Luxury Cars
We can certainly understand the appeal of owning a luxury vehicle. They look amazing, offer thrilling performances, and usually boast comfy interiors. Why wouldn't a retiree want to buy one? But we'll be honest here — older drivers should absolutely avoid these cars. They can quickly turn into financial black holes.
Yep, it can be pretty costly maintaining a luxury vehicle. The repair bills are no joke! And neither are the premium gas costs. On top of that, these cars depreciate much quicker than standard models, which is more bad news for your bank balance. That retirement nest egg of yours will feel a lot lighter when all's said and done.
Sports Cars
It's hard to turn your nose up at a sports car, right? These vehicles are incredibly exciting, producing awesome performances on the road. They're not the worst things to gawk at, either! Yet retired motorists should consider their options before going down this route. And we don't just mean in a financial sense.
Sports cars really aren't that practical for retirees. The limited cargo space and harsh suspension systems take their toll. And that's before we even touch on the low seating. If you suffer with bad joints, you'll have a heck of a time getting in and out of these vehicles. Why put yourself through all that stress?
Full-Size Pickup Trucks
Full-size pickup trucks are very hard to ignore, wouldn't you agree? Vehicles such as the Ford F-150 and the RAM 1500 can be incredibly imposing on the road. Now for a retired driver, that might sound pretty appealing. But is it a worthy investment? We have our doubts, to be honest.
Large trucks can be challenging to own at the best of times. For a retiree, though? Oh boy! The elevated cabins won't be ideal, while parking in confined spaces isn't easy, either. Fuel costs have to be factored in as well. These vehicles are known to guzzle gas over time. That'll eat into your savings before long.
Compact Cars
There's a lot to like about compact cars. They often have a tremendous fuel economy, sport eye-catching looks, and rarely give you problems on the parking-front. That sounds ideal for older drivers, right? But it's not all perfect. Motors such as the Mini Cooper and the Smart Fortwo have their issues...
If you're a retiree who values their space in a vehicle, then you'll hate smaller compact cars. Their interiors can be extremely cramped. Low seating is another problem. Much like with sports cars, getting in and out won't be straightforward. So that lack of comfort should be a huge red flag. Mid-size motors are a better bet, folks!
Older Used Cars
Is there anything wrong with shopping on the used market? Not at all! You could bag a real bargain here, saving thousands in the process. Having said that, you've got to do your research. If you don't, you might be drawn into a money pit that drains your retirement nest egg. We're going to help you avoid that, though!
The older car models on the lot should be swerved. Sure, they may be dirt cheap, but they're a bit of a risk. How long until a mechanical problem crops up? In addition to that, the safety systems usually leave a lot to be desired, too. Can you do without blind-spot monitoring, or other modern features? Look for newer used vehicles instead, folks.
Off-Road Vehicles
Off-road vehicles are great if you love traveling across rural landscapes. But are they practical enough for regular roads alone? Probably not. On that note, retirees should probably avoid motors like the Jeep Wrangler at their local dealership. It extends beyond a lack of practicality, though.
Compared to other vehicles, off-road models don't offer the smoothest of rides on highways or city streets. They're also extremely thirsty, so you'll be visiting the gas station on a frequent basis. Your wallet will hate that! The rollover risks can't be ignored, either.
High-Performance SUVs
Hands up if you're a fan of high-performance SUVs. We don't blame you — there's a lot to admire about them. Are they the greatest choice of vehicle for a retired driver, though? Maybe not! Despite their luxurious features, these SUVs can cause significant financial headaches before long.
Due to the questionable reliability of certain models, high-performance SUVs can be very expensive to fix. And routine maintenance costs? Oh man. Brake servicing, tire changes, and other standard jobs don't come cheap. Normal SUVs are much friendlier on the money-front. They're the ones to target.
Convertibles
We won't beat around the bush here — convertibles are very attractive vehicles. Who hasn't pictured themselves driving one of these things on a beautiful day? For an older driver, this may seem like the perfect car to use during their retirement. But it isn't. At all!
You've got to remember, folks — convertibles usually have limited interior space. They can get quite cramped. The tiny trunks and questionable insulation doesn't help, either. And the low seating? A retiree's worst nightmare! The tight doors only add to the discomfort.
Two-Door Coupes
From the Dodge Challenger to the Bentley Continental GT, there isn't a lack of stylish two-door coupes on the market today. But should older drivers look to invest in these vehicles? We don't think so. They can be more trouble than they're worth for retirees.
Accessing the rear seats can be frustrating and a little unsafe. Do you have the space to step over the folded driver's seat with no problems? Then there's the doors. These things are absolutely huge and usually weigh a ton. Opening them in tight spots can get dicey!
High-Mileage Hybrids
Do hybrid models make for good retirement vehicles? We'd say so. For one thing, they can save you a bunch of money on fuel. Yet research is key here. If you don't do your due diligence on the used market, you could be left in a tricky spot.
Picking up a used hybrid car with high-mileage is a big no-no. We're talking 100,000 miles-plus. The battery life in these vehicles can be iffy due to their constant use, meaning you'll probably have to replace it. And take it from us, folks — hybrid batteries are very expensive.
Through: Navigator84 / Wikimedia Commons