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Is the answer, Honda Jazz?
My mother has been driving round a huge Volvo Estate for about 20 years, it's close to end of life - and she is probably close to end of driving life anyway, but still wants wheels for local trips while she can. I wouldn't say she's the best driver but generally steady and no significant incidents in 60 years or so suggests she's not a major hazard yet though age is starting to take its toll. She's coped fine with the volvo but it's a bit of a liability in tight spaces and there's no need for such a large vehicle now it's 99% just her and perhaps some shopping.
I've suggested she looks for a Honda Jazz as a good starting point, but any other suggestions gratefully received. I'm not close enough to help on a regular basis but do go to see her occasionally. She has a reliable local garage that's helped for decades though. She does go 10-20 miles out of town sometimes so a mobility scooter isn't really the answer she's looking for.
New or used? Depending on funds and a switch to electric my old BMW i3s was a superb small car.
Or nissan Micra. Dad seems to like his.
Nissan Micra also quite a cheap to run and reliable alternative. My mother in laws Micra is quite old now but just keeps going with minimal cost to fix any little things that come up. Known a couple of people who have had one and been happy with them.
Jazz does seem popular with older drivers. That said, we have a citigo (same as VW up and seat mii) which the MiL borrowed. She then sold her Jazz and bought her own Citigo. It's got a surprisingly roomy cabin for a very compact exterior.
I wouldn’t go electric for an elderly person who is close to the end of their driving life. It would take a bit if getting used to & the novelty might be a bit confusing.
Is the answer, Honda Jazz?
Probably, yeah.
My 82 year old dad really likes his hybrid one.
Hyundai i10 or KIA Picanto are worth looking at too.
Long warranties and they've got plenty of space to get in and out of as well.
Jazz is the default old folks car. My FIL had a couple and really liked them, surprisingly roomy inside.
The jazz is a nice little car, as is the micra..
You'll never win a drag race in them and they are not as comfortable as a turbo couch like a five pot volvo.. but they do exactly what they say on the tin.
And they are cheap as chips to run.
Got a Nissan Note for my mother earlier this year - cracking little motor (1.6 petrol auto). On the plus side, it's about 8" shorter than her old Corolla, and has reversing sensors to boot!
I wouldn’t go electric for an elderly person who is close to the end of their driving life. It would take a bit if getting used to & the novelty might be a bit confusing.
Are they that much different to driving a regular auto? I made the point to my parents an electric with their current driving patterns (no more than 10-20 miles in a day) they'd never have to visit a petrol station again it would just be charged and ready to go on their drive.
Honda Jazz for the maximum win. However, they aren't as small as you'd think. But they also seem to be decently narrow, which is half the battle of feeling like they're small.
Mine doesn't have parking blippers and the front can be a bit vague to work out where it is, so I'd be tempted to say get a higher spec one.
Also, they do require a bit of commitment to get the most performance out of - the power comes in at something like 4k in true Honda style so the reason why they go slowly everywhere is because OAP's were taught to change up at 1,001rpm.
I can't imagine how slow an auto would be, and having an auto box is likely what she will find much easier (my mum is mid 70s and for years refused to get an auto "they're for old people". She loves her dsg box now)
Yaris Shirley?
Bifocal windscreen comes as standard
definately get an auto, worked for my 80 year old dad's las years of driving
My dad is 86 and has a Citroen Picassa thing (like the Berlingo he had previously). For him it is the ease of access that is most important. It has wide doors and the seat squab is the perfect height to just sit on and swing around into the car. Seeing him get into my Fiesta or the T5 (2 extremes) is painful to watch. So any mini people carrier would do the job I reckon. I don't think there are really any good or bad cars these days, just ones that work better for different types of drivers.
I had a Honda Jazz for a couple of years (prior to my MLC Porsche 911).
Although much maligned, the Jazz is a great little car. Really spacious, rear seats fold properly flat for larger loads, can seat 4 people in comfort for long journeys, reliable, cheap to buy and run, and surprisingly fun to drive with wheels at each corner, a snickety gear change and a revvy engine.
Also Honda build quality.
I’d strongly recommend.
I’m driving my dads auto Jazz. He drove it until he was in his 80s when he wisely stopped driving. Fuel consumption could be better. Great in every other way
Bought my mum a Nissan Note (2014 model) and it's a really decent car for her needs. Based on the Micra platform so bulletproof, easy to get in and out of and is pretty square so easy to park etc. Cheaper than the equivalent Jazz and doesn't feel like your giving up on life!
If suggesting an auto for an older person, make sure it's a modern one with auto city brake - as that helps reduce the risk of accelerator instead of brake accidents.
They do like to red line them pulling out of a parking bay, don't they!
Fabia - pretty roomy inside and good visibility.
Thanks all, sounds like the Jazz is definitely a good option, but nice to know not the only one.
Jazz are very good but check out Toyota Aygo X as well.
If you're after properly small I reckon the i10 is the best bet. Decent build, decent kit and great warranty. I had one for a couple of days when my 320d was in for some bodywork and I was very impressed. If I just did local running about I'd consider one myself.
Maybe the i20 if the i10's just a bit too much of a downsize from a Volvo, my sister's got one of those and loves it, it does frequent trips from Yorkshire to Scotland and down to Kent without any complaint.
My father bought an 8,000 mile 2017 Panda. It's the 1.3, not the twinair. Garage replaced tyres, battery etc when he bought it and gave it a good going over. He only ever does local journeys now, 99% in 30-50mph zones.
He's only had it a year, and apart from sticky brake caliper (IMO from not doing enough miles), it's been a great wee thing. It's got some proper character, easy to get in and out, higher seat and light controls for everything.
Plus, it's a special edition with Panda cartoons on it. 😎
MiL (80s) and a neighbour (70s) both very happy with their Picantos
The Honda Jazz auto is fine. I’ve had one a couple of times as loaner cars from Honda when our car is getting serviced.
The only downside to Jazz is that (round here) they get their catalytic converters pinched. This might not apply to all Jazz models though.
My partner had an Up! prior to our current car. In all other ways a great little motor but the auto box was shockingly poor. I guess there wasn't room for a 'proper' gearbox. It might be a non-issue and I know nothing about the Jazz but I'd want to test drive any small auto before committing.
I'd vote for the Jazz too, but having said that, M-in-L who has complained endlessly about every single car she has ever owned until now has nothing bad to say about her Suzuki Ignis, so it must be an absolute super car!
It's got that bit of height for view and ease of getting in/out, and quite a lot of room inside given its very small footprint. On all but the base models, the back seats move forward/backwards as well to give more legroom or boot space... not quite as clever as the Jazz, but useful.