Car Buying Tips for Seniors
Recently we published the Top 10 Vehicles for Seniors for 2009, a handy list for those in their golden years searching for a car. The list focussed heavily on features and technologies that aide in driving -- especially those involving visibility and adjustability. Many seniors also suffer from limited motion and stiffness in the hands and wrist, usually triggered by arthritis. These are obvious factors to consider when buying a car (here are other mobility buying factors)
Beyond the list itself, here are some other vehicles and factors to consider.
1) Driving Position Adjustment: You know the stereotype -- a little old lady sitting on phone books barely poking her giant Harry Caray sunglasses over the steering wheel rim. Yet in today's cars, that shouldn't happen. Driver seat height adjustment means phone books can be kept in the cupboard, while power adjustable pedals and telescoping steering wheels mean you can keep a safe distance from the airbag.
2) Simple Controls: Let's be honest, the older you get, the less inclined you are to be impressed by the latest and greatest in technological innovation. Navigation systems, iPod interfaces and the myriad electronics controllers are just as likely to be turn-offs among baby boomers and beyond. As such, simpler, straight-forward controls and dashboard lay-outs (like in the Hyundai Elantra, right) are bound to be welcome items.
3) Electric Power Steering: Car nuts may lament this scourge of proper road feel and steering effort, but most EPS system result in a low-effort steering response that should aide those with joint paint or strength issues. Parking can literally be a pain without it. Toyota almost exclusively uses EPS, though it is becoming wide spread throughout the marketplace.
4) High-Mounted Seats: Dropping yourself into a low-slung driver seat and then climbing out again can be difficult as you get older. As such, finding a car with a just-right hip point is important. Good grab handles are also useful.
5) Blind-Spot Warning: Whether an extra mirror like on the Ford Edge (right), or warning lights that activate when a car is in your blind spot, these systems are helpful when preventing accidents for drivers whose eyesight isn't what it used to be. Buying a car with good visibility is also a must
6) Consider Hyundai: Whether the Elantra, Sonata or Santa Fe, Hyundais provide spacious cabins, tall green houses, simple controls, easy-to-turn steering (despite not being EPS), generally high hip points and low prices. Hyundai also provides a lengthy warranty, which is key since older folks tend to hang onto their cars later.
7) Consider the 2010 Prius: Fewer fuel fill-ups, cheaper to run, reliable, super-light electric steering, ample visibility, loads of visibility aides and warnings, comfortable ride, fuel-sipping engine, tall hip point, driving position optimized for short people, simple controls, spacious back seat when the kids come to town, and a spacious hatchback trunk for motorized scooters and other bulky items. It's hard to think of a better car for senior drivers.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
Edmunds 2009 Car Buying Guide: Top Mobility Vehicles
What Should We Do About Grandma's Driving?
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- James Riswick September 16, 2009, 3:00 AM
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- Automotive Technology, Family Cars and Concerns
Just as Toyota became what it is today by building better "mainstream American cars" than the Detroit 3 did, Hyundai is now in a position to build better Toyotas than Toyota does.
With items #6 & #7, it's no wonder people accuse you of having a bias.
This article is not a sutaible replacement for your "Thought's from the Curb" pieces... What happened to those?
No Cadillacs or Lincolns?!
Recommending Hyundai is a bias?
I was very surprised by #6 but it does make sense.