My daughter drives herself to school now. I have to ride along since she only has a learner’s permit, and it’s still terrifying to be her passenger, even though she really is a pretty good driver.
To distract myself so I won’t annoy her by working an imaginary brake pedal or involuntarily shrieking in alarm, I look out the window. That’s how I saw this lovely wood stork plus a gorgeous roseate spoonbill:
I wish you could see the spoonbill better; it’s foraging on the shoreline just behind the stork. Sometimes when I’m walking the dogs in the morning, I see spoonbills flying overhead, but I never get a good picture because I’m being dragged down the road by the boxers.
Y’all were recently subjected to Cole’s car search. I’m also in the process of searching for a used car to replace my crappy 2001 Beetle. I’m going to have to get a larger car so I can haul the old ladies in my life around in greater comfort (grandmothers, mother-in-law, etc.).
My granny hates to ride in the Beetle (“It’s like sitting in a bucket!”), and my other grandmother won’t even attempt to get in it anymore. Our other vehicle is a large pickup (necessary to haul boats and what-not), and they can’t climb into that at all.
I’m thinking about a used Volvo sedan or wagon. I had one years ago, and it was extremely reliable and comfortable. I like Subarus too, but they seem less old lady-friendly and are wicked expensive, even with high mileage. Any suggestions?
mack
I might just need more coffee, but is this car for you or your daughter? I’ll chime back in a bit later.
Howard Beale IV
Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego.
Alexandra
Didn’t know the modern Beetles were horrible.
Have always liked the look of them when I see them here in London and used to own a late 60s one a long time ago that rusted like crazy and had trouble starting now and then. Bit of a soft spot for them.
Ben Cisco
I’ve had tremendous luck with Honda Accords – the first one I bought was a ’92 that is still running (sold to a former co-worker of mine). Second one was a beater that I only had (and only needed for) six months, it had a new engine put in it when I traded it for #3 (’01), which was still in fine shape when I traded it for my Pilot a year ago.
c u n d gulag
The best car I ever had, was a 2004 Saturn Vue SUV with AWD – the 4 cylinder model, NOT the 6. The 6 had electrical problems.
It got terrific gas mileage, the car had zero problems – until last year, when, after over 160,000 miles, the tranny needed repair, which I couldn’t afford.
My friend called dibs on it for his 15 year-old daughter, because he knows how safe the car was, and how well I took care of it. And he’ll repair the tranny in the next year, in time for his daughter to get her Learners Permit.
Even though they don’t make Saturn’s anymore (STUPID DECISION!), I highly recommend the Vue.
It sits 5 very comfortably, and is a very safe car.
GM made Saturn’s, so there shouldn’t be any problem getting parts in the future.
Hen
Volvo seems righty-right for the olds and the daughter. Comfortable seating in a large armored golf-cart. Especially the stationwagon…especially the burgundy ones…
evolved beyond the fist mistermix
@Howard Beale IV: Or Ford Crown Vic/Mercury Grand Marquis. Why not go full-on old lady ride? My Mom (77) has been driving a series of them over the years and loves them.
Edited to add: Or Buick Park Ave. The 6 cylinder version (my Mother-in-Law’s ride) is surprisingly good on the gas.
All American luxury cars lose tons of value after you drive them off the lot. A 2005 Buick Park Ave with 100K miles is $5,500 Blue Book.
Betty Cracker
@mack: The car is for me. My daughter is getting her own car when she turns 16 — a family hand-me-down.
@Alexandra: They aren’t! My Beetle has been a great car; I call it crappy because I’ve run the hell out of it. It’s going to need a new clutch soon, and the A/C is kaput (deal breaker here in FL). I’ll remember it fondly, but it’s time to move on.
Botsplainer
There are a shitload of well-serviced, high mileage early double naught Honda Odyssey minivans floating about for cheap these days.
Lee
Try a used minivan. I carry around my parents and in-laws (all in their mid 80’s) pretty well in it.
The sliding doors on the sides makes it easy for them to slide in and out. Lots of room.
Betty Cracker
@evolved beyond the fist mistermix: I’m cool with a full-on old lady ride, and the great thing is that there are many of them floating around down here for cheap — with low mileage — thanks to the large retiree population. My only concern on that score is gas mileage, from a concerned-about-the-environment perspective rather than cost. But I don’t have a daily commute, etc. It’s a consideration.
Roger Moore
Maybe you should see if there’s a van of some type that would meet your towing needs. That would give you a spacious passenger vehicle and something capable of towing.
evolved beyond the fist mistermix
@Betty Cracker: Unfortunately, these big old American cars do great on the highway, not so great in the city. Example: Gas mileage on a 2005 Park Ave is 18 city / 27 highway. 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan is 17/23.
MomSense
If you want an old-lady friendly car, the Subaru Forrester is great. It is a little higher and easier to get into. I’m sure other smallish SUVs would work too.
jon
I second (edit: fourth or fifth) the minivan suggestion. Windstar or Odyssey I have good experience with, but hear good things about the Mazdas and Toyotas. Hard to find one that doesn’t have melted crayons in the back. But they can transport the older folks as long as you get a step installed or just get the Tupperware stepstool and help out.
And if 16mpg is too low, you’ll have to buy a newer one.
My mom, 75, loves her Outback. She had a little car, but pre and post knee replacement likes not to be close to the ground.
jaqen h'ghar
01010100011010000110100101110011001000000110100101110011001000000110101001110101011100110111010000100000011000100110100101101110011000010111001001111001001000000111010001100101011110000111010000101110
Wag
The VW Passat is a great car. A step up from the beetle in terms of space and finish, but fun to drive and decent milage for a sedan.
