NeilMH Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 To try and cut a long story short: My wife has a very serious back problem following many surgeries and procedures. For day-to-day transport we are still using a 19 year old Toyota Corolla 1.6 Auto Liftback, for the following reasons: 1. It's easy to get in and out of (modern cars often require a sponsored walk to get from the outside of the door to the middle of the seat!) 2. It has very good ride quality 3. It has a big boot (we often have to take quite a lot of stuff with us) 4. It has never gone wrong 5. We average around 37mpg 6. Most importantly she has to travel with the seat reclining at 45 degrees, the Toyota uses a sprung lever - you pull it up and back you go and release it and the seat is sprung to return forward - so she doesn't have to carry her own weight when coming back up again. Having said all that, we can't expect it to go on forever and it is a bit light on safety features So we are looking for a saloon or hatchback but it must have: 1. Seats that recline either electrically on the passenger side or with a lever (the revolving knob thing is a pain to use on a day-to-day basis to put it mildly) 2. Good or very good ride quality 3. A boot of at least 400 litres 4. Four doors (or 5) 5. Be easy to get in and out of - neither too high or too low 6. Automatic 7. Cost no more than £11,000 - for whatever age that would get us 8. Ideally be economical but that might have to be a secondary consideration 9. Be reliable - it would be a big deal if we got stuck somewhere 10. Not too big (eg. the last Mondeo would be as big as we would want to go - the latest one is too big) The Prius boot is too small, the new C Class looks good but isn't cheap enough yet, the Octavia has the dreaded wheel to lower the seats, The L&K version only has electric reclining on the driver side, etc, etc. Trying a Lexus IS250 today but boot a bit small and a question of ride quality and petrol cost! Worried about X-type reliability. Given the wealth of other cars that 350/370 owners have out there - anyone got any cars that meet the above criteria or any suggestions. Even though I have some brand hang-ups I would put them to one side for the right car. I look forward to any ideas. I continue to poor over my old what cars and parkers web site every evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkwright Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 It sounds like your wife has something similar to my friends wife who has suffered severe back problems for ages. They have a Hyundai I-30 which suits her very well except that it has very low profile tyres which give a harsh ride. Theirs is the top spec model with all the gizmos on it. He seems to think lower spec may have different tyres. They also have a honda CRV which she finds even more comfortable although a little high. She is able to drive both vehicles without too much discomfort. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thanks Arkwright - I will have a look at both of those. I keep finding myself telling salesmen that I don't want big wheels and low profile tyres - I want small wheels and big tyres! You have also reminded me that we still haven't given up on my wife driving again - so I ought to consider how she would get on in the driver side as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 My Mums joints were all knackerd by meds. She has a CRV and she finds it great. Friends of my parents were in a huge car accident last year, broken back and legs etc, heaps of surgery..... They managed into mums CRV so easily they bought one for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Newer CRVs for £11k will have been to the moon and back mileage wise. I have been looking over the last week or two. I'll pm you the link to what I've just put a deposit on. If it's as said and drives well I'll be coming home in it on Monday. (9 hours+ of driving ) They do diesel and auto, the sooty does good mpg , but might be too big as you can have a party in the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 Many thanks Chris and Stew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 My in laws bought a 2 door 207 diesel when the old man had cancer, as he was struggling to get in and out of their previous car and was suffering from a harsh ride, and they were pleased with it - it had big doors and a nice compliant ride. Its now mine and while its not the most exciting drive its not as bad as youd think. Dont know how big the boot is but the 307 is bound to be bigger if its a problem, IIRC we could greandm,as wheelchair in there though, it sees 50+ mpg even with me driving it (I dont make 20mpg in my Zed ), has a handle for the seat reclinage and touch wood hasnt gone wrong yet, youd get one for a lot less than £11K as well. Japs and Germans will probably ride too hard and I doubt they would have the handle, Italians will be too difficult to get in and out of so that kind of leaves French and Focusssssessesses. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I was going to suggest a CRV or similar something a little higher off the ground so that you basically just slide in rather than down into.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thank you docwra and smd. I'm taking it all in and will follow up when back home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 What about a ford c-max ? Not too big like a Galaxy but would be very comfy, not sure about the seat though and I would have thought more in budget with probably more toys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Pug 3008? Qashqai? Volvo? E class? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 What about something like this ... Lexus RX. Very comfortable and electric everything http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4085101.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 What about something like this ... Lexus RX. Very comfortable and electric everything http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4085101.htm My Dad ordered a new one back when they came out. In that colour too. It was an SEL with every option box ticked..... Being a Lexus that was one box for a wood inlay in the steering wheel! Absolutely brilliant car, had everything in it. Not sure if it might be a little high though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 What about something like this ... Lexus RX. Very comfortable and electric everything http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4085101.htm My Dad ordered a new one back when they came out. In that colour too. It was an SEL with every option box ticked..... Being a Lexus that was one box for a wood inlay in the steering wheel! Absolutely brilliant car, had everything in it. Not sure if it might be a little high though. +1 on a brilliant car, lots of bang for your bucks I know they are a little higher than a standard car, but very easy to get in and out of as I know someone with one, they have a bad back also.... and would not have