you’re looking for. The article below reports the range will include hybrid models.

(The Jazz has typically been an excellent small car, especially in their Tardis-like ability to generate so much internal space from what is a fairly compact size. Certainly worth a look, even in current form.)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/124095238/nextgen-honda-jazz-headed-to-new-zealand

Good point, you can check say the UK options here:

https://www.honda.co.uk/cars/new/jazz-hybrid/overview.html

Definitely like the hybrid approach, and not many of these are out in NZ yet.

Doesn't look to have the 360 camera option, but ticks the box for nearly everything else.

Thanks, will keep an eye on it.

Re budget, I see that's come up a few times.

Not really putting a strong focus on this, so that's not a factor unless it's getting right up there.

Would say up to $40k ideally, but the main focus is on getting the tech that will make driving very easy. That's probably most important.

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#2655121 12-Feb-2021 10:57

So, turns out the 360 camera is only available on the higher end Yaris Cross Limited and not the base GX model.

The GX interior looks like this:

BUTT, when you opt for the Limited, you get an electric drivers seat and the whole seat/interior door sections / some of the dash etc colour scheme goes to nasty '70s dark poo brown?!

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#2655127 12-Feb-2021 11:18

Yeah, I agree that brown interior is heinous, but perhaps it’s based on the demographic of those likely to purchase a Yarris? (Based on personal observation, older men in particular do seem to have a fondness for brown!)

It seems like dark brown vs black is a bit of a thing for car interiors - I saw this recently in a review of, I think it was, the CX30, but at least that’s a deeper brown compared to this Toyota abomination.

Edit - here’s the CX30’s interior - much nicer than the Yarris, and a car that may warrant a place on your shortlist?

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda/cx-30/2020/2020-mazda-cx30-interior-review/

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#2655134 12-Feb-2021 11:41

jonathan18:

Yeah, I agree that brown interior is heinous, but perhaps it’s based on the demographic of those likely to purchase a Yarris? (Based on personal observation, older men in particular do seem to have a fondness for brown!)

It seems like dark brown vs black is a bit of a thing for car interiors - I saw this recently in a review of, I think it was, the CX30, but at least that’s a deeper brown compared to this Toyota abomination.

Edit - here’s the CX30’s interior - much nicer than the Yarris, and a car that may warrant a place on your shortlist?

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda/cx-30/2020/2020-mazda-cx30-interior-review/

I notice Toyota hide it themselves, like it's not the large photo shown under the nice interior advertising section and their own photos are lower saturation in this area, compared to the real world even browner vibe.

I've reached out to them to see if there's any customisation options with them, but don't believe there is. Despite having a major Toyota base in Palmerston North, I get the feeling ANZ just selects the spec the want that's it. There are almost no options during the selection process, other than random crap like do you want a fire extinguisher added etc.

I'll go check out the CX30. Thanks.

Edit: Takami models feature the 360 camera, and start at $50k+

Certainly look very nice.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Scotdownunder

225 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 108

Subscriber

#2655157 12-Feb-2021 12:16

With all this tech you would think interchangeable stalks would be a simple option. Its a real pain when you have two cars and the indicators are on different sides. ☹️

Dingbatt

6804 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3694

Lifetime subscriber

#2655166 12-Feb-2021 12:34

I agree it is a curious colour selection for the Yaris Cross Limited Hybrid. But the 360 camera is only available in their range topping models across Toyota.

While I recognise we are a small market, Toyota is inflexible to the extent that when I discussed getting the silver alloy wheels that come with a lower specced model instead of the black on the “Limited” I was told it couldn’t be done. This despite the fact the vehicle would be ordered and hadn’t actually been built in Japan (about a six month wait).

Almost as frustrating as the insistence that all top model cars must have a sunroof. I don’t want a &#$* sunroof!

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Bung

6733 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2926

Subscriber

#2655167 12-Feb-2021 12:38

Neighbours have recently bought new car. He looked into all the high tech, she (a lot shorter) insisted on the one she felt most comfortable driving ie she could see what was close. She'd been parking for 60 years without 360.

