Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Dilemma re car choices

My old mum is 91 years young and struggles to get in and out of my day car (Audi Q5). No way can she get out of the Mazda or SWMBOs BMW so I’m thinking I may need to face the inevitable and replace my NC1 with something more mum focused

I’m reluctantly wondering if I might be ok with either a mini convertible or even a golf convertible. Does anyone have any experience of either or any alternatives. Budget would be around £8k performance not really important but roof down pleasure is.

If it was down to me I’d buy a Honda Jazz and keep the Mazda but in reality that’s not going to happen.

Cheers

I have driven both but only the current MINI and the last of the Golf.

What I can advise, is drive both and more importantly drive it around to your mom's and see which is easiest for her to get in and out of.

I once had a Beetle Conv't and drive it to Greece from Germany to visit family. Having the quick folding top was a plus for an uncle who struggled to get in and out of most cars as I was able to drop the top and he stepped up and into the car. Oddly enough, he found it easier to do this going into the back seat vs. the front!

My elderly MiL had a similar issue with our SUV and had no issue with the Mini R56. I do enjoy pushing the good ladies Mini about, its a fun car even at lower speeds and does not cost a fortune. I am just amazed there are not scratches on the door handles as I enjoy roundabouts etc. The aftermarket upgrades scene is good if a bit variable. You can make cheap upgrades part of basic changes (brakes, suspension etc) to tweak it if you want to. I have not tried a drop top Mini to see if the driving experience is different to the hardtop but its a fun car.

I get the idea of the Jazz but you are doubling up on all the other costs, MOT, Insurance, Service etc which could be better used?

If you try and compare the RWD MX5 directly with the Mini it is not really going to be successful would be my thought? Both fun but not the same.

Advice re trialling with your Mum is good. My parents are now 92 and 93. They keep telling me that getting in and out of our Discovery 5 (lowered to access height) is easier than with Mrs F’s Mini Clubman. They talk about the seat bolsters and the sill width. It is counter-intuitive to me but there you go.

BTW - a Honda Jazz is a great wagon for carting crumblies about. The way the rear seats fold to enable a folded wheel chair to be slid in through a back door is awesome.

For my MIL we bought a handle that fits into the lock hoop on the door pillar. That meant she could hold the dash and the handle to get out. It really helped. Link is here

I would have thought a mini would be very low for her.
What about an Abarth 595, the easiest car to get in and out, providing you mean front seats. Very big doors.
Loads performance and a convertible too.

So I also have aging parents, who can’t get in Land Cruiser, Morgan, transit, farm pick up!! So I bought a Fiat Panda for 4k. No tax, cheap as chips to insure and 60 to the gallon. I leave it at mums house all the time. Drive round in my vehicles, take her to shops, hospital whatever in the Panda. She can get in and out of it easy, as it’s a bit higher than a normal car, small seats and no bolster. I also don’t care if it gets a bash in hospital car parks.

She’s been struggling for a few years now but it came to a point last week when she stumbled backwards trying to get up to the Audi. No harm done as she fell into me but her confidence has gone. Tried wifeys BMW 4 series and the seats are too bolstered for her to get out and the same with the previous Mini Cooper, even using one of the door hook aids. She can get in the mini easily and out of the Audi (using the handle hook thing) but that’s not much help.

Leaving at car at hers isn’t really an option, no off street parking and inner city concerns! And we have 5 cars and 6 is two too many in wifey’s eyes. Sister in law has a Jazz and mum is fantastic in it and she was great getting in and out of the Morris Minors I had!

So I think I need something that’s normal car height with unbolstered seats for mum but is a convertible with a bit of sporting interest for me. As a bonus wifey has said that she quite likes the idea of a touring trip around Scotland in a ‘normal car convertible ‘.

Well, I think you have answered your own question.
Morris Minor Convertible seems to be the answer.

Sir P

Briliant - thanks John. Found one on A***** for less than a tenner!