anything else. The eco one with the electric motor is fantastic on MPG as well Definitely worth a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Alfa 159? Mondeo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 my grandparents got themselves a golf plus sits taller, really easy to get in and out of, but as for the inside, can;t say i've been in it so can't comment. anything along those lines would work, maybe a ford Smax or C max, my wifes grandfather bought one for his sick wife to make it easy to get her to hospital, made life alot easier. parkers also reccomends Renault Scenic (09 on) http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/r ... tate-2009/ and Citroën C4 Picasso (07 on) http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/c ... tate-2007/ Seat altera hatchback http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/s ... back-2004/ nissan quashquai http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/n ... agon-2007/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuarty Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Insignia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thanks everyone. In response to the additional ones: Lexus RX - will look at next week - tried IS250 today and very impressed £10,750 for '57 car - had everything. Even though writers say it has a niggly low speed right we thought it was perfectly acceptable and that was on 18s - I would choose 17s. Seats infinitely adjustable and softer and less germanic than some which suits Caroline because of the amount of metalwork in her back. Boot just about big enough. Definitely now on the short list. Pug 3008 - will look at Quashai - my friend has one and I thought the ride was pretty hard but he knows nothing about cars and probably had the tyres on 75 psi! Volvo - tried S40 - because of the amount of safety stuff in the doors it's quite difficult for Caroline to get in and out of (or so we perceived) E-Class probably a bit big but we have discovered that the new C-Class is a contender - we just need to find a cheaper one Alfa 159 - need to look at - also slightly nervous about reliability although I have had 2 reliable Alfas myself as weekend toys Mondeo - new one a bit big but last one excellent - has annoying wheel thing on seats but maybe a Ghia X might have and electric passenger seat - will look at CRV - to look at Golf Plus, Scenic, C4 Picasso, Altera, C-Max and Insignia all to look at Thanks again to all my readers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Lexus IS woulda been my first recommendation. Smooth drive, lots of toys, but heard the petrol can be a bit thirsty? Also the first shape ford galaxy had rotating seats as standard. The front seats could rotate towards the door which could make access easier? Not sure which other cars have this feature but could be something to look into Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 Lexus IS woulda been my first recommendation. Smooth drive, lots of toys, but heard the petrol can be a bit thirsty? Also the first shape ford galaxy had rotating seats as standard. The front seats could rotate towards the door which could make access easier? Not sure which other cars have this feature but could be something to look into Thanks - yes re fuel on IS - the update model is slightly better (ie. another 2 mpg or similar). However, I also know that you can squeeze more fuel out of a V6 if you have to. I am going to have another look at some of the bigger booted fords and the newer Avensis - even though it is not the most attractive car in the world. The only downside with some of these is they are massive now - the IS is quite a good compromise in size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Alfa is a bit tight on the inside, beautiful cars though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 Alfa is a bit tight on the inside, beautiful cars though. Yes - I have good memories of past Alfas. However, when I had the Flying Bread Van (145QV), the dealers I encountered were the worst I have ever dealt with - but I think they have done something about that now. Engine was best 4c I have had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 Just to revive this. Our quest of many months to find a car that my wife can travel comfortably has ended in a bizarre way - the answer is A Vaxhaull Vectra Design Exclusive 1.9cdti Auto This is the most unexpected result as during previous decades I had vowed never to buy a Vauxhall and had developed a serious hang up about them. However, in reality - it is comfortable, quiet and the seats sit quite a bit higher than many others we have tried. The back of the seat doesn't do something stupid when it reclines. The ride quality on this particular model is surprisingly good. We have a 500L boot (we need 400L) and it is relatively economical. Someone paid more than £22k around 4 years ago - they lost £16k. In the world of Vectras it is relatively expensive at just over £6.5k but it is impeccable so I don't care. The only compromise is that it has one of those wheel things to recline the seat but it is of a much more useable design and there is room to get your hand to it. During our many visits and test drives: 1. The best customer service prize goes to Lexus who fell over themselves trying to help (equal 2nd Jaguar and Skoda specialists) 2. The slightly disappointing prize goes to Mercedes - I thought it was going to be the answer but it wasn't 3. The low speed hard ride prizes are awarded to the latest Toyota Avensis, with the Prius 2nd 4. The most comfortable seat and ride goes to the Renault Megane (bootyliscious version) 6. The too small a boot prize and the "will it still be going in 3 months time" prize goes to the Renault Megane 7. The most difficult way to recline a seat yourself and try and put it back up again prize goes to Ford Focus (last one) 8. The most annoying salesman prize goes to any number of people who all tried to come up with amazing reasons why I should buy what they had in stock - 95% of which I knew to be false - e.g. you'll be lucky to find another one of these if you search for 6 months or you don't want to take any notice of that (that being anything that might be relevant). The other annoying thing was the ones who would try and hunt me down like a rabid dog. There were many other cars we tried along the way and maybe others we hadn't got round to that might have been better but life is too short. Cars have changed massively over the last 20 years, mainly because they are hundreds of kilograms heavier and this impacts on everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Glad you have found something that fits your requirement .... and a Vauxhall is indeed unexpected I have always found Lexus dealerships very helpful and most of all professional, which a lot of other dealers could learn from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bounty Bar Kid Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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