[drdavidge]

My parents who are in their 70s had their previous car (an Accord) flooded/totaled in the storm last week. They are looking for a replacement and said they want a "luxury small SUV". They like my car (an X5) but obviously that's too big for them but they wanted to check out the X1 and X3. My mother is also quite short at 5' so something low to the ground and OK for a short driver is pretty important. The only problem is that my mother got a knee replaced last week and can't go to dealerships to go and try these cars out, nor can she really manage to sit in them right now. Dealerships around them won't let my father take the car home to her. But they need a car ASAP. Any thoughts on a CPO 2018 X1 vs X3 for seniors with at least one short driver? Which makes more sense? Things to be aware of? Thanks.

[Le Patron1]

Everytime I took My X3 To the dealership They have given me an X1 For a loaner and For me I would never personally own an X1

[DenverSteve]

The X3 and X5 aren’t different enough to be of benefit to them. I would have them look at the X1or X2. Almost identical but the X1 is more traditional shaped while the X2 sportier.

[BMWCCA1]

Y'all do realize that neither the X1 or the X2 have Blind-spot detection? It's optional on 2018 X3, so be careful what you choose. A necessary feature for older drivers and pretty much expected these days, even if BMW choose not to include it.

[taek]

I'd be careful of going too small here, because the X5 is not a big car from my standards. It's about the same length as your parents' Accord, although wider & taller. The X1 is much smaller than an Accord. 21" shorter and 2" skinnier. It has less legroom and less shoulder room than the Accord.

If would go X3, unless they are looking for something specifically much smaller than an Accord.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by drdavidge

My parents who are in their 70s had their previous car (an Accord) flooded/totaled in the storm last week. They are looking for a replacement and said they want a "luxury small SUV". They like my car (an X5) but obviously that's too big for them but they wanted to check out the X1 and X3. My mother is also quite short at 5' so something low to the ground and OK for a short driver is pretty important. The only problem is that my mother got a knee replaced last week and can't go to dealerships to go and try these cars out, nor can she really manage to sit in them right now. Dealerships around them won't let my father take the car home to her. But they need a car ASAP. Any thoughts on a CPO 2018 X1 vs X3 for seniors with at least one short driver? Which makes more sense? Things to be aware of? Thanks.

lexus

[SteveinArizona]

I would also avoid the X1/X2 mini clones. The X3 is the first "real" BMW IMHO.

My daughter is 5' also. When she was getting a new car she was deciding between a VW Alltrack and a Mazda CX5. She ultimately chose the Alltrack as it was easier for her to get in and out of it.

I bet Genesis would be happy to bring a GV70 over for her to try out. A Genesis with all the safety features would be a better bet than the X1 and would probably meet all the user needs for less money.

You could also tell the BMW Sales Manager that you are about to call Genesis and have them bring a car over for your Mom to try out and are they really refusing to bring her an X3 to try? You might see them change their mind rather quickly. If they don't, I for one would not want to deal with that dealership anyway.

[ErnestHouse]

As far as CPO cars go, be cognizant of the Connected drive technology in the older cars given 3G going away in February. SOS goes away in February on the 3G cars.

As for size, I 100% agree on the X3 over the X1. My sister is a little over 5' and loves her X3. Another factor to consider is rear seat space fitting adults. You will probably find a better fit in another brand.

[Jeff01234567]

For seniors, I would bypass BMW altogether and get a Mercedes GLA. The safety features in a Mercedes are much more well-implemented than BMW. In particular, the blind-spot monitor makes an audible beep when another car is in your blind spot, as opposed to BMW which only vibrates the steering wheel. Mercedes' automatic high-beams are also truly automatic, whereas in BMW you have to turn on that function every time you start the vehicle. Lastly, a modern Mercedes interior is MUCH brighter than a BMW interior because of the ambient lighting, making it easier for someone with impaired vision to see things inside the vehicle. These are my unbiased thoughts after owning both BMW and Mercedes late model vehicles.

If reliability and ease of dealership experience is what is more important to them, a Lexus NX may be good. However the blind-spot monitor is not as useful as Mercedes since it does not make any audible sounds. Whatever you do, don't buy a BMW for a senior. I helped my late-50s mother shop for a car a few months ago, and when keeping a senior's needs and perspectives in mind BMW just absolutely does not work.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by Jeff01234567

For seniors, I would bypass BMW altogether and get a Mercedes GLA. The safety features in a Mercedes are much more well-implemented than BMW. In particular, the blind-spot monitor makes an audible beep when another car is in your blind spot, as opposed to BMW which only vibrates the steering wheel. Mercedes' automatic high-beams are also truly automatic, whereas in BMW you have to turn on that function every time you start the vehicle. Lastly, a modern Mercedes interior is MUCH brighter than a BMW interior because of the ambient lighting, making it easier for someone with impaired vision to see things inside the vehicle. These are my unbiased thoughts after owning both BMW and Mercedes late model vehicles.

