Here's something to make you think.

 

My mum has only driven 3 cars in her 63 years of holding a licence. 

 

1960 Ford Consul Classic (for about 5 years)

1970 Fiat 600d (for just a couple of years)

1986 Skoda Estelle 130 (1999 to present). This is the only one she has owned. She does love driving so this got me thinking. What cars (theoretically) should she work through to get up to latest driving technology. She is still on manual choke and fuel priming before starting remember! 

 

Here's my list.

 

1. Ford Escort Mk.4. To get used to front wheel drive and fuel injection. 

2. Vauxhall Astra Mk.5 to get used to more modern controls, thicker pillars and power steering. 

3. Mk.5 Honda CR-V to get used to larger size and infotainment screen use.

4. Tesla Model Y performance. 

 

She is 100% happy with her reliable little Estelle but what would your choices be to get someone up to current motoring tech who is only used to driving an old school Skoda?

My choice would be too leave her where she is happy.

 

I don't see much that is desirable in all the features that you quote.

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

My choice would be too leave her where she is happy.

 

I don't see much that is desirable in all the features that you quote.

Yes 100% agree its staying with her for sure. Its her loyal companion on the road. Just a thought as she parked up in Sainsbury's amongst all the cars that were nothing like her Estelle. Had me thinking. 

As above, best leaving her with what she's got, but a front engined move "forwards" could be something like a Mk2/3 Astra? Bit more modern (ish), has some tech etc, but not one of these cars that's like the control panel for a spaceship inside. 

 

Again, though, as you know, if it ain't broke...

She would probably appreciate the simplicity, reliability and relative finesse of a first generation Felicia.

51 minutes ago, J.R. said:

She would probably appreciate the simplicity, reliability and relative finesse of a first generation Felicia.

I imagine his mum being happy in one of these, but probably because I have quite happy memories of one.

Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz, maybe a Suzuki Swift.    WTF with a Tesla?   

Is she good with touch screens using her left hand.     A Vauxhall Corsa Electric is much cheapness if she can plug the car in to charge.  or just a Corsa ICE. 

3 hours ago, EnterName said:

I imagine his mum being happy in one of these, but probably because I have quite happy memories of one.

 

Spot on, my father bought one of the very first 900cc Polos new in 1978 for his retirement and I always maintained it for him, after my Bimbo stepmother convinced (nagged) him to PX it for a Metro 😒 (I know, I know!) he soon realised the error and got the later Polo but the boot backed version which they held onto till his death.

 

When I fell from high to skid row I bought a real Schnorrer of a 78 Polo like my fathers for £75, it had been abused and neglected every day of its life, been to the moon and back yet the engine was still like a sewing machine.

Toyota Aygo mark 2? Simple to drive and maintain and reliable.

On 28/10/2023 at 19:23, Tailhappy said:

Here's something to make you think.

 

My mum has only driven 3 cars in her 63 years of holding a licence. 

 

1960 Ford Consul Classic (for about 5 years)

1970 Fiat 600d (for just a couple of years)

1986 Skoda Estelle 130 (1999 to present). This is the only one she has owned. She does love driving so this got me thinking. What cars (theoretically) should she work through to get up to latest driving technology. She is still on manual choke and fuel priming before starting remember! 

 

Here's my list.

 

1. Ford Escort Mk.4. To get used to front wheel drive and fuel injection. 

2. Vauxhall Astra Mk.5 to get used to more modern controls, thicker pillars and power steering. 

3. Mk.5 Honda CR-V to get used to larger size and infotainment screen use.

4. Tesla Model Y performance. 

 

She is 100% happy with her reliable little Estelle but what would your choices be to get someone up to current motoring tech who is only used to driving an old school Skoda?

 

Of your list, looking at current economic performance, only Tesla will still be in business in a few years time but maybe Renault and Stelantis might be if their Chinese partnerships continue to go well.

 

Who would not want one pedal driving and not filling up at petrol stations so a Citreon, Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall EV, or Up, Mii, City go is what a would recommend an elderly relative and they could enjoy 21st century advantages and running costs.

 

Edited 29 October, 20232 yr by lol-lol

On 29/10/2023 at 07:09, J.R. said:

She would probably appreciate the simplicity, reliability and relative finesse of a first generation Felicia.

I called in on her today and She agrees - the Felicia is a good choice!

On 29/10/2023 at 08:07, Rooted said:

Toyota Yaris or Honda Jazz, maybe a Suzuki Swift.    WTF with a Tesla?   

Is she good with touch screens using her left hand.     A Vauxhall Corsa Electric is much cheapness if she can plug the car in to charge.  or just a Corsa ICE. 

I was just thinking of the latest tech with the Tesla but I asked what she thought of them and it was a solid NO and no electric car either. Screen is a big no. But saying that I think that if (like her and many I suspect) are just used to driving 'normal' cars with as few buttons and no screens or alarms, then the jump to lane assist and voice commands would be too much.

On 29/10/2023 at 18:24, lol-lol said:

 

Of your list, looking at current economic performance, only Tesla will still be in business in a few years time but maybe Renault and Stelantis might be if their Chinese partnerships continue to go well.

 

Who would not want one pedal driving and not filling up at petrol stations so a Citreon, Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall EV, or Up, Mii, City go is what a would recommend an elderly relative and they could enjoy 21st century advantages and running costs.

 

 

I was chatting with her about electric cars. She had some interesting thoughts but was on the whole luke warm on them (due to the screen) and the fact she would need to go and sit in a rather lonely car park in a rough area to charge was unappealing to her. She is happy with her Estelle 130 - but I asked what if it was written off. So she suggested an easier to find Skoda but still simple. Fair enough I guess. I wonder what the market for a completely simple EV would be? Wind up windows, basic kit, nice to drive, reliable. If anyone could make one it would be Skoda.

9 hours ago, Tailhappy said:

 

I was chatting with her about electric cars. She had some interesting thoughts but was on the whole luke warm on them (due to the screen) and the fact she would need to go and sit in a rather lonely car park in a rough area to charge was unappealing to her. She is happy with her Estelle 130 - but I asked what if it was written off. So she suggested an easier to find Skoda but still simple. Fair enough I guess. I wonder what the market for a completely simple EV would be? Wind up windows, basic kit, nice to drive, reliable. If anyone could make one it would be Skoda.

 

The Dacia Spring is fulfilling this in Europe and due here in a few months.

 

 

 

Edited 7 November, 20232 yr by lol-lol

9 hours ago, Tailhappy said:

I wonder what the market for a completely simple EV would be? Wind up windows, basic kit, nice to drive, reliable. If anyone could make one it would be Skoda.

It should be big but with todays generation and the influences they have been exposed to I think it would be a flop and something to ridicule people for.

 

There is no simpler, more reliable or easier to drive vehicle than an electric milk float or a dodgem car (autotamponneuse in my language), there should be simple vehicles available that do what they are supposed to do, tsafely ransport people without any more bells and whistles.

 

But then there should be phones that are not computers that can also make a call if you have enough patience and knowledge and they are not to busy downloading some more crippling software.

Some might just lease the EV they drive when or if the time comes they want to drive an EV.

Or just go with the petrol version.