Your questions answered: What’s a good car for my elderly parents?

The last thing we want for our ageing parents is to stifle their mobility and independence. So, selecting the right car for your mother or father is critically important.

And their purchasing criteria may be markedly different from your own.

Naturally, a new car – or a used car that replaces an older vehicle – should be easy to drive, and safe. But it also needs to be reliable, comfortable and cost-effective to own.

These are all pretty standard criteria most of us will apply when we set out to purchase a car. But there may be other considerations when it comes to guiding your elderly parents for the purchase of their next car.

Question: As my father is no longer driving, I’m looking for a car for my mother, who is 80 years old. They currently have a Subaru 2005 that needs to go but they need a boot space big enough for their Labrador. They also have a trailer to collect firewood, however a tow bar option is not essential. What new or used car do you suggest for them under $30,000? They live in Queenscliff (Vic) and drive to Geelong once a week and to Melbourne once a month for doctor’s appointments and family. – Jenni D

Answer: If your mother is happy driving the Subaru, we’d suggest updating to a newer-generation Subaru. There are three potentials: the Subaru XV, Forester and Outback. We’d suggest the Subaru Forester is the sweet spot, given you’re after room for the dog and the potential to tow, and 2016-2017 models should be in the price range. The Forester has a great reputation and many attributes that make it popular with older drivers, including a decent suite of driver safety aids and good seat height for easy access.

Question: My mum’s car has broken down and she needs to purchase a new one in the $20,000-22,000 range. She’s in her late 70s and my father is in his 80s, so both need to be able to get in and out of it easily. She looked at a Mazda CX-3 but found it a bit cramped and not enough headroom. I want it to have the best safety features for her own safety and for my nephew, who often travels with her to different venues. She likes to visit the nursery to buy plants, potting mix etc, so the boot needs to be easy for her to lift things in and out. I know you have often recommended the Kia Sportage and she had been keen on that but her local mechanic told her that they were no good and to go for a Japanese car. – Vikki P

Answer: If the Mazda CX-3 is too small then she should be looking at a Subaru Forester or Kia Sportage. She should drive both to see which one she likes, and which gives her the best value and safety. Your mechanic is badly wrong and out of date on South Korean cars, which now provide excellent quality and reliability.

Question: I own a 2007 Toyota Aurion that has travelled about 110,000km and has started blowing blue smoke on start-ups. The smoke only appears after long runs in the car and there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the engine’s performance – although it does use a fair bit of oil. I have heard of this model Aurion having problems with rocker cover oil baffles blocking up with old oil. – Robert W

Answer: Blue smoke on start-up is almost always caused by oil finding its way into the combustion chambers, usually through the valve region, and that would explain the oil consumption. That’s not a high mileage for an Aurion but you need to get a professional investigation before things get worse.

Question: I currently drive a 2013 Ford Ranger XLT and I’m considering buying a Ford Everest Bi-Turbo next year. Do you recommend this car or are there any other options l should look at, as it needs to tow a three-tonne caravan? – Anthony G

Answer: The Ford Everest will do the job, as we’ve found on our tow test. There’s also an all-new Isuzu MU-X coming soon which would be worth test driving. Ford will renew the Ranger in the first quarter of next year, so there will be an all-new Everest before the end of 2022. Either way, the current Everest is fine for your needs and will be considerably better equipped – particularly on the safety front – than your eight-year-old Ranger.

Question: My wife is scheduled for a new company car in three months’ time and will be replacing a Hyundai Sonata Active which has been absolutely amazing. She has the option of the base-level Tucson which looks very nice, but I’m torn between it and the new-model Sonata. Do you think it’s time we chose the Tucson over the Sonata? There are only the two of us. – Mal S

Answer: It’s good to hear someone considering a new car and not heading automatically to an SUV. But you need to test drive the two types, back-to-back, to make an informed decision. The sporty all-new Hyundai Sonata is as good as you would expect but the Hyundai Tucson could spring a surprise after a total update this year and it may be more versatile. It’s also just been named carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV 2021.

Question: My wife and I are in the market for a new vehicle and have around $40,000 to spend. We are currently driving a 2005 Subaru Forester, purchased as new which I will be keeping as my run-around. We have had a test drive of a Kia Seltos and loved it. We are also interested in the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and perhaps the Mazda CX-5. – Malcolm W

Answer: If you like the Kia Seltos and it meets your needs, particularly in the compact package, then go for it and save yourself plenty of money. The latest Kia Sportage and the new Hyundai Tucson are both great, with the Sportage entering a new generation (and matching up closely with Tucson) later this year. The Mazda CX-5 is a default choice for lots of people, but the Seltos is surprisingly good and excellent value.

Question: My daughter’s car, a 2018 Hyundai Accent, has two bubble-like spots on the roof in the paintwork. She raised this with the dealer in early 2021, forwarding photos, and they said bird droppings caused it. We readdressed this again in May with the service centre, and still bird droppings. Then we made contact with customer care without success. We have had new cars over the years and paintwork has never been an issue like this. Advice as to the next step would be appreciated. – Noelene P

Answer: Bird droppings can be extremely corrosive and if not caught early can cause small spots of damage. You can ask Customer Service at Hyundai HQ for a field service representative to look at the car but it may be difficult to move beyond the bird droppings and prove that a manufacturing fault is to blame.

Question: Many years ago, I took your advice and bought a Toyota Aurion, and I’ve now had three Aurions and Camrys over the last 15 years. But my needs have somewhat changed and I am thinking of buying an all-wheel drive SUV as I need off-road capability. I have a property that is about 110km from where I live and an AWD would come in handy for the odd time I go there to collect firewood. Also, I need something that is economical as I may travel interstate with my wife. I have three young grandchildren that I wish to spend time with, so carting them around and sightseeing is another requirement. What are your thoughts on the new Toyota Kluger Hybrid? Or can you suggest what other options I should look at? Servicing costs are very important too. – Sam S

Answer: There are cheaper choices than the Toyota Kluger, although the hybrid will save money over time if you’re mainly doing short suburban runs. Once you’re out of the suburbs it is effectively a large petrol-powered SUV, so for that job you can save money and get a better result with smaller mid-size SUVs. There are plenty from which to choose including the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but carsales recently named the Hyundai Tucson as its top choice in the segment. It also has a great warranty and capped-price servicing.

Question: I’m in the market for a medium-sized car to accommodate a dog in the back and tall teenage son soon to gain his L plates. I’m looking to spend around $50,000-$80,000. Any recommendations? – Paula M

Answer: Look first at the Skoda Octavia, which is an excellent car that will tick your boxes. It’s refined and great value, and Skoda is part of the Volkswagen Group but underappreciated in Australia. You don’t need to spend big on an Audi or BMW badge to get a properly classy new car.

Question: I am considering buying a BMW X6 and I was just wondering your thoughts in terms of reliability and things to watch out for. Looking at somewhere between 2010-2013 with about 150,000km. Nothing serious in terms of what driving I do, just two children in seats, no off-road, potentially towing a small caravan at some point. – James P

Answer: The BMW X6 is an X5 for people who want a bit more style, and has been a solid seller despite initial resistance to an SUV coupe. There have been no bad reports, just as the X5, it is highly rated by owners. Make sure the car you buy has a full service history and it always pays to consider an independent report before you purchase it. RedBook Inspect offers this service.

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