WWMLD: Car Edition

[mrsslocombe]

TL;DR, which car would you sell: 2008 Ford Focus or 2015 Buick Encore?

Background info: We live in Brooklyn, do not own a car. My FIL lives in assisted living outside Philadelphia, though we are still maintaining his house in that area. MIL died last November. ILs owned two cars, a 2008 Ford Focus and 2015 Buick Encore, which are currently parked at the house. We need a car to take my FIL to appointments, run errands, etc. But we are thinking about selling one of them, since we don't need two and it would be one less thing to maintain. Neither car has ever been in an accident or had any issues other than typical maintenance. Both cars are owned outright, no leasing or loans.


2008 Focus: about 53k miles
Pros for keeping:
-larger trunk than the Encore (we have been clearing out the house, so lots of runs to the recycling center, donation centers, etc). 
-Easier for my FIL to get in and out of (no step up)
-Drives better (the Buick has absolutely no oomph, takes forever to get up to speed, etc.)
-We'd get more money selling the other one (though finances are not a primary concern)

Cons for keeping:
-Older, so concerned that it could crap out sooner
-Fewer features (no back up camera, heated seats, etc)

2015 Buick Encore: about 26k miles
Pros for keeping:
-Newer, with fewer miles, so theoretically would last longer
-More features (does have a back up camera, heated seats, car play, etc)

Cons for keeping:
-Harder for my FIL to get into/out of. He currently uses a walker. And concerned that as his health declines this will only get worse.
-less storage capacity



Honestly, I think we'd prefer to keep the Focus but are worried that it will have more issues in the long term.  My FIL is 87 and not in great health, but could truck along for 5+ years or something could happen and he dies in a few weeks. 

[TR]

Sell the Buick. The Focus has low miles and it doesn’t sound like it will get a ton of use. Keep up with the maintenance and I don’t see why it can’t last you the remainder of your FIL’s life.

[katfco]

If the Focus runs well and is best for your FIL right now, I’d sell the Encore, but put that money into a savings account to be ready to buy a new car when the Focus does crap out.

[lust2hart]

I'm surprised that FIL has an easier time getting in/out of the Focus as opposed to the Encore! My parents literally fall into our cars and seem to have to really heave themselves out of it, as opposed to their SUV. But anyway, I wouldn't be concerned that the Focus will crap out before you're ready; considering how you're using it, I think it will last for as long as you need it to.

[charlatti]

Since the main use would be getting your FIL around, I’d keep the car that is easier for him to get in and out of.

[plutosmoon]

My mom has a similar year focus (I think hers is a 2006), with about 100k miles. She loves that car, it runs well and she has had very few issues over the years. It's a workhorse. Keep the focus since it's easier for him to ride in, sell the Buick. I think that car has will last for as long as you need it.

[sometimesrunner]

If he has trouble getting into the Buick now, imagine how difficult it would be in 5+ years. I'd sell the Buick.

[ellipses84]

I’d keep the focus. You should have at least another 50k miles before you have any problems with it and I’m assuming that’s like another 8-16 years at the rate you are using them. I do love a back up camera and heated seats but if the car is not functional for him, that’s not going to work, and a backup camera isn’t that critical in a small car.

[lab7979]

Amazon sells some assist devices like handles, rotating and lift cushions, riser steps etc. to assist people getting in and out of vehicles. I imagine both of these vehicles will present challenges to him eventually.

[gottadobe]

Oct 9, 2024 10:37:37 GMT -5 lust2hart said:

I'm surprised that FIL has an easier time getting in/out of the Focus as opposed to the Encore! My parents literally fall into our cars and seem to have to really heave themselves out of it, as opposed to their SUV. But anyway, I wouldn't be concerned that the Focus will crap out before you're ready; considering how you're using it, I think it will last for as long as you need it to.

This.  My FIL preferred my CRV to H's sedan for just this reason.  Especially after he broke his hip.

[bcv513]

I love my 2016 Focus and plan on driving it until it can't be get fixed. I also have mobility issues and my Focus is so much easier to get in and out of than other sedans. It's surprisingly high. Much higher than my mom's Camry for example.

[fernweh]

Keep the one that’s easier for him. I don’t think age will factor into how long it will last as long as it has been well maintained. It’s low miles so the normal stuff that starts wearing out isn’t at that point yet.

[Aloe Vera]

Keep the Focus. It still has relatively low mileage and I don't think you will add a ton in the next few years. If you do regular maintenance, it should last you for a while.

