# Which car for a senior? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** honda\ **Created:** [February 2, 2020, 5:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761 "2020-02-02T05:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![KathrynK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kathrynk/32/19375_2.png) [@KathrynK](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KathrynK)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/61 "2020-02-09T13:54:51Z")
šŸ¤£ šŸ¤£ šŸ¤£ šŸ˜‚ šŸ¤£ šŸ¤£ šŸ¤£ I want one of those bumper thingies. Why did they ever stop making steel bumpers? ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 5:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/62 "2020-02-09T17:10:15Z")
> [@KathrynK](#): > > From the explanations Iā€™ve received from medical professionals, I attribute this back problem to a large degree as a result of my age. I didnā€™t have this for most of my life, but through no fault of my own, have a degenerative back condition that not everyone has. And having led an active life, the discs in my back are wearing out. > > And I can get in and out of any car, including my ground-hugging roadster. But now I have more trouble doing the same, and it exacerbates my pain. Also, many seniors are on fixed incomes; so that in the title implies that I might be on a restrictive budget. > > I am sorry you find my choice of words, though it couldā€™ve been more exacting, offensive. But sometimes I just think that political correctness is carried too far. Well, Iā€™m probably not as old as you are, Iā€™m just a youngster at 71. Iā€™ve got age related problems, as Iā€™ve already mentioned, I have that _ā€œdegenerative back conditionā€_ you mention (actually, back and neck, diagnosed decades ago) and arthritis of one knee, and typical aging pain of hips. Iā€™ve got my share of aches and pains and it takes me a couple of minutes to become completely mobile in the morning. However, I am a firm subscriber to the belief that one must use it or lose it. As for pains, I tell myself to _ā€œsuck it up, Sunshine!ā€_). I do not use or take any medications. Years ago I lost any extra weight, turned vegetarian, and exercise. For example, I do 80 squats holding 15 lb. dumbbells, every other day, push-ups, sit-ups (120 of them, holding 10 lbs. to chest.) and assorted presses and curls, too. My wife does Aqua Aerobics and I sometimes go to yoga with her. I can do a kip-up getting up from the floor. I ride bicycles daily (15 to 35 miles) and play golf nearly every day (walking, no cart) with my wife and guys (some in their upper 70s and eighties). These people feel the same way and all agree that it makes us feel younger and although at times is painful, the benefits outweigh any discomfort. > [@KathrynK](#): > > However, as Iā€™m getting treatment for my back pain, my physical therapist recommends that I get a car with some more height than the Honda Accord. What does your therapist do? Does she have you exercising? My daughter is 3 months short of completing a Doctorā€™s degree in P.T. and interns in clinics and she wishes more of her clients did what I do. She thinks Iā€™m awesome, but I am her dad. šŸ˜ I try and make no accommodations for myself. I drive whatever I drove before and do just about anything Iā€™ve done before (I did stop carrying my golf clubs, choosing to push them and the 5Ks and 10Ks are often just too painful). I believe that backing off and giving in to aging will only serve to accelerate the process, but thatā€™s just my opinion. It could become a slippery slope. When the going gets tough, the tough get goingā€¦ just sayingā€¦ _ **CSA** _ šŸŒ“ šŸ•¶ šŸŒ“ ---
**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:** [February 9, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/63 "2020-02-09T17:15:46Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/7/e7bfad8dad52f39075dd57cae110f03759ca461e.jpeg) Spreading it on a bit thick AGAIN, are we . . . ?! šŸ¤” ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/64 "2020-02-09T17:37:27Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > Spreading it on a bit thick AGAIN, are we . . . ?! šŸ¤” Nope, just being truthful and offering an alternate opinion to shopping for a different car, trying to be helpful. This has worked so well for me that my wife has given up things she loved (like that unnecessary fat in the photo above) and is eating better and exercising much more, imitating what works for me. It is absolutely amazing how well it makes one feelā€¦ almost giddy. Iā€™m sorry if Iā€™ve offended anybody! _ **CSA** _ šŸŒ“ šŸ•¶ šŸŒ“ ---
**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:** [February 9, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/65 "2020-02-09T17:53:53Z")
> [@common\_sense\_answer](#): > > Iā€™m sorry if Iā€™ve offended anybody! You havenā€™t offended anybody But those particular comments you make can be very tiring to read ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/f/cfda1ab20dd71007c531d2f7ca1a461a33382e3e.jpeg) I hope you can laugh at this . . . and at yourself ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/66 "2020-02-09T17:55:56Z")
@KathrynK. I have you beat on age related problems. When I pick up my prescription at the pharmacy, the pharmacist asks for my date of birth. When I reply ā€œ12-21-41ā€, the pharmacist responds ā€œThatā€™s 1841 isnā€™t it?ā€. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/67 "2020-02-09T18:17:04Z")
> [@Triedaq](#): > > Thatā€™s 1841 isnā€™t it? Do you thank him for subtracting 100 years from your age? šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/68 "2020-02-09T20:58:04Z")
Or the quintessential senior car, a late 80ā€™s Crown Vic or grand Marquis. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/69 "2020-02-09T21:22:49Z")
> [@KathrynK](#): > > how much extra money to pull out of savings If you buy new why not just go with a 0% interest if offered? ---
**Author:** ![KathrynK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kathrynk/32/19375_2.png) [@KathrynK](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KathrynK)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/70 "2020-02-10T07:54:07Z")
> [@texases](#): > > A Kia Soul might also meet your needs, or a Scion Xb Thanks; I believe these 2 were mentioned in the original letter I referenced. ---
