Car for a 76 year old women.

11 footer

Lieutenant
Joined
Nov 16, 2002
Messages
1,408
My grandmouther totaled her car on Tuesday. She had her foot on the gas thinking it was the break, seven cars where involved all together. No one got hurt, she was at a red light in a lot of traffic so she ended up just pushing cars around. She went into some kind of shock, but she's okay now that her sugar level is back to normal.<br /><br />Being her car is totaled she has a rental from the insurance company, but only has a short amount of time to get a new car. She asked me to pick out a good car for her. After some searching, I've narrowed it down to four.<br /><br /><>Toyata Avalon<br /><>Ford Crown Victoria<br /><>Honda Accord<br /><>Chevy Impala<br /><br />She carts around all her old fart firends, so its important that old people can eazily get in and out of the front and back seats.<br /><br />What car do you think is best and why?
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

If you want to keep her in one piece Ryan, get her a Crown Vic. Or better yet take away her licence. I know, there are a lot of 76ers that are still good drivers but you need to take it on a one to one basis. You or your folks know her, I do not.<br /><br />Suffice it to say that two years ago a 76 y/o lady, with a good driving record, came barreling out a bank driveway, across one lane and tried to squeeze into my lane at a 45 deg to the front bumper on my loaded Ford E150. She was driving a Ford escort and I did not see her until she was right outside my front passenger window. Too late! I punched her right in the drivers door at 30 mph. I broke her left arm and punctured her lung. She died two weeks later of pnuemonia.<br /><br />Keep a tight leash on Grandma. I'm sure you all love her.
 

LadyFish

Admiral
Joined
Mar 18, 2003
Messages
6,894
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Yikes Ryan. I'm glad she's okay however this may be the perfect opportunity to have one of her younger friends drive.<br /><br />A Crown Vic is a good car but harder for her to park I would think. I owned a Toyota Avalon and think its one of the best driving, menuvering and comfortable cars for a smaller luxury car. Mine was White Diamond Pearl with leather interior and a sun roof-a real pretty car. The gas mileage is great and maintenance low. And it'll do 135 and has another passing gear after that. It has a Lexus engine in it. And, like most all Toyota's dosent lose its value much. If I didn't require a high profile vehicle I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Originally posted by LadyFish:<br /> <br />And it'll do 135 and has another passing gear after that.
Oh, that's all we need LadyFish! A dear old Granny in a hot rod. :D
 

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Crown Vic, its the only defense she has against all the SUVs and pickups out there. My ma is rollin' a Grand Marquis and she is in her 70s. Being harder to park isn't a factor, someone in their 70s drove huge cars longer than most of us have been alive, they have the skills.
 

LadyFish

Admiral
Joined
Mar 18, 2003
Messages
6,894
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Boomyal, when I'm a seasoned citizen I plan to drive a hot rod. :cool:
 

Fly Rod

Commander
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
2,622
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

:) Happy to hear that your grand mother is OK ;) <br />And that nobody else was hurt!!!<br /><br />Instead of another car, it may be time to take her license!!! <br /><br />My mother inlaw had a simular exsperience, luckly nobody was hurt at that time!!!<br />We made an appointment for her to take a simulated driving test!! The results was to revoke her drivers license!! we thought about it for a few days before discussing it with her!!! Well it wasn't easy,She didn't like the thought of giving up her license!! After explaining to her that the next time that she may hurt or kill someone other then herself she relinquished her right to drive!!!
 

jimr

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
723
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

while all cars listed are good cars I have to agree with some of the others about pulling her license. you stated her sugar level was off . if she is a diabetic and started going into sugar shock while driving do you think its a good idea to let her drive. would you put your kids in the car with her? no one was hurt this time luckily what would of happened if it was 8 am at a school cross walk?
 

11 footer

Lieutenant
Joined
Nov 16, 2002
Messages
1,408
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

I knew I'd get replies saying she shouldn't be on the road. My dad wants her license taken away, but its my mom's mother, not his and he's the only one who feels that way. <br /><br />Its not gonna happen, this is her first major accident. She was a single parent of four kids, she drove a retard buss for like 15 years, now she drives a 12 passenger van twice a month on old people trips. This is no way in hell she is going to give up her license, she loves to drive. <br /><br />She never owned a Crown Vic before, she is going to look at them tomorrow morning.<br /><br />She did tell me the reason she wanted to get something new is because this would be her last car. When I was about six or seven I told her when she dies I want her car, and she hasn't forgot it. She keeps bringing it up, kind of makes me feel strange. :rolleyes:
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Hey Ryan, if you're in line for the car, talk her into a Mercury Maurader. Looks just like a Crown Vic but in black. Now that would be the ultimate Granny car. Does she need another grandson? :D
 

SlowlySinking

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
897
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Hi Ryan, I had the same problem with my 90 year old grandmother, she had so many fender benders she was paying the damage out of her pocket to avoid insurance problems. Our solution, we convinced her to sell the car, turned in her license and we made a deal with a local taxi service to pick her up anywhere at any time and take her anywhere with her friends for less per month than she was paying for insurance, not to mention car payments, body and fender work, maintenance, etc. Might be something to consider.
 

ChrisMcLaughlin

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 22, 2004
Messages
387
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

"retard buss"<br />Ryan T,<br />My mouth is still hanging open. I can't belive you typed this.
 

Formula1974

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 23, 2004
Messages
243
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

The next time might not be at a red light. isnt this the same thing that happens a little while ago in california or something with the old guy driving thru the farmers market running people down. I couldnt live with myself if granny took out a pile of people because I didnt want to **** her off and have her license taken away. Im surprized the police didnt say anything about the accident being her fault.
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

What about a minivan.. It s safe and is easy to get in and out of.. Its also closer in size to the short bus..
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Ryan,<br /><br />It's a very difficult decision, yet it is time to remove the driving priveledge. (notice I did not use the word "right")<br /><br />She has proven that she has "issues" that cannot be totally controlled. <br /><br />Do we want there to be a fatality, (hers, freinds, or an innocent) before we realize our duty to do what is right?
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Ryan.<br /><br />My brother had the state revoke mom's license when she was about 75.<br /><br />She hated it. She had been doing the "Meals on Wheels" for her "older" friends every day, but he went with her one day and nearly had three heart attacks because she would forget to stop at stop signs, drove 50 in a school zone, then ran a red light while looking over her shoulder.<br /><br />He couldn't believe that she hadn't killed someone (or two).<br /><br />Don't know about your Grandma, but I think your description of the "unintended accelleration" says it all.<br /><br />We all hate the things that stop working when we get old. It is far better to hang it up than to endanger others. :(
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

RyanT, me and my family travels these roads and I don't want someone out there that should not be endangering my family and/or my safety.<br /><br />Time for her to hang it up.<br /><br />I still think there should be a re-testing age just so the state is sure the people can still cope with driving nowadays.<br /><br />IMO
 

11 footer

Lieutenant
Joined
Nov 16, 2002
Messages
1,408
Re: Car for a 76 year old women.

Sorry about the "retard bus" thing. Thats what I've always called it. I guess sometimes I forget that I'm not talking my firends at the lunch table. <br /><br />From now on they are "Special Education Students" on the "Special ED bus"
 
Top