My mom is 70, and her 95 Honda Civic is due for a replacement. Yesterday, we went looking at cars. She looked at a new Civic, a Corolla, and a Subaru Impreza. I could not, however, get her to go look at a Mini.

"They're kids cars", she proclaimed.

She's getting older, and does not want a big car. She also doesn't have need for a lot of hauling space. I think a Mini (with the CVT) would be the perfect car for her, but she's stuck on the traditional sedans.

I wish I could find a way to talk some sense into her. There's nothing wrong with any of the other cars she's looking at, but they're no Mini!

 

i have a 06 civic EX AT 5sp as my commuter. it's a great car for
day to day use and i think it actually looks pretty good too.

the telescopic steering wheel with the comfy seats make the
Civic a very comfy car for driving around town. plus the HUGE
speedo in the cluster is extremely easy to see. it's a civic
more comparable to the last Accord imho interms of size,
quality, and ride comfort.

 

If she doesn't want a Mini, then don't try to persuade her to get one. At 70, if she doesn't like it, she'll never like it.

 

Tell here the Queen of england owned an original Mini (not MINI).

But, I guess if she doen't want one don't force her.

 

I don't know...you all know what a MINI test drive does to a person!

 

What do you mean? ;-)

By the way, anyone see another Mini accessory store near here?

I'd suggest what she's already driven. Great cars.

 

yep, i bought mine the next day.

 

She likes the way the 2-dr looks, but she hits her head on the roof when she gets in. She doesn't like the way the 4-dr looks, especially the back, but she manages to get in without hitting her head.



With her, she'll drive wherever you stick the wheel. In... out... doesn't make a difference. I tried to get her to tell me where the wheel was most comfy in the Civic, but she told me she couldn't tell the difference.

The speedo is a problem because she doesn't understand what a tach is, so she kept going on and on about how the two speedos didn't match (the digital one and the tach). That part was really confusing for her.

But she does like the way the Civic drives. Heck, she likes the way they all drive, heh.

 

Sounds like she has to decide between a "nice looking" car and a headache, or an "ugly looking" car and no headaches.

 

Tell her if she doesn't like the car she has she can either walk or buy her own, your way to nice

 

Accord.

 

I saw a lady the other day who was AT LEAST 70 and she was driving a gold MINI. It was a perfect match!

 

She might really like a Toyota Corolla or a Matrix.

 

Kinda hard to tell her that when she's the one paying for it.


Yeah, so far she likes the Corolla, but I think she likes the Subaru best of all three. I forgot to take her to look at Mazdas though. The 3s are nice.

 

Have her try the little Subie or Honda sport-utes (Forester, CR-V). My mom-in-law lists a great characteristic as "a car that I don't fall down into" (seat at chair height).

 

Dixon---

Meaning that...ahem....people that aren't looking for a Mini (THIS WAS ME! And many others too) are SOLD the minute they test drive. Addiction takes hold and doesn't let go.

 

Tell her it will make her feel young again!!!

 

One thing that older people don't like is sitting too low. Sometimes it makes it harder for them to get in and out of a car. My mom is 82 and she was going to get a MINI but would never fully "commit" even though she really likes them, so instead we bought her a RAV4 which she absolutely loves! She likes sitting higher and I think it's easier on her joints. It's a nice car too!

 

That's what I was referring to in post #15 - once folks reach a certain level of inflexibility they prefer to slide over into a car, rather than fall down into it.

My post #6 referencing what a mini test drive does was meant to convey the mini owners incessant thirst for accessorizing as soon as they lay eyes on the car!

 

Just tell her to try it and it will make her feel young again. I'm 66 and I have an 03 MCS with over 96,000 on it and I love it.

Earl

 

Are you implying that i have an ugly car?

 

Tell her she can get the chrono pack or the NAV and have the Spedo back behind the steering wheel.

 

how about a xB? those are very easy to get in and out. plus the
rear seat leg room is huge!

 

after reading this thread, i think the conclusion is to get her a Saturn.

 

How about a Hyundai Accent??