Flatlander
You might want to think about something where the sitting height is as close to the standing height as possible. The olds shouldn’t have to haul themselves up out of a seat, nor climb up onto it. So not low like a sports car, and not high like a big SUV. Try a Mazda 5. It’s a minivan you can still park in a normal space.
dnfree
I got a new Ford C-Max hybrid last year and I really like it. I’m getting around 40 mpg (it was lower in the cold of winter in northern Illinois, but still that’s my average so far). It’s comfortable for my (elderly) parents to get in and out of. It seats four very comfortably and has a lot of headroom,particularly in the front seat, if you have anyone tall to consider. The rear area is adequate for groceries and you can easily fold the back row of seats down for a little more room.
MattF
A little something you probably shouldn’t read if you’re air-travel phobic (via MeFi):
https://medium.com/medium-long/c2f8d68a917c
Jennifer
Betty, I’m currently driving a 16-1/2 year old Ford Mustang. Because it continues to be a great car, even after over 16 years and 225,000 miles. I’ve just in the past year had to start replacing original equipment (a/c, radiator hoses, starter motor. The original serpentine belt lasted 15 years; the original battery lasted for 7. Gas mileage isn’t too bad either.) I wouldn’t recommend a Mustang for an old lady car – too hard to get in and out of – but I would recommend a Ford for being extremely well-built and reliable. Whenever I finally do get around to replacing the Mustang, I’ve got my eye on the Fusion, a nice mid-sized sedan which looks like it would be an ideal car for shuttling around old ladies (and getting to be old ladies such as myself). You could probably find one a few years old at a good price, and the gas mileage on them isn’t bad, either.
Mary G
As someone who has enough arthritis to be an honorary very, very old, I can testify how important a car you can get into is. You become Goldilocks. If the seat is too high it kills your feet trying to climb in and your crappy balancing abilities topple you off those miniscule ledges they use instead of nice wide running boards. Too low and your knees will scream bloody murder lifting your ass when you try to get out.
I have taken a measuring tape with me the last two times I bought a car to make absolutely sure that the driver’s seat can be adjusted to 26 inches. I ended up wirh a VW Passat and a Subaru Forester, because I had a windfall class action settlement from my former employer, but they are both pricy.
Just One More Canuck
I used to drive a Volvo (S40) – had to replace the brakes (both front and rear) way more frequently than any other car I’ve ever had. It was nice to drive but expensive to maintain
mai naem
A Buick LeSabre or Park Avenue. It’s got good space in the back and it’s high/low enough getting in and out. Minivans are nice but getting in and out may not be easy for an older person.
fourlegsgood
I just bought a Ford Escape (after 30 years of owning Hondas and Acuras) 2 months ago – so far I love it. I think it would be great for hauling around old ladies, it’s comfortable and gets good gas mileage (for a smaller SUV).
Betty Cracker
@Roger Moore: I don’t need to tow with my car since we already have an F250 that could pull down the gates of hell. We have extraordinarily robust towing requirements.
@evolved beyond the fist mistermix: That’s better than I thought a boat like that would get. Most of my driving IS highway.
@Flatlander:
Exactly right. I hadn’t thought much about minivans, but I suppose I should at least look at a couple.
Botsplainer
@dnfree:
My 2014 Fusion hybrid is rocking on gas mileage. With my foot jammed down on it, I get 40. Watching speed and acceleration and accessories (and having a fair around of surface trip with some braking and stops), I can get 45-55, easy.
My best day was 71.
PaulW
If you’re looking for a bigger-sized car to lug people around, the small SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (not the Outlander itself) is a good-sized and nice ride to get. My mom loves her Sport. I think the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tuscon are also that size, as is the Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape. You’ll need to shop about and see what deals you can get. Anything used between 2010-now should have better gas mileage than anything before 2009…
Tommy
I drive a 2001 VW Passat. 6-cylinder. Manual. Had to order it from Germany to get manual. Has under 30,000 miles on it (always lived near great public transit and I use it). Like new.
I love it. Love it. Only change is, and I am a single guy with no children, I would have gotten the wagon cause I am an avid hiker, camper, mountain biker.
Look there are many cars that fit your needs. IMHO you get a VW. Treat it well, it will provide for you.
Tommy
@Wag: My 2001 6-cylinder, 4 door Passat gets 28 MPG on the highway and I think 21 in town. Did I say it was 2001?
schrodinger's cat
Prius or a Toyota Camry/
FlyingToaster
@jon: I’ll ditto this; I have a (bought new, now 7 years old) Toyota Sienna; I can haul my mom and her luggage-o-doom, and my (once baby, now kindergartner) daughter and her
crapschool/sports/violin stuff, and my daughter’s friends and theircrapschool/sports/violin stuff.I once fit a cello (in hardcase), an urban assault stroller, 5 adults and a baby-in-carseat into that thing. And mine has the luggage rack on top with a bicycle mount as well. So long as I stay off of Storrow Drive we’re all okay.
My husband’s 17 year old Benz has a higher blue book than my minivan. And it’s falling to bits.
To get the smashed gummy bears out, take it to a Toyota dealership for a detailing. I just had mine done and they retrieved several pairs of my daughter’s missing sunglasses and still got the carpets cleaned!
