Luxobarges

[SearchMaster]

My neighbor is in her early 80s and in the market for a new car. She currently has a '11 Altima that she likes but has never really loved since new.

Like a lot of elderly people, she hates the trend toward sporty cars with sporty ride. She likes the old style luxobarge ride that floats along the road so she can ride to church in relative comfort (with an occasional road trip of ~200 miles each way).

She had a 1990-something Lincoln Continental that she loved, so I thought for sure the new Continental was the best available car at her budget ($50K hard max - she could afford much more but it's a mental thing). But she finally went to test drive a lightly used '17 Continental today, the fully loaded Black Label package, and was underwhelmed saying that her Altima has a better ride but couldn't really narrow down how or why.

She's willing to consider a used car but she's pretty picky so it would need to be near perfect. What other new or very lightly used cars in the $40K-$50K range should we consider? Again, cushy ride and comfort are the primary considerations, followed by a cockpit that feels more open than claustrophobic. I know enough about the market to know what the primary competitors would be so I would prefer if you have personal experience with your recommendation. And she doesn't like SUVs at all.

 

[coxmaster]

Equus was great, and it's replacement Genesis G80 is also amazing.. Having drive those and a comparable 7 Series, it's hard to ignore the Korean options.

 

[jlee]

CPO Lexus LS?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If she tested the Continental with the upgraded engine and AWD, I think it has a stiffer suspension. I suspect a base model (or hybrid, even) Continental or MKZ would be better. The 2014 MKZ I test drove last time I was shopping was crazy-smooth.

The Lexus ES/LS are also definitely "not sporty" when it comes to ride quality. (Housemate's got an ES.)

Also check out Buicks.

 

[SearchMaster]

Equus was great, and it's replacement Genesis G80 is also amazing.. Having drive those and a comparable 7 Series, it's hard to ignore the Korean options.

I was thinking about having her look at the Genesis, but last time I mentioned a Korean car she seemingly turned her nose up. But I'll definitely mention it, I like them.

She has a friend who has a new ES350 but hates it and is about to trade it in, so that one is probably out. LS might be a consideration but if she's biased against the ES, that might kill the idea.

She has no interest in the MKZ because her sister just bought one. When she bought her Altima 7 years ago, she didn't care for the Buick she test drove but they may have something more suitable now.

She's hard to please for sure.

 

[Riverhound777]

Maybe a Caddy? Used XTS should be in that range, Magnetic Ride control might please her.

 

[IronWing]

How about a restored 80s-90s land barge? 50k can buy a lot of maintenance if needed.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Most of the upper middle class oldies I know love their RX350s. That said, if she is sticking with a car, how about a Buick LaCrosse? should have a nice soft ride with thick comfy seats.

Otherwise, Volvo S60 or S80 will be more or less "the most comforable."

 

[NutBucket]

My dad bought a CR-V in his early 80's and he's happy as a clam. I guess he's easy to please

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Most of the upper middle class oldies I know love their RX350s. That said, if she is sticking with a car, how about a Buick LaCrosse? should have a nice soft ride with thick comfy seats.

Otherwise, Volvo S60 or S80 will be more or less "the most comforable."

What about an S90?

 

[Midwayman]

FWIW the latest gen mercedes have turned back to their luxobarge roots. Other than that the lexus es/ls come to mind. Just about everything has become more sporty recently. Maybe look into something with fancy magnetic shocks. She can dial it down to full soft at least.

 

[bigi]

This should make happy

 

[BurnItDwn]

What about an S90?

Due to my ignorance, I never thought about the S90.

 

[heymrdj]

Chrysler 300C with the hemi in it.

 

[squirrel dog]

had a 300c , it would fit the bill .

 

[Bubbleawsome]

If you can get her to test drive a G80 or G90 with the 5.0 she'll buy it, 100% sure.

 

[SearchMaster]

I've asked her to do some online research for the following, but I don't know how much she'll do for now. She's pretty much decided to postpone the search until early next year. Oh and funny enough, she's convinced that a 2018 would be better than a 2019 because they just introduce new cars with a lot of new problems. I tried to explain that unless it's a model redesign year, the newer car is more likely to have fixed any problems from the older one but she disagrees. But that won't matter much if she waits until next year because '18s will be hard to find.

