Car Technology and Life (Aging): What Car Is Good for a 50-something Who Has Begun to Stiffen Up?

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  Nov 25, 2015 1:29 AM GMT

  I have a Prius now.
  It doesn't have luxury seats, meaning I can not hold a button and it goes back, forward, up, down, lean back.
  It doesn't have a telescopic steering wheel either.
  And of course, the seats cannot be heated in the winter via some electronics.
  
  I have to start thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s.
  
  Do I go Buick, Cadillac? Is there a Toyota to stick with?
  
  Yes, in North Texas there are plenty of men in their 50s and 60s who climb into high trucks and get low into Corvettes.
  
  Adding Volvo and Lincoln to Buick and Cadillac. (Looking at the category Luxury Cars < $50K)
  
  Camry or Avalon by Toyota?
  

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  Nov 25, 2015 1:32 AM GMT

  Buick
  
  Cadillac
  
  Toyota Camry
  
  Toyota Avalon
  
  Volvo
  
  Lincoln
  
  So far I have a list of six.
  I do not want to pay a lot in maintenance.
  
  So unfortunate within the last three months my Prius dashboard computer stopped working and SURPRISE: find $1,000 or you do not have a mode of transportation.
  
  
  
  

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  Nov 25, 2015 1:42 AM GMT

  
  
  Cars can vary a lot year by year aswell as model by model or even company by company. Kind of like wine, a 2012 might taste a hell of a lot different than a 2011 from the same winery.
  
  
  Your best bet is to probably find 2 or three resources (such as car and driver, consumer reports for example) and do a bit of research cross referencing the 2 or 3 sources you choose. Make a list of 3 or 4 cars, and go test driving. Oh, also visit those cars forums...you'll be able to find people posting about the cars after they have bought them.
  
  
  From you post, comfort seems to be the main concern....make sure you stick with that. Don't get sucked in to buying something cause it looks a little nicer, cause eventually you'll not give a shit and think all the newer ones are better anyways.
  
  
  As for a specific recommendation, i can offer you none. I am cheap and poor and only have driven shitty cars my entire life.

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  Nov 25, 2015 1:57 AM GMT

  I have never heard of a person in their 50's needing a special car. If you're "stiffing up" you should probably move more. Try getting a bike.

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  Nov 25, 2015 2:10 AM GMT

  A CUV might make sense for you. They are easier to get in and out of. Remember how easy it was getting into a 55 Chevy? You don't step up or get your ass in so low you can't get back out.
  
  The Lincoln MKC is a small cross over. They have a tailgate that open with the swipe of your foot....great when you have packages in hand.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• rnch
  
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  Nov 25, 2015 3:13 AM GMT

  I have knee & lower back issues.
  
  I find my last version of the Lincoln Town Car extremely easy to exit & enter. And seriously comfortable.
  
  
  

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  Nov 25, 2015 3:49 AM GMT

  Stop driving till self-driving cars become commercially available. The last thing our crowded roads need are more stiff drivers who are too slow to react to sudden changes in traffic flow.

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  Nov 25, 2015 3:55 AM GMT

  To actually answer your question, I sold my 2001 Camry last year and went a year using only a bicycle for transportation (live close to work and stores). Then this year I bought a 1996 Mercedes really cheap...cheaper than I sold the Camry for. It has more options than the Camry and drives way better.
  
  Oh and this summer I rented a 2015 Camry for a whole month, and my old Mercedes still drives better.

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:18 AM GMT

  StephenOABC saidI have a Prius now.
  It doesn't have luxury seats, meaning I can not hold a button and it goes back, forward, up, down, lean back.
  It doesn't have a telescopic steering wheel either.
  And of course, the seats cannot be heated in the winter via some electronics.
  
  I have to start thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s.
  
  Do I go Buick, Cadillac? Is there a Toyota to stick with?
  
  Yes, in North Texas there are plenty of men in their 50s and 60s who climb into high trucks and get low into Corvettes.
  
  Adding Volvo and Lincoln to Buick and Cadillac. (Looking at the category Luxury Cars < $50K)
  
  Camry or Avalon by Toyota?
  

  
  
  "50-something Who Has Begun to Stiffen Up"
  
  You're 50 sumthin and complaining? The rest of us should be so lucky.

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:25 AM GMT

  StephenOABC saidI have a Prius now.
  It doesn't have luxury seats, meaning I can not hold a button and it goes back, forward, up, down, lean back.
  It doesn't have a telescopic steering wheel either.
  And of course, the seats cannot be heated in the winter via some electronics.
  
  I have to start thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s.
  
  Do I go Buick, Cadillac? Is there a Toyota to stick with?
  
  Yes, in North Texas there are plenty of men in their 50s and 60s who climb into high trucks and get low into Corvettes.
  
