Which comfy car for a retired couple in Tralee?

We are a retired couple, 70 and 68 living in Tralee Co. Kerry and in need of a new car.

Our 16-year-old Toyota Corolla is coming to the end of its trouble free life; the choice of a Toyota was decreed by circumstance, we bought it new, found it a bit 'light' and would like a 'heavier' car with firm and comfortable seating. Can you recommend something?

Please do not recommend a new Volkswagen; to buy one we would need to buy it from the sole Volkswagen dealer in Kerry and after our terrible experience with this dealer we would never, ever buy a car from that dealer again.

Our budget would be about €18,000/20,000, non diesel as we do not do enough driving to justify a diesel car. Can you recommend models of cars we should consider?

With thanks and good wishes

Yours sincerely

Mary G. Johnson

Mary G. Johnson Johnson (Tralee. Co. Kerry)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Have you considered a Ford Focus? I’m not sure what the situation is in your area with dealers etc, but a Focus has terrific steering – firmly weighted, direct and full of feedback and feel, and it’s also comfortable and well made (although, as a bad-back sufferer myself I would always suggest as lengthy a test drive as possible to make sure you find the seats a good shape). Quality and reliability are also good, if not quite up to Toyota levels. Your budget should get you into a year-old, maybe 18-month-old model and the 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine should make for an ideal option for you.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe