# Help widowed “Soccer Grandma” choose a car **URL:** \ **Category:** Buying/Selling\ **Created:** [June 24, 2026, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896 "2026-06-24T15:45:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/24 "2026-06-25T17:12:27Z")
> [@Honda2076](#): > > Let’s bring back walkie-talkies, CB Radios and typewriters! 😃 Walkie Talkies are still available and a simple Google search will show what they are mostly used for. CB Radios and typewriters ( you can’t be serious ). ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/25 "2026-06-25T21:17:34Z")
@ChrisTheTireWhisperer you’re obviously against google maps, backup cameras, radios, ac and just about any options at all On my nephew’s 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, just about everything is controlled through the touchscreen And it’s a VERY nice car, imo Maybe you better stick to gas-guzzling older cars and the Thomas guide ---
**Author:** ![Honda2076](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/53a042/32.png) [@Honda2076](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda2076)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/26 "2026-06-25T22:41:36Z")
I was being sarcastic. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/27 "2026-06-26T00:22:09Z")
You might consider a Honda Pilot. It’s very similar to an Odyssey, but with 4 real doors instead of the power sliding doors. Still has a large rear hatchback. We moved from having (2) Odysseys to a Pilot about 2 years ago. The power sliding doors were great, until they started having problems. Then nobody wanted to work on them, or charge an arm and a leg to just replace everything. Our kids had grown up, so we didn’t need the doors anymore anyway. It’s a tad smaller cargo-wise, but it’s still very roomy and comfortable. You can get them without all the bells and whistles. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/28 "2026-06-26T01:08:59Z")
Not a tad smaller, the Pilot has significantly less cargo carrying capacity for equivalent seating. We have an Odyssey and our daughter has a Pilot. What they call completely full is less than half full for us. ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/29 "2026-06-26T02:37:26Z")
Fair enough. But it still has some advantages over an Odyseey. Just suggesting an alternative that would be familiar to someone who’s owned an Odyssey. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/30 "2026-06-26T04:35:34Z")
I fell the solution is either renting a couple options or taking a vehicle home to test fit the gear if the dealer allows. Pilot or highlander would be worth a look. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/31 "2026-06-27T16:57:23Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > On my nephew’s 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, just about everything is controlled through the touchscreen Just out of idle curiosity, I decided to count the number of physical push buttons and the number of touchscreen controls on my 2022 NX. Between the dashboard and the console, there are 11 push buttons, and a **very** large number of functions that are controlled via the touchscreen. The touchscreen menu has 4 main icons, and–of course–pressing each of those will bring-up a number of other items. Without spending a huge amount of time, it looks like that yields 28 functions, but some of those functions have sub-functions for fine-tuning them. The total number of possible functions is clearly… huge… and even as a senior citizen, I have no problems navigating these functions. If all of those functions were controlled by old-fashioned mechanical push buttons or toggle switches, the dashboard of a modern vehicle would look like the flight deck on The Concorde. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/f/e/fe5ba6df9c7f401570d7a743a4973ed3e8233037.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/32 "2026-06-27T17:00:38Z")
So the question remains: How many of those functions, and sub-functions, and sub-sub-functions, are truly necessary? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/33 "2026-06-27T17:02:23Z")
@ChrisTheTireWhisperer and a few others pine for those “good old days” One of them even incorporated it into his screen name 😁 ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/34 "2026-06-28T00:19:26Z")
In some cases, the good old days lasted up until around 15 years ago! A lot of good cars still to be had from around that time, modern crumple zones, airbags, ABS, without the weirdness (touch screens, subscriptions, licenses to access repairs, etc). ---
**Author:** ![Honda2076](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/53a042/32.png) [@Honda2076](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda2076)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/35 "2026-06-28T01:55:45Z")
I spent all day…well, most of it waiting for the ■■■■ sales people at Honda to pay attention to me. I test drove the new Odyssey Touring (despite asking for an LE) - it was fine. I left though after being forgotten for 40 minutes. Decided not to never go to that dealership again. Drove a Subaru Outback and Forester. Didn’t care for either. Then drove a Prius (just because I never have before) - impressive! But not enough room. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/36 "2026-06-28T02:00:29Z")
Go on Cargurus. That’s how I specified and found my Honda Accord. It lets you set distance willing to travel to find a used one, what model years, maximum mileage, trim level, color, how many prior owners, even filters out accident vehicles from the results. ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/37 "2026-06-28T02:28:39Z")
I am going to go against the crowd here and suggest you take a look at the newer Kia Minivan, I think it is the Cardinal. Looks like a CUV and it is a nice car. You have to buy a certified preowned to get the 10 yr/100K warranty. If you are able to save a lot of $ upfront, then the resale value is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/38 "2026-06-28T03:50:46Z")
Most of the incoming Sienna vans at our dealership say sale pending if you look at inventory on Toyotas site. Look in a wider radius and one in a preferred color could be available. We searched dealerships up to 50mi away to get the prius in 2008, when they were sold before the next truck arrived. We have 4 within 30mi of us, and more heading to Seattle if we have to. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/39 "2026-06-28T04:23:57Z")
What’s your problem with touch screens? Using Google maps, microphones and the touch-screen sure beats the Thomas guide . . . ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/40 "2026-06-28T04:47:32Z")
In a moving 1 to 2 ton object, a touch screen where one has to navigate can become a major distraction, and a path off the road into someone’s property, in secconds. Switches knobs, and buttons are more intuitive, and I know which controls what without prolonged glancing away from the road. Touch screens are fine on tablets and phones. What do you like about them, in a car setting, so much? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/41 "2026-06-28T08:07:22Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > In a moving 1 to 2 ton object, a touch screen where one has to navigate can become a major distraction, You can turn off the display if it distracts you. Some owners keep the display off but perhaps they feel this will extend the life if the display. While driving you should not be adjusting the audio system equalizer, reviewing the fuel economy charts, resetting maintenance reminders or adjusting driver preferences. Most adjustments should be performed while parked. Most late model vehicles do not have navigation systems, the driver (or passenger) can display their navigation map information on the vehicle’s display from a smart phone. That is an intentional act, if a map display distracts you, turn it off. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/42 "2026-06-28T11:53:53Z")
> [@Honda2076](#): > > Drove a Subaru Outback and Forester. Yuck. I think all the people around here who LOVE them grew up riding tractors and think Subaru drives great. Hated the styling. Nice folks at the dealership, though. My Subaru Outback does not ride like a tractor and if you hated the styling why did you even go to a Subaru dealer. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 12:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896/43 "2026-06-28T12:50:31Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > My Subaru Outback does not ride like a tractor Every magazine review of Subarus that I’ve ever read has commented on their excellent ride quality. My 2011 Outback had an excellent ride quality, as does my brother’s 2020 Outback and my friend’s 2021 Forester. The 2026 complete redesign of the Outback could have led to worse ride quality, but CR’s comments indicate that the new Outback still has excellent ride quality: _The Outback has been renowned for its impressive ride, which manages bumps well on- and off-road. That trait continues, with the latest Outback exhibiting good absorption and body control. The 19-inch wheels and tires fitted on the XT trim may add a hint of firmness, as noted by some drivers. Outbacks with the 180-hp engine wear 17- or 18-inch wheels, whose taller sidewall may bring some softness._ [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-widowed-soccer-grandma-choose-a-car/205896.md?page=3)