Gin & Tonic
@Botsplainer: I’m seriously thinking of getting one, but my impression is that for long non-stop highway miles the hybridness isn’t as big of an advantage. Am I wrong?
Soonergrunt
Late model Ford Fusion if you’re looking for a sedan. I have a 2012 Fusion and I love it. It’s what I bought after I got t-boned by an F-250 about 18 months ago.
A decent mini-van has some potential for your needs as well, and should be easier on older people since there’s generally less bending and stooping to get in and out, and the seats sit up straighter.
Howard Beale IV
@Betty Cracker: Ford Five Hundreds with the AWD/CVT trannsmission pair can get 30 MPH highway-not bad for a land yacht.
And surprisingly, Gen II Prius’s Have lots of room.
Ed
Volvos are super nice cars ( and safe ) but they are a fortune to get fixed. We have had great experience with Hondas. Our 2003 Odyssey hit 170K recently and had it’s first major repair after 11.5 years. I think the reviews ( including repair history ) on Edmunds.com are really on point.
Tommy
My parents had a Chrysler Pacific. Stopped making it a few years ago. Like you merge a SUV and a mini-van. It was a really, really nice car. Large. OK MPG. When I tried to merge into traffic on a highway I felt I had the HP to get into the lanes. I didn’t like the windows, slopped in a way that I felt made it hard to park or in a parking lot backing up to parallel park. But other then that my parents, who are retired and drive around the US for fun, put 250,000 miles on it. Pretty low maintenance costs, outside of issues with the oil pan. If I could find one on a dealer lot, low mileage, some warranty, and I needed to cart around a few little guys/gals, it would be in my top five of cars.
opium4themasses
Delurking to suggest a KIA Soul or other similarly situated vehicle for the olds. The seat is very close to upright and it is just tall enough to be sat in easily from a seated position. I bought one brand new and find it to be one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven.
Also, my father has been in and out of the hospital for foot surgery and has no problem getting into and out of my Soulunless I get too close to the curb. Similarly shaped vehicles like some of the Scions or…. that other one with the offkilter window might be the same, but I have no experience with those.
opium4themasses
Delurking to suggest a KIA Soul or other similarly situated vehicle for the olds. The seat is very close to upright and it is just tall enough to be sat in easily from a seated position. I bought one brand new and find it to be one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven.
Also, my father has been in and out of the hospital for foot surgery and has no problem getting into and out of my Soulunless I get too close to the curb. Similarly shaped vehicles like some of the Scions or…. that other one with the offkilter window might be the same, but I have no experience with those.
aimai
@Ben Cisco: I’ve only had two cars–a Honda Accord and a Honda Civic (I think thats what its called. I’m not a car person). Its the SUV, anyway, and its now about 13 years old. No problems. I like it a lot. I’m planning on hanging on to it for the foreseeable future until it just dies on me. The newer ones got bigger and I don’t see any reason for that.
hoodie
Toyota RAV4 or Honda CRV if you want smaller, more efficient, Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot if you need more room. Easier to get in and out of than a sedan unless you go with a cruiser like a Buick or Crown Vic, and more space to carry stuff. Easier to drive around town than a minivan. Recent Volvos are not like the tanks they used to make. Subarus are ok, but the older ones are not very efficient and you really don’t need the all wheel drive.
Botsplainer
@Gin & Tonic:
You’re not wrong. At highway speed, if I keep it just under 65, best I seem to pull is 42-45. The batteries need braking for maximized efficiency, and that requires moderate traffic and traffic control devices.
My driving is a mix, so it works. When we downsize and move into the heart of the city, it’ll be perfect.
Schlemizel
In your neck of the woods I’d be looking for a large sedan that was being unloaded for a retiree that was giving up driving. Find an older Buick or Caddy with low mileage that had not been run through too many farmers markets or Publix store fronts. say a 1994 with 30,000 miles on it. A lot of life left but a low price.
Lee
@Betty Cracker:
Take a look at the Toyota Sienna. The latest versions (2005 or 6-present) are pretty feature rich for Toyotas. The MPG is not great (18/25) but if you are not doing much driving then it does not matter that much.
I’ve got a 2004 Nissan Quest and love it. If I had waited a year I would have gotten the Toyota for one simple reason. The windows on the sliding doors roll down! (yeah go figure it took so long for that feature to get added).
ranchandsyrup
Got a Volvo s80 last year and love it. Very reliable and the most comfortable seat I’ve ever experienced.
Tractarian
It’s terrifying to be her passenger, and your response is to stare out the window?
Did you ever think that she might more confident if she knew someone was paying attention and could warn and advise her if something unexpected happens?
dnfree
@Botsplainer: I like the display information on the C-Max–shows current MPG, whether you’re using the battery or the gas engine, etc. At the end of every trip it shows my MPG and gas used for that trip and lifetime.
Do you have the “brake coach”? It shows how efficiently I am braking so as to store energy in the battery. It has improved my braking smoothness.
I like getting about the same MPG whether in town or taking a trip in to the suburbs to see the grandkids.
Casey
I think the Pacifica shares most of the same stuff as a Mercedes R-class. Discontinued now, but earlier ones can be affordable.
Tommy
Oh happy story. My mom on my first date with my father:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/webranding/5357113885/
In a ’55 Ford Thunderbird.
Later, almost 40 years later he tracked down that Thunderbird, in TX, bought it back to IL and gave it to her. My mom tools around in it daily.