Volvo S60
Genesis G80
Lexus ES350
Chrysler 300C
Buick LaCrosse (maybe)

I think the Volvo S90 is going to be a bit too expensive, she seems to have a pretty hard limit at $50K though if it snuck over the line for the perfect car she'd probably bite. She was going to check the 300C right before Thanksgiving when she checked out the Continental she test drove but there was a parade and traffic made it impossible. I think the Cadillacs are going to be "too sporty" and from the look of the car, the LaCrosse doesn't have that "glass bubble" cabin she likes but I haven't been inside it.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Also agreed on the Buick Lacrosse. The Avenir in AWD dressing slots just under 50K MSRP, and with GM announcing the discontinuation of most of their cars, she'll probably be able to get them for cheap in the coming months.

That said, if she wants to re-create the Power Steering assisted to hell and back ability of turning a porker of a <00's car with a pinky finger, those days are (mostly) gone. Car manufacturers responded to customer's request that they want to feel "heft" even if the heft is entirely faked through dulled Electric Power Steering.

 

[squirrel dog]

Nissan Maxima also .

 

[bradly1101]

My neighbor is in her early 80s and in the market for a new car. She currently has a '11 Altima that she likes but has never really loved since new.

Like a lot of elderly people, she hates the trend toward sporty cars with sporty ride. She likes the old style luxobarge ride that floats along the road so she can ride to church in relative comfort (with an occasional road trip of ~200 miles each way).

She had a 1990-something Lincoln Continental that she loved, so I thought for sure the new Continental was the best available car at her budget ($50K hard max - she could afford much more but it's a mental thing). But she finally went to test drive a lightly used '17 Continental today, the fully loaded Black Label package, and was underwhelmed saying that her Altima has a better ride but couldn't really narrow down how or why.

She's willing to consider a used car but she's pretty picky so it would need to be near perfect. What other new or very lightly used cars in the $40K-$50K range should we consider? Again, cushy ride and comfort are the primary considerations, followed by a cockpit that feels more open than claustrophobic. I know enough about the market to know what the primary competitors would be so I would prefer if you have personal experience with your recommendation. And she doesn't like SUVs at all.

Avalon. [edit: Consumer Reports gave the '19 Avalon a score of 92/100, very rare. They especially liked the smooth, controlled ride. I wish I could screenshot their summary, and since Toyota, will LAST.] I suppose you need to subscribe: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/avalon

 

[crashtech]

I imagine that if you could get her into the driver's seat of a Genesis G90, some of the bias against Korean autos might evaporate. Failing that, it might not be too difficult to explain how different the Lexus ES and LS are; a lightly used LS would be my second choice for her.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Avalon. [edit: Consumer Reports gave the '19 Avalon a score of 92/100, very rare. They especially liked the smooth, controlled ride. I wish I could screenshot their summary, and since Toyota, will LAST.] I suppose you need to subscribe: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/toyota/avalon

Also an Avalon/ES fan, but she already said she didn't like the ES.

Which I just don't understand at all.

 

[bradly1101]

Also an Avalon/ES fan, but she already said she didn't like the ES.

Which I just don't understand at all.

Isn't the ES a Camry? Avalon is bigger, more comfortable, and smoother, no? My van has a slightly detuned version of the Avalon's engine (296 vs. 301hp), same tranny, so if she's a badass, but the hybrid is no slouch and it gets 42MPG.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Isn't the ES a Camry? Avalon is bigger, more comfortable, and smoother, no? My van has a slightly detuned version of the Avalon's engine (296 vs. 301hp), same tranny, so if she's a badass, but the hybrid is no slouch and it gets 42MPG.

The latest ES (2013+) is an Avalon with flash, and the Avalon is itself basically a stretched Camry.

My housemate has a 2013 ES300h.

 

[bradly1101]

The latest ES (2013+) is an Avalon with flash, and the Avalon is itself basically a stretched Camry.

My housemate has a 2013 ES300h.

Oh, haven't seen I guess.