Best Used Cars for Older Drivers

Best Used Cars for Older Drivers

Eric Peters

Buying a used car instead of a new one can save you thousands of
dollars up front. In addition, new cars depreciate as much as 20% in
their first year. Younger drivers often buy used cars for their looks
or performance. Older drivers do, too -- but they often care more
about practical issues, such as whether the car is safe, has
comfortable seats and a smooth ride, and whether it’s easy to drive,
park and get into and out of. And just about everyone, these days,
cares about gas mileage.

Which used cars are likely to be of special interest to older drivers?
* Here are some of the best on the market...

SUBCOMPACTS/COMPACTS

Toyota Corolla (2002–2007). The Corolla has many things going for it
that will appeal to older drivers in need of a high-value small sedan.
Though technically a “compact,” the Corolla is actually fairly large
relative to the new class of ultracompacts, such as the Toyota Yaris,
Honda Fit and Nissan Versa.

The Corolla has good head, leg and shoulder room for both front and
rear-seat occupants. Also, it doesn’t have a steeply angled windshield/
roof (as on some other models of compacts) that can make cars hard for
people with limited mobility to get into and out of.

The Corolla has a fairly soft suspension relative to some of the more
sport-oriented models in this category, such as the Honda Civic. The
Corolla has performed very well in government crash testing, and later
models will usually be equipped with safety features, such as antilock
brakes, dual front air bags -- and even side-impact air bags on newer
versions.

Expect to pay: $5,000 to $18,000.

Chrysler PT Cruiser (2002–2007). This retro-themed, “all-purpose” car
was hugely popular when first introduced, not only because of its
nostalgic, custom hot rod styling but also because of its versatility.
Its tall roofline and versatile interior allow it to efficiently carry
cargo as well as people. It is much more maneuverable and less
expensive to buy than a minivan, and it is also easier on gas, thanks
to its economical four-cylinder engine (versus the larger, thirstier
V-6s usually found in minivans).

PT Cruisers are also suitable for people with physical handicaps
because they can be readily modified for both wheelchair access and
hand controls. These vehicles have an easily accessed and roomy cargo
area that makes them ideal for antiquing as well as longer road trips
to visit family/vacation spots -- or for bringing along pets. Later
models offer the option of a convertible top, too. While the PT
Cruiser is not especially refined, major systems are durable, and
because they were produced in very large numbers, great deals can be
had on lightly used models.

Expect to pay: $5,500 to $15,500.

MIDSIZE CARS

Buick LaCrosse (2005–2007). The LaCrosse is one of the “new” Buicks
designed to appeal to younger buyers. It retains the traditional Buick
characteristics of a plush and quiet ride, roomy interior and upscale
but not ostentatious styling. This car can seat as many as six
passengers (depending on whether the car has bench or bucket seats),
comes standard with a smooth and powerful V-6 engine and is much more
refined and “finished” overall than the Buick Century and Regal sedans
it replaced. Even the older 2005 and 2006 models are still very
current in terms of features and equipment, yet prices for slightly
used models only a year or two old are extremely reasonable.

Expect to pay: $12,000 to $18,500.

Ford Five Hundred (2005–2007). Released as a new model in 2005, the
Five Hundred is one of the most underrated midsize sedans on the
market. It offers a standard V-6 engine and is available in all-wheel-
drive, yet can be bought used for about what you would pay to drive a
new front-wheel-drive economy compact.

Why is it such a great deal? When the Five Hundred was introduced, its
plain styling and moderate acceleration resulted in slower-than-
anticipated sales. Ford hurried a restyled version -- with a larger,
more powerful (and fuel thirsty) V-6 -- into production last year and
christened it the reborn Taurus. But the Five Hundred (and its Mercury
twin, the Montego) are nonetheless just what the doctor ordered if the
prescription is a great deal on a quiet, roomy and very comfortable
five-passenger sedan.

Expect to pay: $12,000 to $20,000.

LARGE CARS

Toyota Avalon (2000–2007). The Avalon is Toyota’s largest passenger
car. Compared with large American rear-drive cars, such as the
Chrysler 300, it offers as much (or more) interior volume, but its
front-wheel-drive layout means it has better traction in wet and snowy
conditions.

The Avalon also has some of the highest customer satisfaction scores
of any car on the market, as well as a reputation for high quality and
reliability. Its large size also means that it’s a very safe car in
terms of crashworthiness, yet it is easy to drive, with good
visibility thanks to large windows and a rather high driver’s seat.
Newer models may be equipped with a rearview backup camera, as well as
side impact air bags and traction/stability control. The standard V-6
engine is one of the most powerful of its type available in this price/
class.

Expect to pay: $7,000 to $25,000.

Mercury Grand Marquis (2002–2007). The Grand Marquis (and its slightly
more spartan twin, the Ford Crown Victoria) are the last of the
traditionally built full-size American sedans. These vehicles will be
very familiar in layout to older drivers, who grew up with a roomy
“big car” feel, rear-wheel-drive and V-8 engines, all three of which
are standard Marquis features. The 4.6 liter V-8 engine provides easy
power without having to mash the gas pedal, while the cavernous
interior can seat six adults comfortably. There is a huge (21-cubic-
foot) trunk, too. The rear-drive layout and heavy-duty frame allow
this vehicle to comfortably pull a trailer. The car is simple and
rugged and provides long service life and low-cost maintenance. The
Marquis is exceptionally safe in a crash due in part to its size and
mass. You would have to buy a much more expensive used car (such as
Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5-Series) to find a car that scores as
high on crash tests. The Marquis costs tens of thousands less when new
and half to a third as much as those European cars when purchased
used.

Expect to pay: $7,000 to $20,000.

PRICING AND MILEAGE

The wide range given for pricing in this article takes into account
that used car prices can vary significantly, even when comparing cars
of the same make, model and year, due to such factors as condition,
mileage and equipment.

Check sources such as the NADA Guides (www.nadaguides.com

) and Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com

) used-car pricing guides to get a more accurate idea of the value of
a specific used car, with specific mileage, features and so on.

Fuel economy will vary by manufacturer, model and year as well as
different engine and transmission options. You can check the gas
mileage for city and highway driving for a particular car by visiting
the Environmental Protection Agency’s site at www.fueleconomy.gov

.. Click on “Find and Compare Cars.”

*I have not gone farther back than about five model years, due to
mileage and wear-and-tear issues. The newer a used car is and the
lower its mileage, the more likely it will be that at least a portion
of its original new car warranty will still be in effect. This
includes either bumper-to-bumper coverage for everything except normal
wear and tear or longer-term powertrain coverage.

Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Eric Peters, an automotive columnist
based in Washington, DC, www.ericpetersautos.com

, and author of Automotive Atrocities! The Cars We Love to Hate

(Motorbooks).