Happy, happy, joy, joy …
Davis X. Machina
@opium4themasses:Another vote for the Kia Soul, vel sim. I have the similar Scion xB — the boxy one — it is the bastard offspring of the mating of a Toyota Corolla and a cargo container. It’s about as aerodynamic as the latter, too.
Better mileage than you’d expect from a box. Very easy to get in and out of – I do it all winter with a hat on, and I’m 6′ 4″, and my mom and dad are in their 80’s, canes, walker… and it works for them.
Noisy — wind noise, and tire noise, and not a lot of fibreglass insulation.
elmo
Let me add my voice to those suggesting a minivan. My own experience was with a Toyota Sienna, but the Honda Odyssey or the Nissan Quest would do as well. My wife has arthritis and balance issues, so ease of entry and exit was a paramount consideration. She slid in and out of that car like a chair at home, only easier. Also you can take out one or both of the middle seats to make room for wheelchairs and whatnot. (We ended up just tossing both middle seats, because we wanted room for large animals and we never carry human passengers. I transported every kind of critter in that van, including goats and a baby cow.)
Never gave a hint of trouble until the combined impact of the goats dancing on the roof for several months bent the sunroof housing, so the sunroof quit working. But that wasn’t the car’s fault.
low-tech cyclist
Another recommendation here for Honda Accords. My wife and I have owned only three of them, because if you get them their regular maintenance, they last for freakin’ ever.
#1: A 1986 Accord that we bought in the fall of 1990 with ~58K miles on it. Finally junked it in 2004 with 254K miles on it.
#2: A 2000 Accord that we bought new (in January 2000, natch). God, I love this car so much. It’s got 217K miles on it, and still feels solid and reliable, feels like it could make it to 300K. I don’t have a history of getting attached to cars, but when this one finally dies, I will weep.
#3: A 2009 Accord that we bought new in May 2009. My wife drives this car, so I only glance at the odometer intermittently; I’m guessing that it has about 70K miles on it. Just getting warmed up and broken in, in other words.
That’s 540K miles on just three cars – and two of them are still going strong, and probably have another >250K miles still in them.
That’s why I love Accords.
Betty Cracker
@Tractarian: I’m a neurotic worrywort, and that’s why it’s terrifying to be her passenger — it’s not her; it’s me. Like I said, she’s a pretty good driver.
I don’t look out the window all the time; it’s a technique I use so I’ll shut up and let the poor kid drive without being distracted by my fretting.
Does this make it 100% clear that I’m not blindly allowing an under-confident, inexperienced teen to careen around town endangering the lives of innocent bystanders, including endangered waterfowl? Gosh, I sure hope so!
Sir Laffs-a-Lot
Don’t buy a used Volvo, Subaru etc with high miles if you plan on putting a LOT more miles on it; that’s a very expensive proposition. Also, the more recent the design, the safer the car will be regardless who made it. For example, my 2010 Chevy has side air bags plus other GM developed safety technology; which was the main reason (besides price) I went with it as I mislike GM intensely. So invest some time online investigating the costs and repair history of whichever model you prefer before you buy. I had 4 Subarus; but had to end that marriage after one Subaru went thru 3 transmissions in 5 years. Always, buyer beware.
Gin & Tonic
@Davis X. Machina: I think there’s an interesting marketing story where the Scion xBwas somehow originally intended for da youf, but then the olds saw the design was ideal for them and started buying them, poisoning the car for youfs. I wonder if Toyota makes more or less on them selling to olds, as compared to how they set out.
No source, but I read it somewhere on the Internet in the past, so it has to be true.
Ash Can
I’m driving a Honda Fit these days and just loving it to pieces. It sits slightly higher than my old Civic hatchback so it’s easier for my elderly mom to get into and out of. It has loads of interior space and hauls people and stuff like nobody’s business. It gets good gas mileage, and the old Honda is still running for us after 15 years so we expect the new one to be similarly reliable. Plus it’s not an expensive car — especially if you can get a one- or two-year-old used model, you’ll get a good deal.
@Tommy: What a great story!
Roger Moore
It probably ought to go without saying, but if one of the goals of the new car is to be able to haul grandma around, it would be a good idea to take grandma car shopping with you so you can see what works for her. You don’t necessarily have to take her with you to look at every car you’re looking at, but it might be a good idea to go to a used car place and have her get into a few cars to see what she likes. Even if you don’t buy from them, it would give you a good idea of what seat height is ideal for grandma.
catclub
“but had to end that marriage after one Subaru went thru 3 transmissions in 5 years”
Mine was just an intense six months. (1)Original fails at ~180k miles, (2)replace with ‘remanufactured’, off-brand company. It fails immediately, (3) Go to dealer, get Subaru remanufactured tranny. They made a mistake with speedometer, so they will replace (4) they installed a new rather than remanufactured tranny ( and did not stick me for the extra cost. huzzah!).
It worked great until we got rid of the car at 309k
Violet
Hi, Betty. I’m in caregiver mode for my dad and now my mother who fell. Long story. I’ve been driving my dad’s car to take them around. It’s an older model Lexus sedan. Sorry don’t know what year. Let me tell you, the car drives like a dream. The bench seats are easy for my dad with crutches or my mom with a broken arm and bruised leg to get in and out of and the suspension is really smooth. Even the back seat is comfortable, and so long as the front seat isn’t pushed back all the way it’s plenty roomy in the back seat. I love driving it. And it works great for the exact needs you are mentioning.
