Help me Buy a Car for my Mother.

Hamish71 · Post by **Hamish71** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:47 am

Hi guys,

I have belonged to a few car forums over the years...SR20, MX5, 350Z, MG etc. But I must say this is one of the most "honest". And that suits me to the ground. So, I seek some advice.

Myself and my siblings need to buy a shitbox for our mother. She's 70, frail, and does most of her driving around Bribie Island...yes, retirement central. She also does about 4 times a year trips to Bundaberg to visit my sister. The 90 model Barina we bought ber 10yrs ago is...well...not safe anymore. We need to get her another car. Budget is $4500-5000. It never ceases to amaze me how you guys continually turn up cars in that price range that look and go mint, so I seek your advice on what subaru is suitable, and maybe whats available.

Requirements:

Small(ish) - not a wagon
Prefer auto, though not essential
4wd is not required.
A/C and P/S is.
reliable, reliable, reliable.
Cheap to run
Easy/cheap to service
Needs to have about 10yrs of light use left in it.

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:30 pm

I would suggest a 1994-1997 Toyota Corolla, last of the Australian made models. Most parts are readily available anywhere, they tick all the boxes on your list and are cheap on fuel. The only things to check are CVs and timing belt. My partner's 1995 hatch was last serviced at 230k and doesn't need to go back until 260k (and this is from a Toyota dealership). We've had it for about 10 years, only time it's had a problem was 2 dead battery's. They will chew front tyres out like most small fwd cars, and the base-model 13" wheels handle like crap compared to 14".

Goon · Post by **Goon** » Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm

1992(?) Subaru loyale sedan in either Trading post or e-bay-$1,000.00, rego and i think roadworthy as well....

daza · Post by **daza** » Fri May 09, 2008 6:57 pm

93-94 Impreza LX 1.6 no option but auto P/S and A/C standard
Redbook - National average price - private sale* $2,800 - $4,300

Daza.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:50 pm

would have to agree with the AE101 Corolla's that Dfoyl mentioned.

my sister has had her like 1995/6 Hatch with the 1.6 for almost 4 years now.

only needed general maintenance while shes had it and shes racked up a fair few K's on it. must now be at 270+ thousand.

one of those motors which will go forever if liked by previous owners

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:16 pm

anything toyota- even a camry should last ya well. +1 for the corolla

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:57 pm

As much as I would like to say Subaru, get a corolla as above. Try to get one with a good service history and lowest KM possible.

INEEDABEER · Post by **INEEDABEER** » Sat May 10, 2008 5:43 am

I can't believe i'm hearing this!!

Subegirl · Post by **Subegirl** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:46 am

I can't believe I'm hearing this either!! Subaru makes very reliable, safe and economical cars. As with an elderly person, I would not have anything else for my young daughter who is about to get her licence. Criteria for her would be the same. Reliable, safe and economical. Why else would you have anything other than a suby!! If you knew, you would be in a subaru.

chriSTIan · Post by **chriSTIan** » Sat May 10, 2008 3:36 pm

Subarus are a lot easier to work on than some corollas,east west motor,my mate has a twin cam,timing belt looks like a b***h to do and so is the oil filter if it isn't genuine (too short) can't put anything on it to turn it.
Go the subes any day.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:01 pm

I am sure there are impreza that would suit the price range and if it has been well look after then there wouldnt be a problem and if someone in family has subaru then there wouldnt be a problem.
Cheers
AP

discopotato03 · Post by **discopotato03** » Sun May 11, 2008 10:44 am

Don't forget people that short of an L series sedan which is now too old to be really reliable most in the Subaru stable are larger and heavier than many senior cit's want to be bothered maneuvering and parking .
My mother clicks over 70 in a few months and drives her car (Daihatsu Sirion GTVi) rarely . Its small and light and very easy to see out of in the car park squeeze .

I would suggest something a little smaller for basic transport than Toyota Corolla's , people have the silly notion that Toyota's don't break down - pigs they don't . Don't get me started on Toyota engineering because we'll be here for a week .

Had I gone for a small front drive sedan before I chose Ellie RX-T it would have been a G200 Charade because they are small light and generally reliable if the mileage is fair . They come in auto with PS and if you want to play with them where the 1300 goes so does a 1500 or 1600 . Bolt plug .

In that era I reckon Daihatsu was doing it better than Toyota and some of the others in small cars mainly because their layout was a little wider and shorter than most small cars of the day .
Their engine is a SOHC 16 valver with adjustable rockers so YOU can adjust the clearances - no shims to buggerise around with like a twin cam Corolla .
Parts are cheap and plentiful because so many of them were sold - meaning affordable 2nd hand bits like older Subies .

Like I said visibility out of cars for the elderly is paramount because if they don't have confidence in the thing it won't move - period .

My 2 cents spent , cheers A .

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:01 am

I would say grab either a Gen1 lib if you can get on with low kms, or a Gen2.
These seem to be a very popular choice amongst senior citizens in Perth. I can't see how the weight of the car would have any relation to difficulty parking etc unless the senior citizen prefers lifting the car over their head and moving it around like that rather than driving it. The sedans are fairly small and easy to maneuver, steering is light, the controls easy to use, the drive in the autos generally quite docile. These cars are reliable if driven by seniors (well lets face it, lots of cars are) brakes are very powerful, some have ABS, easy to go for an AWD for even more safety. Perfect for oldies.
All you people recommending non-Subaru's.....where do you think you are?? wash your mouths out!!

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:12 pm

discopotato03 wrote:Don't forget people that short of an L series sedan which is now too old to be really reliable most in the Subaru stable are larger and heavier than many senior cit's want to be bothered maneuvering and parking .
My mother clicks over 70 in a few months and drives her car (Daihatsu Sirion GTVi) rarely . Its small and light and very easy to see out of in the car park squeeze .

I would suggest something a little smaller for basic transport than Toyota Corolla's , people have the silly notion that Toyota's don't break down - pigs they don't . Don't get me started on Toyota engineering because we'll be here for a week .

Had I gone for a small front drive sedan before I chose Ellie RX-T it would have been a G200 Charade because they are small light and generally reliable if the mileage is fair . They come in auto with PS and if you want to play with them where the 1300 goes so does a 1500 or 1600 . Bolt plug .

In that era I reckon Daihatsu was doing it better than Toyota and some of the others in small cars mainly because their layout was a little wider and shorter than most small cars of the day .
Their engine is a SOHC 16 valver with adjustable rockers so YOU can adjust the clearances - no shims to buggerise around with like a twin cam Corolla .
Parts are cheap and plentiful because so many of them were sold - meaning affordable 2nd hand bits like older Subies .

Like I said visibility out of cars for the elderly is paramount because if they don't have confidence in the thing it won't move - period .

My 2 cents spent , cheers A .

Do bear in mind that Daihatsus are Toyotas anyway, and share most underbody bits with the smaller Toyotas, eg Starlet.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri May 16, 2008 3:57 pm

Hamish - a brumby! Why do you have to ask??? Okay, a pimped out MY touring wagon from the subi boys would be the next best thing

Seriously though, any subaru that has a good service history should be fine for your mum.

Personally I wouldn't go anything else except maybe the corolla - mum has a 2003 model that she won in the school raffle, been a very good car the whole time we've had it. I'm sure it will continue to be a great car in the future.

Cheers

Bennie