[jac]

I answered with a SS. It depends on the money situation and if Medicare is in your FIL's future. If he's able to pay for assisted living without need of Medicare, then sell the Focus. The Encore will have better resale. If Medicare is being used and/or will be needed, selling both cars and buying a brand new (or the most expensive car that can be afforded). Medicare views cars as an asset and will let you keep it should Medicare be required to help with assisted living costs.

[midwestmama]

I voted for selling the Buick based on ease of getting in and out of it for your FIL. (As much as it pains me to say that, because usually I would pick a Buick over a Ford any day. I've had 3 Buicks and loved everyone one of them, and hated the one Ford I had, lol.) However, if there is a financial advantage to keeping the car that is worth more, then hang on to the Buick and sell the Ford.

[mrsslocombe]

Thanks everyone. Medicare/finances are not a concern, thankfully. Other than not wanting to have to buy a new car that we drive less than 1,000 miles a year.

My grandmothers also couldn't get into/out of SUVs or minivans, only sedans. They couldn't step up to get in, the sedan they could lower into. My FIL still gets into/out of chairs, bed, etc all day so he keeps up to some degree with those muscles. But does not have any steps or practice stepping up at the assisted living, so he's pretty much lost that ability. The Focus was also "his" car and the Buick was my MIL's so maybe he also feels more comfortable with it.

We know basically nothing about cars so no idea how long they typically last.

[stemmie]

Snowflake.

How often do you actually need to drive FIL to appointments? Weekly? Monthly? Every couple of months? Do you use the car when you visit him in the facility? Does his facility not offer car service to appointments? Is his condition such that you expect increasing mobility issues?

Unless you need a car when you visit or are driving him routinely, I'd be inclined to sell both vehicles and rant something as needed. Cars driven sporadically tend to become unreliable. DH and I share a car-- if we need a second, we rent one or use Uber. It's way cheaper than maintaining and insuring a second car. YMMV.

Not long after dad went into care, his mobility became such that we hired medical transport for appointments as it was safer for him and us. We could meet him or ride along.

[mrsslocombe]

Oct 9, 2024 15:14:26 GMT -5 stemmie said:

Snowflake.

How often do you actually need to drive FIL to appointments? Weekly? Monthly? Every couple of months? Do you use the car when you visit him in the facility? Does his facility not offer car service to appointments? Is his condition such that you expect increasing mobility issues?

Unless you need a car when you visit or are driving him routinely, I'd be inclined to sell both vehicles and rant something as needed. Cars driven sporadically tend to become unreliable. DH and I share a car-- if we need a second, we rent one or use Uber. It's way cheaper than maintaining and insuring a second car. YMMV.

Not long after dad went into care, his mobility became such that we hired medical transport for appointments as it was safer for him and us. We could meet him or ride along.

It's...complicated. 

H goes to PA 2-3 times a month (every week/every other week). A lot of it is dealing with the estate and home maintenance, but also to visit his father. H feels like he has to be at the house at least every two weeks to make sure it's "ok." His father does not have that many appointments, thankfully. Maybe once a month or once every couple of months. His facility does not offer transportation, and Uber is not an option to take him because we can't control the kind of car that comes. He has Parkinsons so yes, we expect his mobility to deteriorate. 

We are currently not selling the house because H needs a place to stay/work when he's there. It's not really feasible for him to go to PA/come back to NYC in the same day, so he'd be spending a small fortune in hotels and ubers if we didn't have the house and car.

If we got rid of the house, I think H would still feel like he needs to visit his father a couple times a month. He's an only child and his father doesn't get many other visitors. 

[stemmie]

It sounds like your DH needs a car at his disposal. mrsslocombe, my grandmother had Parkinson's. She did best with dad's old Town Car or vintage Chryslers with the leather seats. Cloth seats were a no-go for her. I'd keep the Escort and replace it with similar if it starts to act up.

[bugandbibs]

As someone who loves their 2015 Buick Encore, I am loath to say sell it, but if it's harder for him to get in and out of then you should. I wouldn't sell both cars since when you rent you can't control which car you get (only class when you make the reservation) and with his mobility issues I wouldn't want the hassle.

FYI- You can fold down the seat flat in the back if that helps you with cargo space. We do it all the time to transport a cello.

[leahcar]

I’m a minivan owner because my mother with Parkinson’s couldn’t handle my SUV.

Keep the Focus. His mobility will only get worse. Both cars should be low enough mileage to do what you need them to for years with regular maintenance. YH should drive it once a week, ideally, but I wouldn’t stress over the occasional longer period. Sitting without use is really bad for a car.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Focus for sure. For mobility reasons alone. If something happens to it, you can figure it out later.

You’re taking great care of him btw.