Most Reliable Used Cars For Senior Drivers

A senior driver, reaching a certain age, usually changes his automotive preferences. The performance or the attractive body line are losing importance. Everyday usability begins to count, i.e. how to get in and out of it, how much space it offers overhead, and whether the service is performed without too much weirdness. The equipment level goes to the background, even better if it is limited to an acceptable minimum – something that is not in the car will not break.

Best Used Cars For Seniors

When it comes to engines, reliability and / or the availability of spare parts stand out above performance. Older people are not on their way with searching for rare and expensive components for unusual cars, so the ideal car for a senior citizen should have an uncomplicated drive engine, preferably without such innovations as a dual-mass flywheel, turbocharging or a particulate filter. A welcome convenience is the possibility of a possible LPG supply, although most probably few senior drivers will decide to take such a step: they rarely drive more than 15,000 km.

Best Used Cars For Senior Drivers

  • Chevrolet Aveo For Seniors
  • Dacia Sandero For Seniors
  • Fiat Panda For Seniors
  • Hyundai ix20 For Seniors
  • Mitsubishi ASX For Seniors
  • Opel Meriva B For Seniors
  • Peugeot 301 For Seniors
  • Skoda Fabia For Seniors
  • Toyota Corolla For Seniors
  • Volkswagen Golf Plus For Seniors

Chevrolet Aveo

The car has never conquered our market, but it has everything that the senior “behind the wheel” will appreciate: simple and cheap to repair suspension, low-powered engines that accept cooperation with the gas system, and an unobtrusive, subdued design. Also inside, a long-term driver should find himself almost immediately.

The downside, although not very significant, is the lack of choice of any diesel engine. In most small Chevrolets, the old age can be seen from the condition of the paint coating, and the mileage – from the broken suspension elements. Fortunately, bringing the car to a very good mechanical condition will not consume a lot of cash.

  • Years of production: 2003-2011
  • Prices: From $ 1,300 – $ 4,500
  • Recommended engine: 1.4 16V
  • Pros: Simple design, cheap spare parts, three body versions
  • Cons: Poor equipment, high fuel consumption

Dacia Sandero

A separate name can be confusing: Sandero is actually a Logan hatchback. The car measures 4 meters and is available only in the 5-door specification. For a representative of the city class, the spaciousness inside looks decent, while visiting a supermarket, a 320-liter luggage compartment will certainly be useful. People living outside the city will appreciate the considerable ground clearance (additionally increased in the off-road Sandero Stepway – in the photos) and the suspension that tolerates road unevenness.

As in the Aveo, there is no need to count on fireworks in the equipment. The budgetary nature of the car is also visible in the quality of workmanship and anti-corrosion protection (puffs near the chassis). All Sandero engines – 1.4 / 1.6 MPI and 1.2 16V – were also offered withfactory gas installation. Dacia also offered 1.5 dCi diesels with 68-88 hp. Due to their inefficient nature, the risk of problems with the bearings is lower than on Renault models of similar years.

  • Years of production: 2008-2012
  • Prices: From $2,200 – $ 5,200
  • Recommended engine: 1.2 16V
  • Pros: Space inside, spacious trunk, a large selection of engines (including diesels)
  • Cons: Raw finish, average performance, low equipment level

Fiat Panda

Compared to other cheap models, such as the Fiat Seicento, the Panda is distinguished by a functional, five-door body. Seniors will appreciate the comfortable getting into the high-positioned seats and the very good all-round visibility. Fiat has protected the Panda well against corrosion : this “devours” the exhaust system to the greatest extent. Predictable operation will be ensured by gasoline engines: known from Seicento 1.1 and 60 HP 1.2.

We recommend the latter because it costs the same, and is more popular and noticeably quicker. Possible consumption of engine oilyou just have to accept. Panda’s non-durable elements also include alternators and front wishbones. Let’s look for cars with body-colored bumpers – usually you can count on electric windshields or power steering.

  • Years of production: 2003-2012
  • Prices: From $ 1,100 – $ 4,300
  • Recommended engine: 1.2 8V
  • Pros: Convenience in the city, 5-door body, simple gasoline engines
  • Cons: Problems with 1.3 M-Jet (DPF) diesel engines, small luggage compartment, surprising lack of equipment

Hyundai ix20

The huge price range is due to the recent discontinuation of the production of two twin microvans – the Hyundai ix20 and the Kia Vengi. The dealerships still have brand new copies offered at attractive discounts. This model has already made itself comfortable on the secondary market. It wins customers with its above-average spacious interior (length is only 407 cm!) And the engine range without the so-called black sheep.

The 1.6 engine (petrol MPI and diesel CRDi) are particularly worth mentioning for combining affordable performance with negligible failure rate. Long driving experience may be disturbed only by acceptable side visibility. Average mute – also, although it does not matter much in city driving. Before buying, it is worth checking the operation of power steering, which is important for this group of drivers.

  • Years of production: 2009-2019
  • Prices: From $ 5,300 – $ 19,800
  • Recommended engine: 1.6 MPI
  • Pros: Record – breaking spaciousness, good driving characteristics, successful engines
  • Cons: Still high prices, average visibility, non-durable suspension

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi ASX perfectly connects generations: young customers will like the version presented this year after the third (!) Facelift, older ones – calmly styled ASX from the beginning of production. Seniors should like the high driving position, and in the compact Mitsubishi SUV you can count on interesting equipment that facilitates everyday life (air conditioning, rear view camera, basic safety systems).

The naturally aspirated 1.6 engine remains an absolute hit : if there is no LPG, its failure rate is virtually zero. 117 HP is more than enough to drive this 4.3-meter long SUV. We do not advise you to buy diesel versions because spare parts are more expensive than those of European competitorswhich need to be replaced or regenerated over time ( DPF filter, dual mass flywheel, injectors ).