No idea of price or anything because it’s my dad’s car. I think it’s probably a 2001 or so–he’s had it forever. And no idea of newer models and how well they hold up. They’re supposed to be good cars and that’s why he bought it when he did. But for driving older and injured people around it’s ideal. Wanted to chip in with that very recent experience. Best of luck!
rikyrah
Posted: 10:45 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2014
Woman with massive tumor says hospitals turned her away over lack of insurance
A Newton County woman told Channel 2 Action News that four hospitals turned her away before one agreed to remove a painful, massive non-cancerous tumor.
Doris Lewis, 59, said she had been trying to get insurance since her husband died a few years ago.
There was no sense of urgency, but then a huge tumor started growing inside her and she realized not having insurance presented a huge problem.
“It’s getting bigger every day,” Lewis said. “I can feel it on my body. My heart hurts a little bit.”
The tumor has been inside Lewis for two months and has reached the size of a beach ball.
“I didn’t know it was a tumor in there. I thought I was just gaining weight at first,” Lewis said.
Lewis told Jones that doctors are amazed when they see her.
“Some of the guys looked at me and said, ‘You got a tumor in there. That is so big. ‘Bout to pop,’” Lewis said.
She said a doctor told her the tumor is benign and it is wrapped around her ovaries.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/woman-massive-tumor-says-hospitals-turned-her-away/nfxrD/
StringOnAStick
Just another person warning about the cost of repairing Volvo’s; stunningly expensive. Great cars, super safe in a crash, but wow do they cost $ to maintain. Anything new enough to have front and side airbags is pretty safe these days though.
Lymie
Strongly recommend a Honda CRV – easy in and out with out bending or heaving, reliable, decent gas mileage, decent room front/back/storage. We had an Odyssy – oh my, my husband dinged it 3 times at $2000 a pop because it is so huge, and more space than you need most of the time.
My dad had a Volvo – the newer ones are soooo expensive to fix it is not funny.
boatboy_srq
@Betty Cracker: Definitely understand the vehicle-age/dead-AC thing.
STEP ONE (especially in FL): talk to your insurance agent. Premiums are ghastly down there, and may be more than the car payment. Rates can be surprising: my (then) two-year-old Audi was cheaper to insure by half than Mum’s five-year-old Hyundai. If you get your insurer on board sooner rather than later you’ll save yourself some nasty surprises.
As for makes, Volvo, Honda, Audi, Mercury, Buick (yeah, I know) and MINI are all good choices: interior space is decent or better, reliability seems good and pricing can be surprising. The Chrysler Pacifica seems a good choice too: comfy and fairly practical, without the SUV ride. Shop around, though: SoFL was a lot cheaper for me than SWFL, and there are some surprising deals out there. If you can afford CPO, do it: the extended warranty and support can be a lifesaver. YMMtrulyV.
burnspbesq
If you were happy with your VW, get another one. If comfort for oldsters is a major concern, get a Passat. If it’s for you, get a Jetta diesel wagon (excellent dog transporter).
gratuitous
@Flatlander: I’ll second the Mazda 5 suggestion here. Get a 2010 model or newer, though (there was no 2011 model, so don’t let that freak you out). Handles nicely, lots of room, easy to get in and out of.
lurker dean
the #americanspring rally is going well.
http://tinyurl.com/mtd74k3 (twitter link with pic)
prepare for your new overlords, lol.
catclub
@lurker dean: I suspect that not having Fox news personalities pushing it made a difference.
lurker dean
@catclub: i suspect it was the obama weather machine that caused the low turnout. can’t have a revolution in the rain, lol.
? Martin
Honda Element. They’re only used now. Easy to get in and out of. AWD is nice when it rains. Decent little hauler. Gets 20s MPG, and it’s a Honda.
raven
This is a Roseate Spoonbill I caught at sunrise last week. it was really pink but the light was too low to see it very well.
Betty Cracker
@raven: Beautiful. I wish I had your photography skills. Your photos are always worth a click-thru.
raven
@Betty Cracker: Aw. This was in better light but pretty far off. I thought it was a flamingo.
Betty Cracker
@raven: Gorgeous. We saw a flamingo awhile back on a spoil island in Tampa Bay. We thought surely it was a spoonbill at first because we’d never seen a flamingo that far north, but when we got closer, we saw it was a flamingo for sure. Maybe it escaped from Busch Gardens or something.
Quaker in a Basement
I got a suggestion: bus pass.
Chris Brown
I think VW tends to make cars with really “tight” suspension, which means you feel every little crack in the road as you drive. We test drove a Beetle back in 2002 before I bought a Toyota Echo. More recently, my wife bought a Nissan Versa, which has reasonably good gas mileage, four doors (+ hatchback), and a ride I find pretty smooth. They are relatively low-priced compared to similar cars on the market. I recommend the Versa.
gogol's wife
@raven:
Thanks to you and Betty for the roseate spoonbills. I had a picture book of birds when I was a child, and fell in love with the roseate spoonbill (partly because of its name). It was my life’s dream to see one some day. But I never have (have not set foot in Florida and probably never will).
Betty Cracker
@gogol’s wife: The birds make the insanity bearable!
raven
@gogol’s wife: Mine was actually on Jekyll Island, Georgia but it’s just a hop-skip and a jump from Florida. . . as the spoonbill fly’s!
Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason
I’m done with the Germans. Seems like the Jetta and Audi are in the shop a lot, and they’re still just over 100,000 miles.
