Did you know there are certain cars to avoid when it comes to being a senior driver?
There are a lot of reasons why some vehicles are deemed to be cars to avoid when you are a senior, but some of them are harder to think about than others!
As a retiree, you will be living off a pretty fixed income, and while the exact amount is harder to guess, the reality for a lot of seniors is that the budget they have set does not have a lot of leeway when it comes to financial emergencies or surprise high payments.
This also means that you should make sure that you do not end up with a car that is going to give you a lot of headaches when it comes to having to repair it or that you end up with so many repairs in a short period that it would be better to just get a new car altogether!
The bottom line is that you cannot know when your car will suddenly require a lot of fixes, but you can know which models and brands you should steer clear of when retirement comes along. Keep reading to discover them!
Are there any cars to avoid, in your opinion? Do you want to warn other car enthusiasts about a certain car model? Make sure to let us know in the comments below!
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is one of the most charming small cars out there. As a retiree, you may be thinking that you will not need much more when it comes to a car, especially if it is just you and your spouse. However, as much as the small size of the Italian car is part of its undeniable charm, it can pose a problem when it comes to mobility.
You can never know what can happen, and if you happen to end up having mobility issues, or if your spouse, family, or friend may want to help, the size of this car is going to make things a lot harder than they should be. Along with the limited trunk space, it may end up being more of a problem in the long run due to the limited space.
What’s more, it is also a line that has its fair share of mechanical issues that could end up racking up to a pretty penny. In particular, the Fiat 500 has engine issues and oil leaks. Due to the small size of the car, working on it may also end up being a problem for mechanics, so it could end up racking up a bigger price tag.
Chrysler 200
A staple of American history, the Chrysler is a reliable car, and if you have been loyal to the brand ever since you got a car, it may be bad news to be told to avoid this car. While this is not the biggest no on the cars to avoid list, the Chrysler 200 still has a few mechanical issues as well as a few unreliable aspects of this sedan version.
The biggest one that many people who own this model have talked about is the high oil consumption, which can be a problem once you are confined to a fixed income and trying not to spend too much.
The excessive consumption comes in addition to the engine, transition, and electric repairs that a lot of series of this model have needed, even with low mileage levels. A lot of people report having to repair certain things without having used the car that much or for a lengthy period of time.
With all these aspects taken into consideration, you should make sure you are okay with the possibility of spending a lot on this car if you want to keep it in retirement.
Mini Cooper
If there is one car that we would have to name as charming, it would have to be the Mini Cooper. This brand and style of car have fascinated people all over the world ever since it came on the market, and a lot of us have either been wanting to get one or have one already.
Despite its popularity, the Mini Cooper is one of the cars to avoid for new or older retirees! This is due to a number of factors, but the most important one is that it can end up being impractical. For similar reasons to the Fiat 500, even if the Mini Cooper is bigger overall, it is still a smaller-than-average car. This means that as you age, you may also start to lose flexibility, and getting in and out of a smaller car will challenge your mobility.
What’s more, you can also expect to see a few engine and mechanical issues down the line, including oil leaks and electrical and suspension issues. To add fuel to the fire, some owners have also reported that they have run into issues with the turbo feature.
While one cannot know for certain that their car will have these issues, the Mini Cooper is not the cheapest car out there, and the maintenance for it can rack up rather quickly if you are unlucky. Do you want to test fate for aesthetics?
A good way to make sure that you can reach a place with your car even if your tires seem to be deflated is to have an air compressor in your trunk. That way, you can easily inflate your tires until you can reach a shop to help you find the issue with them! This portable one from Amazon is our choice, as it is of good quality and easy to use!
BMW 3 Series
Speaking of pricey cars, the BMW 3 Series is one of those, while also being one of the most popular car lines that we have ever seen. Both the name and the manufacturer add up to its legendary status, but this car, while definitely a sight for the eyes, has been dubbed the “ultimate driving machine.”.
However, as much as a lot of us would like to have one of these cars, they come with a hefty price tag to begin with, be it brand new or second-hand. And since BMWs are thought of as luxury vehicles, the maintenance costs of such a car will also come with appropriate price tags.
A lot of owners have been having headaches when they think about the ye
rly maintenance check for this car, but when you add in the possible issues you can run into, it makes it even more of a headache when you think about repair costs.
The common issue that many speak about is that a significant number of Series 3 BMWs end up having issues after you reach the 100,000-mile mark, especially when it comes to the engine and electrical side of things. Other sites have reported that there are other issues, such as with the battery, power window, and unexpected oil leaks when it comes to most BMWs, so you should keep this in mind.
As a retiree, it is unlikely that you will be able to foot the bill here, so make sure you are prepared if you want to keep your BMW sedan!
Dodge Grand Caravan
The last car on our list is the Dodge Grand Caravan, especially when it comes to the 2013 and 2016 models. They have been criticized by consumers and critics alike, mostly because, for such a class leader when it comes to the brand, the car is not reliable at all.
Besides apparently not being reliable in terms of performance, the car has also spotted low safety scores when it comes to most tests, and a lot of people have observed the upholstery and plastics of the interior age rather poorly and prematurely!
If you have been eyeing this car yet and want to get a reliable, well-built, safe car, then you should make sure you check out other years for this model. The Dodge Grand Caravan was actually been discontinued back in 2020, so if you want one of them, you could get one second-hand, but make sure they have been made in 2001 or 2020, so you get the latest and best model!
As a senior, there are a lot of features you need to keep in mind if you are getting a new car, much like you did when you had little kids! However, in the hustle to find the best fit for you, you can easily forget about certain features that are extremely important if you are getting retired or a senior already! Make sure you never forget to have these features on your car if you love to drive and want to keep doing so safely way into your golden years!
