I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 12:06

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - Arctic Jack

My nana needs a new car and she has given me a list of requirements. I said I’d look into it for her and try to find a suitable car. Her requirements are:

Price under £2500
Very economical -lots and lots of miles to the gallon.
Small and easy to drive
Cheap tax
Reliable

What sort/make/model of car should I be looking at and any other advice would be most welcome as I know nothing at all about cars.

Thank you!

Edited by Arctic Jack on 08/10/2011 at 12:07

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 12:39

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - gordonbennet

One big question first, well two actually.

Does she want automatic, if she does this seriously limits the choice as you really wouldn't wish an automated manual on your worst enemy let alone your gran.

Does she want petrol or Diesel, this is most important as she will be filling it up no doubt unless you happen to have the last attended pumps in the country nearby, so factor in smelly Diesel.

DPF shouldn't be a problem for her as in the budget you mention it's unlikely a DPF equipped Diesel will crop up.

Another question...is this car for her alone or will she be carrying her cronies about too.

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 13:34

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - Arctic Jack

She’s always driven a manual car and I can’t see her wanting to switch to an automatic, although I wouldn’t rule one out. She’s fit for her age and does 18 holes of golf most weekends. Her last car which she just sold was petrol but diesel is cheaper to run right? If it is, I’m sure that is what she would want (diesel). Really whichever one is going to be cheaper and more reliable. The car is for her alone and probably a golf trolley/bag in the boot.

Are DPF diesels to be avoided?

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 13:49

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - gordonbennet

eBay classified 260866628481...slightly over your budget but a good example.

Daihatsi Sirion 05 onwards, preferably the 1.3, it's more or less a Toyota Yaris without the badge so much cheaper and usually low mileage, should prove as reliable as anything on the road.

DPF's should be avoided if possible.

Edited by gordonbennet on 08/10/2011 at 13:50

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 13:54

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - Bobbin Threadbare

Her last car which she just sold was petrol but diesel is cheaper to run right? If it is, I’m sure that is what she would want (diesel). Really whichever one is going to be cheaper and more reliable. The car is for her alone and probably a golf trolley/bag in the boot.

Depends on mileage; it is not a blanket truth that diesel is more economical. If you're doing under 15k miles a year then there is probably an overall saving on buying a petrol car and petrol fuel. There are tools to work this stuff out; Parkers site has a diesel vs petrol tool for newer cars. I tried it for the new version of my own car and it would have taken me about 4 years to make up the difference if I got a diesel, so petrol is better in that case!

You have a lot more choice if you're looking at manuals as well. If she's got a golf bag etc she might like something with seats that fold down tidily or a big boot.

For low mileages, DPFs are generally considered to be less good, as the cack that builds up on them isn't burnt off (regenerations) by toodling through town; it needs a good long motorway run.

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 12:42

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - Bobbin Threadbare

Get yourself on Autotrader and have a look. You can be quite specific; for example, does your nana like to drive an automatic or a manual car? If I put your criteria in, for £2.5k I get lots of Fiestas, Micras and Clios, averaging around a 54/05 plate. Also the odd Toyota Yaris (53 plate). Most of those have low tax and the insurance is also low. There's quite a few Honda Jazzes too e.g. www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20112138842...p

Those are quite popular with retired people it would seem; I guess it's the decent Honda reliability and the fact that the car is easy to get in and out of.

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Sat 8 Oct 2011 17:52

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - Avant

As always, at this price level condition matters more than make or model. The advantage of the Fiesta is that there are lots to choose from, and your gran will get a newer one that she would a Honda Jazz, which I agree with Bobbin would be ideal. As she gets older and less mobile, she'd find a Jazz particularly easy to get in and out of. A Yaris is a good bet too.

Two to avoid - Vauxhall Corsa (dismal to drive and there have been severe engine problems with 2005-06 cars) and Nissan Micra (starting problems after short journeys). Also be careful if looking at anything French: there are some good ones around but only if the previous owner has looked after them well.

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Sun 9 Oct 2011 10:13

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - Chris M

Is fuel economy really that important? How many miles will she be doing? On 5000 miles per year the difference between 40 mpg and 50 mpg is about £150. The cost of insurance, RFL and spares/servicing could make as much difference.

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Sun 9 Oct 2011 14:22

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - jamie745

On that mileage it might only be going in for a service every couple of years. On this sort of budget as always condition and service history is paramount. You can definately get a thoroughly decent set of wheels for £2500, a nicely well looked after Japanese motor with low mileage and service history should see her out. I dont mean that insensitively but...oh i give up.

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Sun 9 Oct 2011 15:06

I need a very economical car for my nana (76 year old with a £2500 budget). - 475TBJ

I'd agree with those mentioning a Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra and Ford Fiesta. I'd avoid Freanch and Italian cars on reliability grounds.

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