Next one for me is another Mazda or maybe a little Ford.
J R in WV
We just traded a 2006 VW Jetta for a VW Tiguan, their smaller SUV crossover. It has all-wheel-drive and a higher center for visiting neighbors out in the country. We noticed that instead of lowering yourself into a compact car, or climbing up into the F-250, you just sit down on the chair. Wonderful!
We have a sports sedan that’s fun to drive, but so low it’s hard to get in and out. We have an F-250 to tow a tractor/backhoe – it has stout running boards that are required to get up into it.
Neither is really good for someone getting up there in years AND having had some injuries over the years making some movements more difficult. The Tiguan is the perfect height to just sit down in. Mileage isn’t great, nor is it terrible, in the 20s here in the hilly mountain state, with lots of slow down for the curve, speed up for the short straightaway, slow back down for the curve, then climb the hill.
Love VWs, reliable, well built, the Tiguan is assembled in Germany (maybe Portugal too?) rather than Chattanooga, TN, but that’s not a bad thing. This is (I think) our 6th or 7th VW, we’ve been buying them since 1978 when we bought our first diesel Rabbit.
We prefer the European feel to the Japanese feel. Volvos are quite expensive to buy and to maintain; safe, comfortable, all that, but at a price.
Omnes Omnibus
Consider a Saab. The 9-3 doesn’t have huge amount of rear legroom, so a 9-5 may be better. You should be able to get one fairly cheap. In my experience, the individual cars are either trouble prone or bullet-proof. If you check the maintenance records of the cars and see that it hasn’t required anything but routine maintenance, it should be a keeper.
kindness
Toyota Camry. I have 400,000 miles on my 2001 Solara (the two door version) and expect another 100,000 before I get rid of it. Get the 6 cylinder one. In the back of my mind I have been looking at the Outback 3.6 the Lexus Rx-350. Both those are gonna be a pretty penny more than the Camry though.
Ruckus
@boatboy_srq:
You recommended a Mini? To haul people in? Old people? Seriously? Not a bad car mind you but the seats are not nearly high enough off the ground. Or did you mean mini van?
Honda Element. Loved mine but some struggled getting settled into the back seats.
Some of the small square boxes, Scion Xb, Kia Soul, etc have room, reasonable gas mileage and are easy to get into. I’m not up on the build quality/reliability.
Mini vans with double sliding doors, what could be easier to get into? But they are big boxes and if you don’t need the room….
Gretchen
We’ve had something like 10 Volvos. Our strategy was to buy an old Volvo, keep it maintained, and drive it for 200-300,000 miles. That strategy isn’t working for us any more. I have a 1999 Volvo V70 Cross-Country, and it’s fabulous in snow (which doesn’t help you at all), but every time something goes wrong with it, it’s wildly expensive. It’s all computerized, and replacing anything costs a fortune. I took it in for an oil change the other day, and they said the oil pan had something wrong with it, and it was $630 to fix. Some parts fell off it last winter, and it turned out to be the catalytic converter. $2000. I’m saving up for a Subaru. It’s been a good run, and I loved my Volvos, but I’m done with them.
raven
@Ruckus: I’m on my second Dodge Caravan and, with the dogs, it’s great. The stow and go seats are a must.
Betty Cracker
@Gretchen: Glad you piped up — that is a consideration for sure. I was basing my experience on a 1981 Volvo that I acquired in the early 90s and gave to my mom in the mid-90s. Together, we ran that thing over 500K. It rarely broke down, but when it did, it was absurdly expensive to repair. Still, it balanced out by not breaking down a lot. If they no longer do, it’s not the car for me.
cdw
Speaking as an old lady, you should forget the van idea – too hard to get in and out of. I’ve had good luck with hondas and have a 2005 civic now. It will be my last car ever, so hope it lasts another 10 years and hope I can keep driving another 10 years.
SectionH
I’ll add another rec. for the Mazda 5. It’s a nice combo of haul-ability and decent handling. My elderly aunt, afflicted with Parkinson’s, was able to get in and out of a 5 as or more easily than any of the other vehicles I had at one time or another during the last 5 years of her life (a considerable number, because I’ve rented cars for the past 6 years), and certainly more easily than her own Buick LeSabre. The Passat I drove handled well, but it was far from easy to get out of for me, much less her. (Sits low, and there’s quite a big lip to clear getting out.)
In the past, Mr S and I owned minivans (a Plymouth Voyager which was still running when we gave it away at 455,000 miles, and a Caravan we had hauled away at 250,000). Both were good for what we were doing then (we drove 50-60,000 miles a year then). I took a Caravan San Diego to San Antonio and back last year, and liked it very much, but a full sized minivan is overkill for us now as a regular ride.
ETA, not to mention the Mazda 5 is pretty affordable, hugely so compared to a Caravan or similar vehicle.
Jay S
My wife drives older patients to appointments in our old 2000 Ford Focus wagon. She regularly gets comments on how easy it is to get in and our of.
Trollhattan
Late to the dance but I think a Volvo V70 is an ideal combination of roominess without great bulk, driving enjoyment and ruggedness. If your kid is going to share driving time, it’s a robust coccoon in which to wrap her–the Swedish committment to safety is no myth.
You don’t need AWD, living as you do on a swampy billiard table, but I’d avoid black and make sure the A/C is up to your endless, humid summers.
WOOF
Pontiac Vibe or its twin Toyota Matrix
Trollhattan
@Ruckus:
The Mini Countryman looks pretty cool, and perhaps right for this mission, but I’ve never been in one.
