Car for mom

[too_slow]

My mom's been driving her trusted 2001 Subaru Legacy GT wagon since the day we got it 14 years ago. It still only has <70,000kms. Everything's serviced by a Subaru enthusiast, using the right Subaru coolant + addictives.
Car got bumped twice in a parking lot, and the driver door had to be repaired because she forgot to close the door while the car was moving in the garage.. :S

It's been a good car, but she deserves to be in something a little newer.

I want to put her in something with more active safety features.
My current IS350 has radar cruise control, LDW, and AEB (auto emergency braking), and I would like to have that in her next car.

She'll only drive hatchbacks, or a small CUV.

Honda doesn't offer it in the HRV, Mazda CX3 doesn't have radar cruise, but has city AEB. CT200h can get pricey - they force you to buy the top spec. Both the Q3 and Tiguan is a decade old in telematics/safety tech, and doesn't offer any of the three. I absolutely despise the X1. She refuses to drive a Benz.
Volvo doesn't sell the V40 or XC40 here.

NX300h might be a bit big for her. VW Golf Highline doesnt have any of those 3 features, unlike the cars here in Aus.

Help? Lol..

[bcuzracecarz]

Is the radar really such a necessity? I've personally never understood the features that aid in eyes off the road driving...

Cx-3 or 5 are great cars, as is the HRV. Both reliable and have more than enough features loaded.

[too_slow]

I used to feel the same until I got our current car.
It's god sent on road trips, and some even have the option to queue for you in bumper to bumper traffic.

I know ICBC doesnt do this, but cars with AEB here gets a nice insurance discount as well.

Actually, thinks for reminding me - the 3 GT tech has the radar cruise and AEB, though I'm sure she'll tell me it's not worth $35k (Taxes in)

[320icar]

I have had cruise control in my last 3 or 4 cars. I have never used them and find no interest in it

[LP700-4]

Why not stick with Subaru? Their Eyesight system is probably one of the best in the market and is offered in every model except for the BRZ, WRX and STI.

[asian_XL]

Have u asked her what she likes?
if no preference, then C Lai needs a M class or X5 or Q5

[flagella]

If CT200h is expensive for him, obviously those won't be among the choices.

[Lancerion]

Check out the 2015 Impreza. Compact, hatchback available, and Eyesight option has adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and LDW.

[bcrdukes]

too_slow,

Very nice of you to want to put your mom into something newer.

But I think you need to ask yourself - Do you want to put her into something newer because of the door incident? Or does she deserve a new car with newer features because that is what she wants?

For all we know, she could very well be happy in a base model Civic or Corolla (but I know that isn't in her criteria.)

[yray]

2015 Nissan rogue

Does all of the above in a half assed fashion.



Why not stick with Subaru + eyesight.

[Marshall Placid]

Hatchback?

Australia?

Crikey!

Get a Audi S3 or A3 Sportback, and your mom AND you will jump for joy, higher than a Wallaby!

When your mom isn't driving the car... wink wink, you drive it.

Hatchback, check
AEB, check
Audi Magnetic Ride, check (for comfy, but aggressive driving)
Audi Side Assist and Audi Active Lane Assist, check

Or, lucky Aussies get the A3 E-tron Sportback:

2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron pricing and specifications

Which just came out in Australia.

Good luck in any case.

[nabs]

OR

YouTube

[too_slow]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

too_slow,

Very nice of you to want to put your mom into something newer.

But I think you need to ask yourself - Do you want to put her into something newer because of the door incident? Or does she deserve a new car with newer features because that is what she wants?

For all we know, she could very well be happy in a base model Civic or Corolla (but I know that isn't in her criteria.)

Lol! The door incident thing was a one-off from 6 years ago. There hasn't been any mishaps since then. I just checked the Lexus CA website, and the CT200h is a total joke in terms of safety/luxury options. None of the 3 safety features I wanted are available on the Canadian model.

My fan's in Vancouver, and will be here probably forever. Yes, I had a 3dr S3 here briefly, but we needed a 4 dr. If the 5dr A3 is available in Canada, I'll be there with a deposit when I'm back on vacay end of month.

Last I check the Civic and Corolla's aren't available in hatchback form in Canada. The Scion really killed what would have been a decent looking car. I love Mazda, but something about the seat ergonomics on cars below the 6 is a bit off. VW really knows how to make a good seat, even on a barebones Golf which I had before the Tiguan.