**Author:** ![KathrynK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kathrynk/32/19375_2.png) [@KathrynK](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KathrynK)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 8:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/71 "2020-02-10T08:01:42Z")
> [@old\_mopar\_guy](#): > > late 80ā€™s Crown Vic or grand Marquis. Sorry, but Iā€™ve got _standards!!_ Yuck, definitely not my cup o teaā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![KathrynK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kathrynk/32/19375_2.png) [@KathrynK](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KathrynK)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 8:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/72 "2020-02-10T08:04:30Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > If you buy new why not just go with a 0% interest if offered? Sounds good, except: ā€¢ have heard itā€™s really NOT 0% so am very wary (if you can explain, Iā€™d like to understand) ā€¢ monthly expenses canā€™t be increased, hence, just want to take the savings hit ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 8:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/73 "2020-02-10T08:31:30Z")
> [@KathrynK](#): > > monthly expenses canā€™t be increased, hence, just want to take the savings hit 0% interest is just that, you may make minimal interest on a savings account so the interest is money in the bank while not taking a hit on the savings account. Sure you may have to drain the savings to make the payments but the money will remain there if needed at no cost, my take, waiting for other opinions. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 10:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/74 "2020-02-10T10:50:55Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > Sure you may have to drain the savings to make the payments but the money will remain there if needed at no cost, my take, waiting for other opinions. My take I stopped financing anything and making payments decades ago. Folks nearing retirement or in retirement shouldnā€™t have any debt. The earlier one can become debt free, the better. The small amount of interest one gets on savings, for the short time car payments would run, isnā€™t worth being in debt to anybody or any entity. And if somebody has to drain nearly all their savings to buy a car then they probably canā€™t afford and shouldnā€™t be making the purchase in the first place. This thinking has served me well. _ **CSA** _ šŸŒ“ šŸ•¶ šŸŒ“ ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2020, 12:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/75 "2020-02-10T12:45:21Z")
> [@KathrynK](#): > > have heard itā€™s really NOT 0% so am very wary (if you can explain, Iā€™d like to understand) Itā€™s not really 0% unless you have a VERY high FICO score. There are people who qualify for 0% financing, but the majority of buyers would probably not qualify. ---
**Author:** ![RobinLong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/439d5e/32.png) [@RobinLong](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RobinLong)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 7:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/76 "2020-02-13T07:53:12Z")
My mom loves her KIA Soul with the ease of entry and exiting the vehicle being first on her list of pros. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/77 "2020-02-13T11:04:10Z")
> [@RobinLong](#): > > My mom loves her KIA Soul with the ease of entry and exiting the vehicle being first on her list of pros. Okay, Iā€™ll biteā€¦ I have to ask if **ā€œMomā€** is a ā€œsenior,ā€ because this discussion is about buying a car for a ā€œseniorā€, which implies that being a senior automatically changes car choices somehow, which it doesnā€™t. Lots of people, ā€œseniorsā€ and ā€œyoungstersā€ and others in between, love their KIA Souls Iā€™m sure and some love the feature you had described. Personally, I would feel like I was driving a refrigerator if I owned one. I _would_ qualify as a ā€œseniorā€ and that feature is not even on my radar of preferences in car purchases. In fact, and this is important, I try very hard at not making things too cushy or easier. I bring this up because I feel it is an important part of this discussion. There are medically sound reasons for my beliefs and my physical therapist daughter agrees with my life style decisions. _ **CSA** _ šŸŒ“ šŸ•¶šŸŒ“ ---
**Author:** ![cdaquila](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cdaquila/32/18089_2.png) [@cdaquila](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cdaquila)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 11:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/78 "2020-02-13T11:16:47Z")
Hi @common_sense_answer I donā€™t think anyone is challenging your reasons, and we are happy for you and wish you continued good health. These questions asking about other seniors arenā€™t questioning the choices you make for your particular circumstances. Statistically speaking, stuff like musculoskeletal conditions start to happen as oneā€™s age increases. Youā€™re doing well; why donā€™t we offer assistance as we can for the people posting with the facts offered? šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/79 "2020-02-13T12:03:29Z")
> [@cdaquila](#): > > Statistically speaking, stuff like musculoskeletal conditions start to happen as oneā€™s age increases. **I certainly know about that!** Iā€™ve been going through that process for decades now, actually diagnosed decades ago. Thatā€™s just the point. By making accommodations that make things easier one can actually make things worse. I believe that by now Iā€™d have trouble walking or even riding in a car if I had done that. My comments are made as a public service announcement and to make folks reconsider ā€œsenior citizenā€ driven choices. My daughter recently sent a medical study indicating that the mind set one has while aging (thinking oneself is old) can be a major factor in the onset of dementia! Granted, some older folks (and younger folks too) have disabilities that actually limit things they can do. Older folks should certainly have their doctor or physical therapist give them a green light to exert themselves or exercise, of course. Tough love At any rate, it is my sincere belief that becoming a ā€œseniorā€ should not automatically begin to limit oneā€™s choices. In fact, I believe one should resist that thinking for their own well being. _ **CSA** _ šŸŒ“ šŸ•¶ šŸŒ“ ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761/80 "2020-02-13T12:39:35Z")
For cryinā€™ out loud CSA, we get it! [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761.md?page=3) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-car-for-a-senior/157761.md?page=5)