Trollhattan
@Betty Cracker:
“They don’t build them like they used to” applies to precisely 100% of cars sold now. I know plenty of happy folks with high-mileage Volvos of newer vintage, so wouldn’t necessarily be scared off by anecdotal stories of dealership terror. Literally every motorcoach sold today suffers from the twin threats of high parts prices and $130/hour shop rates. Cars are, for the most part, no longer user-maintainable beyond the bone-simple things.
Funny enough, the spousal unit is at present dealing with a smashed car, as some “old, really old” woman backed into it whilst “parking” her Ford Explorer, about an hour ago. She wasn’t inside at the time, thankfully.
So we might be in the market, too. Scheiss.
Ruckus
@Trollhattan:
Haven’t been in a clubman but I have ridden in a regular mini. Nice car for a driver but I would never consider attempting to have one that older folks with arthritis, bad knees, bad hips, canes, wheelchairs, etc had to get in and out of. And the back seat? That wasn’t roomy enough for a small child let alone a full size adult.
boatboy_srq
@Ruckus: MINIs are remarkably comfortable and spacious inside: they’re low, but they’re comfy. And they’re surprisingly safe. I wouldn’t plan on carting the wheelchairs or Hoverounds about in one, but they’re good people movers.
Trollhattan
@Ruckus:
Yup, completely agree. Older folks don’t mix well with cars they have to climb back out of, and two-door models are right out if they need to be in the back seat.
OTOH they’re not wild about climbing up into big SUVs and trucks. I think that’s why Buicks are always about “waist level.”
Trollhattan
@boatboy_srq:
Yup, safe. Buddy’s boy smashed his Mini into an on-coming Accord (the infamous head-on offset crash) and he and his buddy walked away, while the Honda occupants both went to the hospital with broken bones. The Mini’s drivetrain detached and traveled 60 feet down the road (per the highway patrol).
Ruckus
@Trollhattan:
There are substantial differences between the parts pricing of different brands. Labor not so much. There are still some cars that tend to last longer and use less parts and gas getting there. Unfortunately there is no way to tell until you compare large groups that have been on the market for a while. I spent less on parts to replace all the brake components (other than ft calipers/pads) on my full sized van front and rear, than a friend spent on just rear discs for his VW new beetle.
LT
I am an excellent driver because I drive defensively. Wasn’t always that way, of course. But it has been for a long, long time now.
Maybe 15 years ago, I answered an want-ad for a driving school instructor. I ended up in a car with the owner and two teenage students.
There’s a line in the book The Hunt For Red October when the hero is asked how it felt landing on an aircraft carrier at night. He answered, “I think it would be a good way to interrogate prisoners”. That how I felt– like a trapped rat who was being tortured. It was a god awful 45 minutes, and when it was over, it was over forever. Never again.
Ruckus
@boatboy_srq:
See right there you said it. They are low. Makes them a great car to drive. Not a great car for geezers to get in and out of. I’m on the cusp of older and I like a mini but generally those just a few years older have a real hard time with cars built like a mini. I suspect that in a not too distant future I will be in the same condition.
As well, some older folks do better in the back seat, where their driving fear is less obnoxious to those trying to remain in control.
rikyrah
uh huh
uh huh
………………….
Ken Thomas @AP_Ken_Thomas 1h
H.Clinton: In the upcoming mid-term elections, there will be choices on which path to take. “I will leave that discussion to others.”
And this:
Byron York @ByronYork 33m
Hillary describes spreading economic hardship in Obama’s America. ‘Dream is further and further out of reach.’
Betty Cracker
@cdw: I wondered about that. Haven’t been in a minivan in ages, but I seem to remember having to step up and stoop over. One of my grandmas wouldn’t be able to, and the other could but would bitch about it for the entire trip.
Trollhattan
@Ruckus:
True, and in my experience it’s difficult, if not impossible to predict who’s “part X” is going to cost the most–I think there’s a price randomizer somewhere that every single bit has to go through before we’ll know how much it costs. Having had Japanese, ‘murkin’ German and Swedish vee-hikkles in the household over time, I’ve given up predicting. (For their ubiquity you’d think Japanese parts would be the cheapest, but I’ve been surprised in a bad way too many times.)
With super-common models, the aftermarket is really helpful in keeping costs down once you navigate past the substandard ones. And then there’s the pick-n-pulls, but internet sales have made those less of a goldmine.
Betty Cracker
@rikyrah: Byron York is a wingnut jackass and not a credible source. I’m no HRC fangirl, but I don’t believe for a second HRC attributed economic hardships to POTUS. If she said upward mobility is increasingly out of reach for middle class families, she’s taking up the president’s line on income inequality, and good for her because it’s true.
Mnemosyne
@rikyrah:
Like Betty said, given the source, I’m guessing that York is deliberately trying to claim that Hillary was somehow bashing Obama rather than following the Obama administration’s line that increasing inequality is a really big problem.
You’re going to see a lot of that in the next few years, especially from the right wing, which has a vested interest in trying to discourage non-white voters from voting for Hillary.
ETA: I, too, am not a Hillary fan and am hoping someone else moves to the forefront the way Obama did in 2008, but only an idiot would run away from Obama’s success, and for all her other faults, Hillary’s no idiot. She’s going to run as Obama Part II.
Jennifer
The horror of parts costs is one of the reasons I recommended a Ford.