Edit : Argh, Mazda 3 doesn't have radar cruise either - even with GT-Tech

[too_slow]

Thanks, totally forgot about the new Subies. The new Subaru Levorg will come be arriving in Aussieland soon. Would love to put her in that. I didn't even know what the EyeSight thing is until now. I'll do some research on the XV Hybrid - it makes sense for her because she only drives down from Westwood Plateau to Coq Centre for errands and stuff. Only 1/2 the trip would require the engine to even turn over.

[68style]

Am I missing something on this cruise control thing? When the heck can you ever use cruise control in the lower mainland?

I only use it in the USA when driving on the Interstate and it actually has an application... but here?!

[boibuddha]

I have to agree with 68style on this one. If your mom is only driving 5k/yr, her daily commute is roughly 15km.

Does she really need radar cruise to drive 15 km?

[tiger_handheld]

wait and re-evaluate when the new Tesla comes out in 2 yrs. Supposed to be around 35k

[LP700-4]

Originally Posted by too_slow

Thanks, totally forgot about the new Subies. The new Subaru Levorg will come be arriving in Aussieland soon. Would love to put her in that. I didn't even know what the EyeSight thing is until now. I'll do some research on the XV Hybrid - it makes sense for her because she only drives down from Westwood Plateau to Coq Centre for errands and stuff. Only 1/2 the trip would require the engine to even turn over.

The XV Hybrid isnt available with Eyesight, at least the 2015's arent. Maybe when the 2016s come out?

My mom has a 2014, and i can tell you the hybrid doesnt even make too much of a difference in terms of fuel efficiency. The engine wont shut off if its cold, if the defrosters on, if the ac is on, or if you use more than like 15% throttle. So basically the only time you can cruise engine off is in parking lots or downhill stretches not exceeding 60km/h. It also weighs a couple hundred pounds more than the regular one.

You can feel more torque off the line with the electric motors however. Its basically a LaFerrari in the way the electric motors assist the engine rather than solely running on its own for gas savings.

If we could do it over we'd get the normal crosstrek with eyesight instead.

[underscore]

I have to ask, at <5k/yr, does your mom even get on the highway let alone take road trips? Things like radar cruise and auto braking (idk what LDW is supposed to be) are pretty much worthless if you're never going above 60km/h and only driving 15k each day.

[prolepsis]

Originally Posted by underscore

...idk what LDW is supposed to be...

Lane Departure Warning.

[underscore]

Originally Posted by prolepsis

Lane Departure Warning.

Gotcha, thanks. aka distracted driving assist.

[yamanote]

Canadian 2016 Golf Highlines will be available with an optional Technology Package comprising adaptive cruise control, Front Assist AEB w/ pedestrian detection, Lane Assist LDW, PDC/Park Assist and the 8" Discover Pro navigation system (first time this is being offered in North America).

Blind spot monitoring comes standard on Highlines too.

[brrrz]

Get her the Crosstrek. They just changed the nav system in 2015 to the same unit found in the Outback and Legacy. Ground clearance of 8.71 inches and its still a hatchback. You will see 1,000kms on a tank of gas if you opt for the hybrid and the eyesight works and is hands how the best system out there. Being in the business I have had the opportunity to drive an Impreza full throttle at a wall and it stopped just as advertised before making contact.

[too_slow]

Thanks guys. I prefer to have the Radar cruise because it acts as autonomous braking at any speed. Most city-brake "AEB" systems can only function below 15km/h. I've had an incident where a car did not stop at the stop sign, and my IS braked hard for me to avoid him (at the same time, I was able to "autocross" around him). I used to think all the techs were gimicky, but I've experienced how it actually "works." Our family's bought 3 Subies from Don Docksteader. Our recent experiences with them has been less than stellar, ever since Dilwari group took over. Anyone have a dealership recommendation for Subies?

[godwin]

Besides Don, you are pretty much left with Specialty or Wolfe..

Another model you can look at is the GLA.. My friend loves hers.. it has cruise and brake features.. also fancy automatic parking features since their brake and steering are electric. I don't think Subaru would have it because their system is not fully electric yet.

Originally Posted by too_slow

Thanks guys. I prefer to have the Radar cruise because it acts as autonomous braking at any speed. Most city-brake "AEB" systems can only function below 15km/h. I've had an incident where a car did not stop at the stop sign, and my IS braked hard for me to avoid him (at the same time, I was able to "autocross" around him). I used to think all the techs were gimicky, but I've experienced how it actually "works." Our family's bought 3 Subies from Don Docksteader. Our recent experiences with them has been less than stellar, ever since Dilwari group took over. Anyone have a dealership recommendation for Subies?