What would you suggest?

T

the graduate

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2007
Messages
654
Reaction score
0
Location
CT
My mom is a little over 60 years old and still practices as a teacher. Every morning off to school until 4pm.

She currently drives a 2003 Renault Clio 1.4 A/T with 55 000km on the clock and she had no major issues.

What would you suggest as a replacement around the R200k mark or less?

Renault Clio 1.6 A/T (R209k)
Polo 1.6 A/T (R200k..?)
Honda Jazz 1.5 V-Tec CVT
Second hand A-Class A/T

Any other suggestions?
 
Perhaps a Toyota Corolla 2009, very low millage (under 50000km), 160i. It's fuel efficient, has a nice ride quality, easy to maintain, very reliable. I don't think your mom needs anything powerful, I mean, she doesn't need a 2l capacity engine or higher. A 1.6l will at least give a nice improvement over what she has. You can get a Corolla 160i 2009 for around R150-160000. That's just one option. I've been driving Toyota Corollas for a long time. First was a Conquest, then a Corolla 2003 and let me tell you, they almost never give any hassles at all. They just keep on running and the resale value is extremely good.
 
Hucklebury said:
Perhaps a Toyota Corolla 2009, very low millage (under 50000km), 160i. It's fuel efficient, has a nice ride quality, easy to maintain, very reliable. I don't think your mom needs anything powerful, I mean, she doesn't need a 2l capacity engine or higher. A 1.6l will at least give a nice improvement over what she has. You can get a Corolla 160i 2009 for around R150-160000. That's just one option. I've been driving Toyota Corollas for a long time. First was a Conquest, then a Corolla 2003 and let me tell you, they almost never give any hassles at all. They just keep on running and the resale value is extremely good.
Click to expand...

Sorry, bro, we had the worst experience with a Toyota in the 80s. Gearbox melted and left us stranded alongside the road at 2am in the morning in the Northern Cape. My dad had to leave us in the car and find help. He only got back at 5am with a farmer about 20km from where we broke down. She must have been terrified during that period with three kids in the car. She has every since hated Toyota.
 
LancelotSA said:
Why replace it? You said she has no issues and it only has 55000km on the clock.
Click to expand...
You are right and I have suggested this to her, but I must add that the grand kids had a field day in there. Chocolate, ice-cream, sticky sweets stains, etc have taken there toll on the interior. I'll get her car a valet when I go visit, but it will be a car that she'll officially want to retire with and use the 'old' Clio as the family "back-up" car...

The other thing is that I think she also wants something new for herself that the kids will not "trek-deur-die-gat"...
 
the graduate said:
You are right and I have suggested this to her, but I must add that the grand kids had a field day in there. Chocolate, ice-cream, sticky sweets stains, etc have taken there toll on the interior. I'll get her car a valet when I go visit, but it will be a car that she'll officially want to retire with and use the 'old' Clio as the family "back-up" car...

The other thing is that I think she also wants something new for herself that the kids will not "trek-deur-die-gat"...
Click to expand...

When is her retirement date set? She is not still going to be burdened with car repayments when she retires if she does this?
 
LancelotSA said:
When is her retirement date set? She is not still going to be burdened with car repayments when she retires if she does this?
Click to expand...

My mom has done a pretty good job of stashing cash for the old age. No, car payments are not the issue here. She's been teaching for 42 years and has only been away from school due to the birth of her children. Also, she has already retired at 55, but has been on contract for the last 7 years. Currently she's on a three year renewable contract and its all "pure profit" for her...plus she loves teaching....
 
Sorry, bro, we had the worst experience with a Toyota in the 80s. Gearbox melted and left us stranded alongside the road at 2am in the morning in the Northern Cape. My dad had to leave us in the car and find help. He only got back at 5am with a farmer about 20km from where we broke down. She must have been terrified during that period with three kids in the car. She has every since hated Toyota.
Click to expand...

Sorry you had such bad experiences. The Toyota Corolla is one of the most reliable car models of any car I think. The above sounds like the exception but definitely not the norm. I had a Toyota Conquest 130i (1986 year model) and it was perfect until I sold it in 2004. No hassles whatsoever.
 
the graduate said:
My mom has done a pretty good job of stashing cash for the old age. No, car payments are not the issue here. She's been teaching for 42 years and has only been away from school due to the birth of her children. Also, she has already retired at 55, but has been on contract for the last 7 years. Currently she's on a three year renewable contract and its all "pure profit" for her...plus she loves teaching....
Click to expand...

Nice to see her many years of work has yielded a comfortable retirement. Good for her.

Based on her age, I suggest the following:
- Steer well clear of the Polo, because of the hijack risk.
- For reliability, I don't think you can go wrong with a Corolla. But if she doesn't like Toyota, then maybe Honda.
- I like the Merc A-Class too. Though maintenance costs (post s/plan) might be an issue.
 
Yes, I agree with the Toyota in that it has been the exception rather than the norm....but you know what William Congreve wrote: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"...

She has preference for the Clio, but also wants a change...hence the Honda in second and the A-Class a distant third...

I can't seem to think of alternatives....ix35 A/T? Quasqai..? they seem a little pricey new....
 
You really think a Golf 5 GTI is a good option given the circumstances ? She is on the verge of retirement. Not going around test tracks.
 
Ok, sticking with the four options:

New Clio 1.6 A/T with panoramic roof
New Polo 1.6 A/T
New Honda Jazz A/T with panoramic roof
Entry level A-Class A/T (Don't know their prices)

My favourite is the Clio, but the Polo does have the looks though...
 
From that list I would go for the Jazz - you just can't beat it in terms of quality and value for money.
Mercedes also makes some of the smoothest autoboxes around so if you can find one it would be worth a try.

Just stay away from VAGs.
 
I would go with the New Honda Jazz - you know you are buying reliability, but also look at the A-Class - they are brilliant, but Merc hit a wobble with reliability in the 2001 to 2007 period (in my opinion).
 
Get her a Diatshu Cirion in automatic.
Older people just love them and with the automatic they have more time to concentrate on the road and traffic.
 
The B-Class Benz, I read, was particularly suited for older people...anyone with first hand experience of this car...

is it reliable. I heard its extremely pricey to maintain...parts, that is....
 
Diatshu & Suziki have very high parts prices and often you have to wait a long time to get parts. Korean cars on the other hand are have more readily available part at better prices. The Jazz seems to be the best choice here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X