If reliability and ease of dealership experience is what is more important to them, a Lexus NX may be good. However the blind-spot monitor is not as useful as Mercedes since it does not make any audible sounds. Whatever you do, don't buy a BMW for a senior. I helped my late-50s mother shop for a car a few months ago, and when keeping a senior's needs and perspectives in mind BMW just absolutely does not work.

I am 76 and the BMW works just fine for me. But I would suggest making sure that whatever vehicle you get, it has a suspension that you and any regular passengers find acceptable.

The Merc may be a little harsh. I would suggest checking out a top of the line CX-5 or a Genesis.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

I am 76 and the BMW works just fine for me. But I would suggest making sure that whatever vehicle you get, it has a suspension that you and any regular passengers find acceptable.

The Merc may be a little harsh. I would suggest checking out a top of the line CX-5 or a Genesis.

I agree. My wife has a Mazda CX-5 Signature. Top of the line safety features and much less expensive than an X3.

[drdavidge]

They are looking at pre-owned and sweet spot is under 35k. They found another general used car place that let them take the cars home and Mom tried sitting in the Acura RDX and the X3 in the driveway. She liked the RDX itself better but the seat was uncomfortable (said seat was too long and angled downwards), but liked the X3 and found it more comfortable. They didn't have an X1 to try yet. Dad liked anything. I think they would take the RDX and be done with it if it were more comfortable since its cheaper and they both liked it. Too bad it won't work.

Genesis I don't know much about nor their long term reliability.

They don't like Mazda's so I can't convince them into the CX-5.

They say Mercedes is "not them". Ha.

Keep the suggestions and thoughts coming though! This is actually very helpful.

[drdavidge]

Originally Posted by Jeff01234567

when keeping a senior's needs and perspectives in mind BMW just absolutely does not work.

What specifically to keep in mind?

[BMWCCA1]

I am 68-year-old and sell cars to some who are my senior by as much as 20-years. If they need an audible alert for blind-spot—in addition to the visual warning triangle in the mirror, and the vibrating steering wheel—perhaps they shouldn't be driving at all.

By the time all cars have autonomous driving as standard, I'll still be driving and shifting my 6-speed 128i. Thank you very much for your opinion of seniors in their 50s! I own BMWs older than that.

[tracer bullet]

Couple obvious things - seat angles are usually adjustable, since they liked the RDX otherwise maybe go with them to check it out. Maybe they just didn't know or missed the tilting adjuster.

I'm a Mazda fan, I think you'll find many. You should still let them go try it out and keep yourself out of it if it's a great car for them haha

[DanG]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Couple obvious things - seat angles are usually adjustable, since they liked the RDX otherwise maybe go with them to check it out. Maybe they just didn't know or missed the tilting adjuster.

I'm a Mazda fan, I think you'll find many. You should still let them go try it out and keep yourself out of it if it's a great car for them haha

I agree. The CX-5 is a Car and Drivers top 10.

[smrtypants44]

What about a qx50?

[P1]

Neither. I'd buy an Volvo XC60. Had one for a week and was very, very impressed.

[drdavidge]

Originally Posted by P1

Neither. I'd buy an Volvo XC60. Had one for a week and was very, very impressed.

Think the digital screen controls may be too difficult for people in their 70s?

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by P1

Neither. I'd buy an Volvo XC60. Had one for a week and was very, very impressed.

I cross shopped the XC60 T8 when I got my BMW 530e. Despite all the extra HP, I found the BMW handled better and was actually faster than the Volvo.
-5
The Volvo is a good car but I think the OP can get a new CX-5 for his budget. The Grand Touring Reserve with 250 HP is at $35K. I would prefer that to a used Volvo.

[jkoral]

Recently looked at X1/X2 to replace CX-5 Signature (top trim), decided they were too small. Ended up with a 2022 X3 LCI Premium (which feels larger to me in many ways), but still gave up a bunch of features compared to the Mazda.

Under 35K and pre-owned is pretty tough if they want "luxury" (especially in this crazy market), but lots of 3 year old X1 and X2 lease returns. 3 year old X3 is tough to get under $40K unless you want high mileage. Which is why we went 2022 because I didn't want to spend almost the same money on a 2018 X3 with low miles.

[BeEmVe]

One thing to think about is how low to the ground the vehicle sits. Even for a short person getting in and out can become problematic with age.