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Best Vehicle for Elderly/Limited Mobility Drivers

68 messages,  Last post on Aug 08, 2012 at 7:13 PM

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#1 of 68 Vehicle for Stiff-legged Elderly Parents by jsylvester

Aug 28, 2003 (8:50 pm)

My mother has had both knees replaced, and my 80 year old father is about to have his knee replaced as well. They have a 1993 Taurus that is just too difficult for them to get in and out of.
 
So, what they are looking for is something that has tons of front leg room, and the seat and roof is of the correct height that entry and exit is as easy as possible. The want something a little smaller than a Gran Marquis, and the Taurus is not big enough.
 
My father has always owned Ford's since 1950, but he would consider a GM or Chrysler. They do not find it easy to get into my brother's 98 Gran Voyager, but I'm thinking something like a LeSabre, Impala, or perhaps a "taller" vehicle like an Escape or a PT Cruiser. I have to say they both perfer simply styled vehicles, and image is meaningless to them.
 
Any suggestions, as I assume this is a common issue for elderly drivers?

#2 of 68 Segway? by lancerfixer

Aug 29, 2003 (5:46 am)

#3 of 68 by kirstie_h HOST

Aug 29, 2003 (5:54 am)

jsylvester, my grandmother, late 80's, has similar mobility problems. She lives with my aunt & uncle and does not drive herself, but they recently took her shopping with them when they bought a vehicle because she could not get in and out of a sedan or SUV without a lot of help. They ended up with a PT Cruiser (Turbo), and it has worked out perfectly. Though the car is tall-ish, it's low to the ground and spacious in the front.
 
I have a Chrysler van, and it has a remote-operated rear liftgate feature. If they have this on the PT, that could be a bonus if they ever need to stow walkers. The back seats fold down too. Some models do come with the interior passenger entry/exit assist handles.
 
Bonus: for an extra $500, they can get flames on the sides
 
I'm sure you'll get additional opinions from those who have had experience with other vehicles.
 
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

#4 of 68 In all seriousness, though, by lancerfixer

Aug 29, 2003 (6:02 am)

...what about a Windstar or other mini-van? They seem to have about the right step-in height for many elderly or people with medical conditions. My wife's aunt has MS, and finds that getting in and out of a mini-van or SUV much easier than a regular car.

#5 of 68 I too have heard form older drivers that PT Cruisers by janz

Aug 29, 2003 (7:10 am)

are VERY comfortable and easy go get into. I'd stay away from an SUV-type, unless it's a a crossover or maybe a Forrester. Many traditional platform SUV's have a high step-up to get in.
 
Besides, PT is shorter than a minivan, possibly easier to maneuever.

#6 of 68 jsylvester by nonjth13

Aug 29, 2003 (7:41 am)

Look At a Toyota Avalon. Lots of interior room, relatively small exterior, you sit up high which makes entry and exit easier and you get 30mpg on the highway. Mine is 2 years old and is the preferred car over the Audi for family trips. I have two bad knees which need replacement so I know how difficult some cars are to get in and out of.

#7 of 68 by audia8q

Aug 29, 2003 (9:08 am)

Gran Marquis and the LeSabre are the undisputed champs when it comes to satisfaction of senior buyers. The Town Car and Avalon also might work, but the door opening on the mercury/buick/lincoln is a bit bigger than the Avalon...The mini-van suggestion could be good also, but traditionally they dont have the front seat "stretch out" room that the full size sedans offer

#8 of 68 Lexus RX by JPham

Aug 29, 2003 (2:55 pm)

We just sold an 80-yo gentleman with a bad back
an RX330 which he just loved.

#9 of 68 I have elderly parents... by isellhondas

Aug 30, 2003 (5:04 pm)

They have no trouble getting into our CRV. It's high enough they don't have to stoop to get it.

#10 of 68 PT Cruiser or Matrix by crkeehn

Aug 31, 2003 (3:11 am)

I'm not 80 yet, but truly appreciated my PT
Cruiser this Spring when I was dealing with a broken ankle. The doors open widely, the seats (at least the front seats) are at chair level so they are easier to get in and out of. Interestingly enough, during one of my visits to the orthopoedic surgeon, I was waiting for my wife to pull up in her PT when another PT pulled up to the entryway and another of my doctor's patients climbed in. We had a nice chat while waiting for my wife.
 
One of the people in my church has bad knees and a Toyota Matrix. While I was on crutches, she did some ferrying me about. My only complaint about the Matrix are that the seats are lower, a little more difficult to get in and out of. The doors open widely. Either would be a good choice.
 
I was visiting my dad a week or so ago. He rode for the first time in my PT Cruiser. He has a very bad back, he commented on how comfortable the Cruiser was and how easy to get in and out of.

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