  Adding Volvo and Lincoln to Buick and Cadillac. (Looking at the category Luxury Cars < $50K)
  
  Camry or Avalon by Toyota?
  

  
  
  "Do I go Buick, Cadillac"
  
  Cadillac is half race car these days
  
  
  
  
  
  

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:28 AM GMT

  new 2017 Buick Lacrosse will be on sale in March
  
  http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/things-overheard-2015-los-angeles-auto-show-232041/
  
  But yeah, a bike isn't a bad idea. I need to get back out on one for the same reasons.

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  Nov 25, 2015 2:09 PM GMT

  Any car with surround cameras, heated seats and automatic braking.

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• rnch
  
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  Nov 25, 2015 4:36 PM GMT

  freedomisntfree said

  StephenOABC saidI have a Prius now.
  It doesn't have luxury seats, meaning I can not hold a button and it goes back, forward, up, down, lean back.
  It doesn't have a telescopic steering wheel either.
  And of course, the seats cannot be heated in the winter via some electronics.
  
  I have to start thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s.
  
  Do I go Buick, Cadillac? Is there a Toyota to stick with?
  
  Yes, in North Texas there are plenty of men in their 50s and 60s who climb into high trucks and get low into Corvettes.
  
  Adding Volvo and Lincoln to Buick and Cadillac. (Looking at the category Luxury Cars < $50K)
  
  Camry or Avalon by Toyota?
  

  
  
  "Do I go Buick, Cadillac"
  
  Cadillac is half race car these days
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  IDK what Cadillac is trying to prove or be as of late.
  
  Their continued, curious mix of protractor right angles and added on curves still makes for an odd looking car.
  
  Going "boy racer" will NOT endear them to the Audi-Porsche-Benz-Bimmer "upscale" crowd they are trying (unsuccessfully) to attract.
  
  Caddy has some great engines wrapped up in some confused cars.

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• rnch
  
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  Nov 25, 2015 4:47 PM GMT

  Stephen: Although not as easy to get in and out of as my Town Car, with the power driver's seat properly adjusted for my knee/back "issues" I find my 2011 Camry a painless car...in many ways. I doubt the newest Camry has changed much in this regard.

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:07 PM GMT

  The young, "hip" moneyed 20 and 30something car guys that I work with are looking down their collective noses at Cadillac's most recent front wheel drive creations and are scouring ebay and local want ads for the previous generation Escalades.
  
  Although too big for my tastes, a graphite gray Escalade, with the current in style larger chrome rims does have a certain "presence" & "look" about it.

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:28 PM GMT

  "... thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s..."
  a better situation would be how to manage your diet and exercise to be the best gay man at that age. Quite frankly 50-60 is a little early to feel slow for simple tasks.
  
  
  
  
  
  "I have a Prius now... And of course, the seats cannot be heated in the winter via some electronics... in North Texas..."
  gather the OP lives in N Texas; so why the heated seats unless jonsing for 3rd degree burns.
  
  
  
  
  I have to start thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s:
  -stick with the Prius. Any modern car will last 250,000 miles.
  -gas is about $1.65/gal but this will continue for ever. Get a pos car with the lowest tech, lowest curb weight and highest mileage possible. At least you will be able to afford getting A->B when older.
  -cars last longer now, dont buy a new car. Consider all options and there are huncreds of cars to pick from if you include used cars too. A nice forum is forums.edmunds.com/
  -As you get older your earning potential drops. Preparation for going into retirement is paying off any home loans, reduce the daily $ burn rate. Opt out of any HOA situations and buy a simple single family ranch setup for low maintenance. Than buy a few rentals.
  -Move to a home where you can walk to essential things you need in life.
  -getting older, the first medium level illness you encounter will wipe out your savings. Hide your income/assets.
  
  
  
  i find it difficult to treat this thread serious.
  oh well; how has previous realjock postings worked telling older gay men to be the best fiscal conservative gay they can be and not spend money to fill a republican land fill.

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:47 PM GMT

  rnch said

  freedomisntfree said

  StephenOABC saidI have a Prius now.
  It doesn't have luxury seats, meaning I can not hold a button and it goes back, forward, up, down, lean back.
  It doesn't have a telescopic steering wheel either.
  And of course, the seats cannot be heated in the winter via some electronics.
  
  I have to start thinking about a car for my 50s and 60s.
  
  Do I go Buick, Cadillac? Is there a Toyota to stick with?
  
  Yes, in North Texas there are plenty of men in their 50s and 60s who climb into high trucks and get low into Corvettes.
  
  Adding Volvo and Lincoln to Buick and Cadillac. (Looking at the category Luxury Cars < $50K)
  
  Camry or Avalon by Toyota?
  

  
  
  "Do I go Buick, Cadillac"
  
  Cadillac is half race car these days
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  IDK what Cadillac is trying to prove or be as of late.
  
