Elderly person's car easily available in England?

Question

I'm writing a book, so forgive me for having a slightly odd question.

I'm interested in the stereotypical sort of car a couple like this would have: they live in a small mountain village, both have been retired for about 3 years, so they're in their late sixties. Everywhere they drive it is within 3 miles away and they use it about 4 times a week.

If you could give me a manufacturer and model (for example, Honda Civic), that would be really great.

Pat: any site you can point me towards?

Seriously, I'm useless with cars - I don't even have one, I prefer my bike.

If it requires so much background...

They've lived in the area for about 55 years, so that reaches from the mid 50s to the present. He was a baker, she was a primary school teacher. They didn't live outlandishly, but they were comfortable in a moderate sized house. There were no kids, so none of the expense that would bring, although they didn't spoil their two neices and nephew at Christmas and birthdays, so that was 6 expensive events a year for about 25 years.

I haven't set the area yet, although my idea is a touristy logging community, so it's definitely northerly, possibly even in Scotland. The time is present day, but this particular car appears in a flashback to three years ago. There is also the possibility they've had it for some years, as he likes to get his money's worth. In fact, it's a minor contributor to their imminent divorce.

That was supposed to be DID spoil their neices and nephew.

Answer 1

KIA< VW, HONDA -- most economical to operate (try checking into some of the electric cars on the market -- don't know much about them but sound like they'd suit what you need.)

Answer 2

There is no answer, it depends on their income. Retirement age in England has historically been 65 for men and 60 for women, as we have had limited inflation in the UK since John Major cut links to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism,some 12 years or more pensioners on fixed incomes have done reasonably well and public sector workers marvellously. If the mountain village is 3 miles from the nearest town, we are probably talking Lake District,and so it will come down to have they lived there for 30 plus years worked locally, born in the area, in which case a Honda Jazz would be ideal, current Jazz has a high floor I drive one sometimes, very easy to get into or out, or for the more affluent a Subaru Forrester or similar for him and a Vauxhall Tigra sports car for her. You see incomers need four wheel drive, Hill Country people know plenty of agression gets you up hills but they are too unweildy and heavy for narrow icy or snowy English Hill Roads. The Range Rover is a popular choice among 60 somethings. Incidentally our local Billionaire is chaffeured around this hilly area in a Landrover Discovery 3 Diesel. Hill Country real estate is very expensive in England plenty of working people on £ 20 000 p.a. building plots go for £ 375 000, ordinary houses for £750 000, $1.5 million. personally I would set the novel in the far more equal days of the 1980s and give the people an Austin Allegro

Answer 3

I live in just the place you're talking about. Mountains,
logging (what's left of the trees that is), touristy (we try hard to get the tourists bucks).
The old folks around here drive: the widows drive about
a1970s honker,I mean one of
those long, gas guzzlers that
belonged to her husband.
the old guys drive just anything from the junk yard.
the more affluent women who sold their homes, get the
most horsepower and the flashiest car they can find.
Why? Cause "daddy" never
let them drive, now they push
everybody else off the road.
Old people with money don't
think about gas prices or the
environment, they want those
muscle cars.
the rest of us old ladies ride
the bus. Oh, some Senior
couples still ride their Honda
Goldwings.

Answer 4

If they only drive about 3 miles away and it is 4 times a week, I would say they are not worried about gas mileage. Give them a Lincoln Continnental.
You could also have them drive a Jaguar X-400. It says on Google that they are made in Coventry and Birmingham.

Answer 5

A Smart cabriolet would be ideal, they could open the roof to enjoy the view and fresh air.

Answer 6

an Austin cab.Timeless vehicle. Plus they no longer make them according to a History Channel show that I saw .

Answer 7

How about an Opal or a Nash.

Answer 8

we have a Vauxall Astra