  • In production: from 2010.
  • Prices: From $ 7,400 – $ 22,000
  • Recommended engine: 1.6 MIVEC
  • Pros: Spacious interior, low failure rate of 1.6 version, high overall durability
  • Cons: average cooperation with LPG, exorbitant prices, mishaps in interior finishing

Opel Meriva B

Opel Meriva of the second generation became famous for its rear doors that open upstream. This solution makes it easier to take places on the couch, but access to the driver’s seat also turns out to be affordable. The consistent “sticking to” by Opel to the idea of ​​ubiquitous buttons on the cockpit should appeal to older drivers who appreciate the intuitive control of the car’s functions.

For everyday driving, they should be satisfied with the 100 HP 1.4 engine, which opens the range, but it is worth mentioning that it was also available in turbo versions (120 and 140 HP). All of them successfully tolerate gas installations. Occasional operation on the road, however, is not suitable for diesels equipped with a particulate filterespecially 1.3 CDTI. Regardless of the type of engine, Meriva “like” to burst coolant reservoirs and corrode exhausts.

  • Years of production: 2010-2017
  • Prices: From $ 4,300 – $ 11,400
  • Recommended engine: 1.4
  • Pros: Spacious interior with numerous arrangement options, refined 1.4 / 1.4 T engines, easy access to parts
  • Cons: Risk of diesel failure, limited visibility

Peugeot 301

The Peugeot 301, along with its twin Citroen C-Elysee, fought from the very beginning for customers expecting a “piece” of the car at a reasonably calculated price. Therefore, he is troubled by the typical complexes of budget cars: the interior is made of worse materials than in other Peugeot cars, and under the hoods we find not very dynamic engines.

It is worth recommending the most powerful 1.6 VTi, also sold with a dealer-fitted gas system. Unfortunately, it is less popular than the sluggish 1.2 VTi, only 72 HP. Even harder to buy a Peugeot 301 1.5 / 1.6 HDi. If we accept the above disadvantages, we get a really large car (442 cm long and 175 cm wide) with506 liter luggage compartment. Occasional glitches include hard gear selection, a leaking cooling system, or “pop-up” electronic errors.

  • In production: from 2012.
  • Prices: From $ 4,300 – $ 11,900
  • Recommended engine: 1.6 VTi
  • Pros: Roomy trunk, easy operation of the cockpit, young age of construction
  • Cons: Savings in finishing, poor performance of popular varieties, limited supply of used cars

Skoda Fabia

There is also a flip side to this: Fabias liked companies that bought poorly equipped versions and used them in fleets. Skoda installed many engines in its city model, but only the 1.4 and 1.6 gasoline naturally aspirated engines deserve recognition ( the timing chain is defective in the 1.2 HTP and TSI ).

However, when considering the Fabia with diesel, it is worth considering the 1.6 TDI introduced after the facelift. The small Skoda undoubtedly scores points with the presence of a station wagon, it also provides good travel comfort in high seats. As befits the policy of the VAG concern, finishing materials differ from those in Volkswagen Polo, of course to the disadvantage of Skoda.

  • Years of production: 2006-2014
  • Prices: From $ 2,200 – $ 7,700
  • Recommended engine: 1.4 MPI
  • Pros: Interesting styling, spacious (for this class) interior, great popularity in advertisements
  • Cons: Advantage of not recommended engines (1.2 HTP / TSI), low quality of the market offer, it is difficult to find affordable equipment

Toyota Corolla

An almost sure way for stress-free operation – a used Corolla with a 1.4 or 1.6 gasoline engine, as well as a diesel, economical 1.4 D-4D, of course with a proven history of reliable service. Such a car will travel 300,000 km without fear or even more without too much mechanical intervention (except fluid changes ).

Most likely, we will have to replace the brake discs or pads or remove the corrosion that appears on the thresholds. You also have to accept the badly damaged interior of most of the models and the low quality of the door seals. Corolla offers a complete set of body versions – 3d / 5d hatchback, sedan and station wagon, as well as the Verso minivan.

  • Years of production: 2001-2007
  • Prices: From $ 1,600 – $ 5,3006-20
  • Recommended engine: 1.4 VVT-i
  • Pros: High mechanical durability, a large selection of body versions
  • Cons: Poor condition of many cars, limited transport capacity

Volkswagen Golf Plus

The Golf Plus measures exactly the same as the Golf V, i.e. 420 cm. However, its height increased by 10 cm, and the seats were placed 7.5 cm higher (the couch – 8.5 cm) compared to the standard model. For this reason, the elevated Golf is an ideal proposition for an senior driver. By the way, it gets an almost 400-liter trunk, which can be increased or decreased by moving the couch.

Those who expect reliability have little room for maneuver: either non- turbo gasoline engines (1.4, 1.6) or newer common rail turbo diesel ( 1.6 TDI, 2.0 TDI ), possibly 1.9 TDI beyond the BXE version. Experienced drivers are unlikely to be interested in the DSG variant. And rightly so, because after many years it is an unnecessary generator of additional costs.

  • Years of production: 2005-2014
  • Prices: From $ 2, 700 – $ 9,500
  • Recommended engine: 1.6 8V
  • Pros: Comfortable getting in and out, a large trunk, great availability of spare parts
  • Cons: some engines are emergency, huge mileage of used cars

Conclusion

We have prepared a list of 10 best used cars for senior drivers. We have selected several models that can be purchased for up to four figures, as well as more modern designs with modern equipment. All of them combine practical values ​​with a relatively predictable mode of operation.

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