  Their continued, curious mix of protractor right angles and added on curves still makes for an odd looking car.
  
  Going "boy racer" will NOT endear them to the Audi-Porsche-Benz-Bimmer "upscale" crowd they are trying (unsuccessfully) to attract.
  
  Caddy has some great engines wrapped up in some confused cars.

  
  
  Johan rebuilt Audi from what it was back in the Audi 5000 days to what it is now so I'm willing (as if I have any choice) to give him some time to see what he can do.
  
  It took him a very long to time to do the same with Audi so I imagine it's going to take a decade or so to see if it can be done with Cadillac.
  
  First, they need to go way up market with these stupid ass alpha numeric names to the CT8 and 9 (the big coupe and vert) and three additional CUVs which are on their way. XT5 was just introduced at the LA auto show. That's the SRX replacement (Cadillac's best seller).
  
  Whereas BMW and MB are full line manufactures, Cadillac can't go too far downmarket without stepping on Buick and Chevy so I don't think you'll see much smaller than the ATS or upcoming XT3 (CUV).
  
  They can go way far upmarket though and play with RR and Bentley, but it will take time to re-develop the cachet to do so.
  
  

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:48 PM GMT

  rnch saidThe young, "hip" moneyed 20 and 30something car guys that I work with are looking down their collective noses at Cadillac's most recent front wheel drive creations and are scouring ebay and local want ads for the previous generation Escalades.
  
  Although too big for my tastes, a graphite gray Escalade, with the current in style larger chrome rims does have a certain "presence" & "look" about it.

  
  
  "most recent front wheel drive creations "
  
  What "recent" front wheel drive creations?

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  Nov 25, 2015 5:55 PM GMT

  freedomisntfree said

  
  
  
  ....First, they need to go way up market with these stupid ass alpha numeric names to the CT8...
  

  
  
  
  On this we can agree. IDK what these dumb-azzeed numbers & names signify or stand for; nor do I care to know. They just sound stupid, downscale and boy racer-ish.

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  Nov 25, 2015 6:00 PM GMT

  rnch said

  freedomisntfree said

  
  
  
  ....First, they need to go way up market with these stupid ass alpha numeric names to the CT8...
  

  
  
  
  On this we can agree. IDK what these dumb-azzeed numbers & names signify or stand for; nor do I care to know. They just sound stupid, downscale and boy racer-ish.

  
  
  and:
  
  "most recent front wheel drive creations "
  
  What "recent" front wheel drive creations?

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  Nov 25, 2015 6:04 PM GMT

  rnch said

  freedomisntfree said

  
  
  
  ....First, they need to go way up market with these stupid ass alpha numeric names to the CT8...
  

  
  
  
  On this we can agree. IDK what these dumb-azzeed numbers & names signify or stand for; nor do I care to know. They just sound stupid, downscale and boy racer-ish.

  
  
  
  And Cadillac doesn't have really any heritage names it can use. Sure can't use Poop De Ville, Seville or Fleetwood or maybe even Eldorado. It could use the Elmiraj from the concept car last year. Just dump this CT6, etc crap. As talented as Johan is I think he's really full of shit regarding this.

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  Nov 25, 2015 6:05 PM GMT

  I've owned a Beetle (A+++!), Renault (TOTAL POS!), Pinto (Ditto!), and a Subaru Forester and Outback, both of which are excellent cars and very easy to get in and out of, and have heated seats once you get in. The only way to size cars up is to check them out in person, but you should narrow your choices beforehand by checking out the ratings in Consumer Reports alongside any particular needs or desires you have in terms of cargo space, mileage, towing, tranny, etc. I'll continue to stick w/ Subarus, TYVM!

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  Nov 25, 2015 6:13 PM GMT

  And probably the best mid-priced large sedan for around $40 would be a new Impala LTZ. It was CR's 2nd highest rated car after the Tesla.

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  Nov 25, 2015 6:20 PM GMT

  MGINSD saidI've owned a Beetle (A+++!), Renault (TOTAL POS!), Pinto (Ditto!), and a Subaru Forester and Outback, both of which are excellent cars and very easy to get in and out of, and have heated seats once you get in. The only way to size cars up is to check them out in person, but you should narrow your choices beforehand by checking out the ratings in Consumer Reports alongside any particular needs or desires you have in terms of cargo space, mileage, towing, tranny, etc. I'll continue to stick w/ Subarus, TYVM!

  
  
  And you're still a lesbian
  
  
  

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• rnch
  
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  Nov 25, 2015 6:25 PM GMT

  [quote][cite]freedomisntfree said...
  
  
  
  "most recent front wheel drive creations "
  
  What "recent" front wheel drive creations?[/quote]
  
  
  
  
  I was quoting the guys I work with, mentioned above.
  
  I don't follow Cadillac anymore, as my postings here prove.

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