Senecio

2856 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3166

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2655168 12-Feb-2021 12:38

My wife and I used to own a Japanese and a European car. It really isn't as much of an issue and you may think. After a few drives you just naturally know which car you are in and adapt accordingly to which side the indicator is on. But I understand its not ideal for older people that have never driven a European car before.

I reckon the CX30 would be a good car to look at. A grown up Mazda 2 but much newer so should have quite a bit more passive safety tech.

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#2655173 12-Feb-2021 13:04

The other restriction on car choice is that relatively short c. 4m in length you’re aiming for - that’s pretty much the supermini size, and does exclude the CX-3 let alone the CX-30. Here’s the length of a few of the cars in and over that size category. Looking at this it reinforces what a great job Honda has done to get so much interior and boot space in the Jazz when the newest version is still 230mm shorter than a CX-3!

Swift 3840

Yarris 3940

Jazz (new) 4044

Fiesta 4378

i20 4040

Polo 4053

2 4070

CX-3 4275

i30 4340

Corolla 4370

Focus 4378

CX-30 4395

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#2655187 12-Feb-2021 13:48

jonathan18:

The other restriction on car choice is that relatively short c. 4m in length you’re aiming for - that’s pretty much the supermini size, and does exclude the CX-3 let alone the CX-30. Here’s the length of a few of the cars in and over that size category. Looking at this it reinforces what a great job Honda has done to get so much interior and boot space in the Jazz when the newest version is still 230mm shorter than a CX-3!

Swift 3840 Yarris 3940 Jazz (new) 4044 Fiesta 4378 i20 4040 Polo 4053 2 4070 CX-3 4275 i30 4340 Corolla 4370 Focus 4378 CX-30 4395

Yeah that's almost exactly my spreadsheet list too.

The change here is moving into a retirement village with redickulously narrow garage entrances, with narrow streets leading up to them and not a lot of room for turning bays etc.

I get the comment about having driven 60 years without a 360 camera, but I'm all for anything that helps and is safer. Others requirements and values are different and I respect that.
Pretty clear on what would make a genuine real world difference in our case though.

Their current Ractis is essentially 4.0m exactly and 1.7m wide. It's a Japanese mini cargo van concept, so it was good point raised earlier that this is quite an upright seating position.
I hadn't thought of that, so this has lead me to consider higher vehicles than I started out looking at.
Beering in mind others thoughts on this, looking at the smaller cars (Swift/Yaris etc) they're all quite low to get in and out of now that I step back to consider that aspect.

They've had longer before, so that's not too much of an issue. Previous Mazda Premacy for example was 4.3m long.
Yaris Hybrid comes in at 4.180m long, so not too much different, and the Yaris Hatchback is actually less than the ractis at 3.94m

Suzuki swift is mini material at 3.845m long and narrow as well.

I get access to the place next week, so will give the garage parking a go and see what's what then.

Thanks for all the comments and experiences, they all help.

Jaxson

8172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1332

Trusted

#2655199 12-Feb-2021 14:32

Found their inspiration back in time...

alasta

6891 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3365

Trusted

Subscriber

#2655346 12-Feb-2021 16:43

Many years ago my friend had a late 1990s Corolla and it had a distinctive smell which was identical to the smell that I remember from 1970s Corollas that I rode in as a kid.

With Toyota nothing really seems to change!

PolicyGuy

1821 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1771

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2655358 12-Feb-2021 17:18

Jaxson:

Their current Ractis is essentially 4.0m exactly and 1.7m wide.
It's a Japanese mini cargo van concept, so it was good point raised earlier that this is quite an upright seating position.
I hadn't thought of that, so this has lead me to consider higher vehicles than I started out looking at.

Beering in mind others thoughts on this, looking at the smaller cars (Swift/Yaris etc) they're all quite low to get in and out of now that I step back to consider that aspect.

This

I'm in my late sixties and find my son's Swift not as easy to get out of as my own [2006, old body shape] Demio wagon. I did consider replacing my Demio with a Ractis or a Sienta, then decided I'd keep it until it dies and probably buy a BEV to replace it.
My other son's SUV is so high off the ground that I nearly need a step to climb up, and worry about whether I need a parachute to jump out*

Most people's bodies just don't work as well as they used to when they get to 'granddad' age :(

* very small amount of exaggeration

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5