Prior to buying the Mustang way back at the end of ’97, I had an ’88 Mazda 323. It was a good car, had 145,000 miles on it when I sold it, but I did a lot more repairs on that car and the parts were expensive compared to the Ford. For example, I went through 3 mufflers on the Mazda, both front U joints, and other stuff I don’t remember. The Mustang still has the original muffler on it. My conclusion is that the original Ford parts are better than original Mazda parts, and replacement parts for the Ford are definitely cheaper than they are on the Mazda. Though it’s true that with any of the new model cars, it’s gotten to where most people can’t do repairs themselves. At least on the Mustang, when I had to replace the AC, my brother-in-law was able to install it for me – parts were $225. The shop wanted $995 for that job, and had it been a foreign car, it would have been a lot more.
RaflW
My eight year old Volvo V70 wagon is pretty low-slung, though my 80 year old dad with a funky hip could get in/out of the front passenger seat OK.
If you can wait a bit for used inventory to even exist, the Subaru Crosstrek has a nice seat height, good driver visibility, and its a Subie. I just rented one for 5 days and want to replace my V70 now!!
Hey, Betty, if you want an eight year old V70 wagon, let me know!
Eric S.
@Flatlander: This. When my grandmother was still alive and living with Mom, Mom drove a Mazda small pickup. Grandma could easily get in and out without all the stooping. She had bad knees so it was a big consideration. The Mazda 5 is probably as good a suggestion as any. Maybe the Honda CRV. Mom is driving one of those now and loves it.
boatboy_srq
@Ruckus: … so, you’re pushing the Lincoln Town Car as the better choice because it’s higher and you can put a barrier between front and back? ,-)
IYDMMSS, you’re assuming that all old people will be TALL – and won’t be able to bend. Most of the oldfolks I’ve had the privilege of chauffeuring have been in the 4’10” – 5’4″ range – and low works for them pretty well. A lot will depend on how short/tall Betty’s olds turn out to be, and how flexible they are. I recommended the Mini because it’s a comfortable ride. And they do make 3- and 4- door models if the Cooper isn’t in the running.
MazeDancer
Volvo maintenance cost as mentioned by @Just One More Canuck is real.
Had a beautiful used Volvo. Luxury ride. Loved it. Did not love how much it cost to maintain.
Any Cadillac is going to ride like, well, a Cadillac. And there has to be a good resale market of those in Florida. Don’t know the maintenance costs on them. But they do ride like a dream.
Betty Cracker
@boatboy_srq: My olds range between 5-foot-1 and 5-foot-6. The 95-year-old has a hard time getting around at all, poor thing, but she can get in a big American land yacht, given enough time. The 70-something and two 80-somethings are still fairly spry birds. Three are clamoring for a Buick or Caddy. The other is all, “get what YOU want, dear.”
Ruckus
@boatboy_srq:
Dude, Lincon Town Car? How did you pull that out of your ass?
I get that you like the mini. Maybe you didn’t read the number of times that I wrote that I like the mini. I get that you are a rabid fan of the mini. Others don’t share your obsession. It’s a fucking car, there are others.
Reread the original post as to Betty’s desires and needs.
Betty Cracker
@MazeDancer: It’s awfully tempting. There’s a huge resell market here, and you can find cream puff Caddys, Buicks, etc., garage-kept, maintenance records galore, low-low miles for a song. I might go in that direction.
jomike
Another vote for the Mazda 5. Minivan-style sliding doors and comfy upright captain’s chairs, but in a smaller overall package — more nimble, better fuel economy — a mini-minivan, basically. Anvil-like reliability. Outstanding road trip vehicle.
Trollhattan
@Betty Cracker:
If you get a Buick, first thing you’ll need to do is go to the dealer and have the “left-turn-signal-always-on” program disabled. It’s not a user-controllable option.
The Fat Kate Middleton
From another arthritic old lady: Another vote for a mini-van – either the Odyssey or the Mazda 5. Rode from Iowa to Maine (with two small children) in an Odyssey, and it was the most comfortable ride I’d had in years. We’re also looking for a car now (to replace 2003 Honda Civic), and my top priority is comfort, followed by fuel economy.
Ruckus
@Trollhattan:
I wonder if dealers in FL know how to disable it.
dp
I had a Volvo S70 that was my favorite car ever, but after getting the Volvo longevity propaganda for years, I was pretty peeved when the engine shit the bed permanently at 140,000 miles right after I gave it to my son.
GHayduke (formerly lojasmo)
Volvo S60 or S80 fits the bill. I’d suggest a s60r
Tripod
Plain Jane Camry. They run forever.
Also, it won’t hurt as much when she takes the side mirror off on the garage door.
I’d stay away from VW unless it’s a TDI, and you are a tuner.
Tripod
Also current used Volvos = Ford built. My motor and power train have been rock solid, but based on a bunch of stupid ancillary problems (replacing ignition lock, the plastic snaps that hold the washer fluid lines breaking) I’d wave you off.
Major General Stanley
We bought a (used) Mazda5 microvan a few weeks ago and love it. Plenty of room, decent mileage (28 highway), drives like a much smaller car. Good reputation for reliability.
Matthew Williams
Wanted to sell my old SUV from college since my daughter refused to use it. My friend suggested Joliet-U-Pull-It and I was very satisfied! the process was easy and the workers were friendly. I’ll definitely be recommending them to anyone looking to sell an old car! Oh and they have a helpful website too! http://jolietupullit.com/