After watching many of your videos, it seems I shouldn't buy anything but a Toyota. I need a sedan. It doesn't have to be new. I looked at a 2019 Toyota Avalon, but the seat is nearly on the ground and it was a little struggle to get out of the car. I need something roomy enough for me and my son. We're both over 6' and over 240 pounds. I need the entry to be tall enough for me and my son, but low enough for my 87 year old 5'2" mom whom I often take to doctor appointments. She's too weak to climb into anything. I currently drive a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. I bought a 2009 Mercury Sable to use for taking Mom to appointments. I'd like to replace both the Sable and the Pacifica with one vehicle to serve all my needs. I really don't care if your suggestion is a car that is 10+ years old. Thank you.
@marvlthomas
Hi. I suggest getting electric adjusting seats...they seem to have more height adjustment vs the manual seats. Hope this helps
Go to a CarMax, you can "try on" a dozen different cars/SUVs in an afternoon. They are good places, as they have many different brands. They are MUCH lower pressure on sales, IMHO.
Now, when you find one you like, you can search for a good deal on that model. CarMax will probably want an extra couple thousand dollars, so look elsewhere first if you want really good price. But you will know what to look for.
@glen_stet
Thanks Glen. I checked and learned there is a CarMax less than an hour away from me. I didn't realize they had 'brick and mortar' stores.
Ford Crown Victoria.
@heyinway
Mom and Dad used to have one. It's on my radar. Thanks.
The Avalon should have adjustable height.. my 15 does.. would you consider an “ old man car”? grand Marquis, Crown Vic?? These are big comfy reliable cars, I believe worth looking at.
@rick55
My son [who is 6'6"] sat in a 2017 last week. He had to nearly lay the seat all the way back to keep his head off the headliner.
Every successive generation of Toyota sedan has gotten lower. I don't know why. These are supposed to be family vehicles, not race cars. They are harder to get in and out of, and I assume it is harder to deal with child seats. I suspect this contributes to the popularity of SUVs, but it seems unnecessary. And it wasn't always this way.
The Matrix had a low floor with a high seat and a high roof.
@sjr
Google returns roomy little cars like the Matrix, or SUV-class vehicles. I wouldn't expect little cars to be comfy on road trips, and an SUV doesn't meet my needs since my Mom couldn't climb into one. Thanks for the quick reply.
My 91 year old mother-in-law has no trouble getting in and out of my 2016 Lincoln MKX (now called the Nautilus) and the Ford Edge is the same body. Take a good look at mid-size SUV's they aren't so high that you climb in them and with power seats the seat adjusts up and down at least 4 inches.
@jim5506
Thank you.
Modern sedans are lower for better aerodynamics thusly better fuel economy. Auto engineers are squeezing the last little bit of fuel economy out of the internal combustion engine. You notice cars no longer achieve year by year fuel economy jumps of much more than 1 mpg any more. Even with tiny turbo charged engines there is only so much they can do and it's about all done.
Mercury Grand Marquis or Lincoln Town Car, 2009 -2011 (but very few 11's made), miles under 70K, prices will vary but try to get one private sale for $3,500.00 - $6,000.00. Dealers will try to get $7,000.00 - $12,000.00 or more.
Stay away from Crown Vic, mostly cabs or law enforcement and worn out/abused.
Otherwise, they're big, comfortable, docile, last forever, repair is straight forward, parts/accessories readily available. Some may say replace the radio with after-market radio/nav/backup camera. But that's about it.
Only real issue: The best ones are getting harder to find. Try retirement areas where old folks have them and use them 3 times a month ...
Another possibility: A 4-door pickup ? RWD, normal wheels, doesn't have to be some super off-road macho thing, just nice inside with good safety features.
Let us know what you decide. Good luck ...
@retoldpro
Thank you.
I ended up with a 2019 Chrysler 300 Touring L. It has a good seat height and the same engine (and amazing fuel economy) as the 2017 Pacifica I traded in. It was challenging to find one that did not have a black interior and one that did not have a sunroof. After searching online for cars within 200 miles of my location, my local dealer had recent trade-in that checked all the right boxes. Not having a sunroof allows plenty of headroom for my 6' 6" son. The V6 has nearly 300 hp and easily achieves 30 mpg. Both front seats have 8-way power heated seats with power lumbar controls. Thank you for all the replies and suggestions.