My 84 year old dad wants to buy a new car - discuss.

[Anonymous]

Is it the same poster who keeps mentioning mowing down kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see the problem. If he wants a new car and can afford it, he should get one.

You don't see the problem? You must have the eyesight of an 84-year-old then.

[Anonymous]

My father-in law bought a new car when he was in his late 80s. He drove it for a few years and then gave up the keys and sold the car because he didn't want to take a chance of hurting someone as he was getting older. Amazing man who always puts others in front of himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all. Dad lives alone (divorced), he’s 100% mentally there and has some balance issues but otherwise healthy. Is pretty active - cooks, goes to the gym, etc. His current car just went kaput so he needs a new set of wheels.

Part of me feels like this makes no sense at all and he should lease, part of me thinks “good for him!”, and still another parr of me thinks, “it doesn’t really matter what I think - it’s his life and his money.”

But still - 84 + new car? What would others do here? Say something? Keep out of it?

FWIW Dad and I have a very good relationship.

My folks are 82 and 83, respectively. No major physical or mental issues. I don't think we'd even have a discussion. They would just go buy a new car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you always make blanket assumptions? At 85, a family member was still skiing and sailing. Just turned 100 and may get a new car. People are smarter about longevity now. 100 is the new 70.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all. Dad lives alone (divorced), he’s 100% mentally there and has some balance issues but otherwise healthy. Is pretty active - cooks, goes to the gym, etc. His current car just went kaput so he needs a new set of wheels.

Part of me feels like this makes no sense at all and he should lease, part of me thinks “good for him!”, and still another parr of me thinks, “it doesn’t really matter what I think - it’s his life and his money.”

But still - 84 + new car? What would others do here? Say something? Keep out of it?

FWIW Dad and I have a very good relationship.

My folks are 82 and 83, respectively. No major physical or mental issues. I don't think we'd even have a discussion. They would just go buy a new car.

You don't consider a lack of sound judgement to be a mental issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so irresponsible and dangerous. 84 year olds shouldn't be driving. This is how we end up with cars crashing through pedestrians or into buildings/homes.

At least make him take and pass a real driving test before buying a vehicle.

Do you always make blanket assumptions? At 85, a family member was still skiing and sailing. Just turned 100 and may get a new car. People are smarter about longevity now. 100 is the new 70.

No, it's not. And 70 is already very old. And look at the world's most famous 81-year-old.

[Anonymous]

OP did not post that his driving is a concern. This was a consumer question, a wise financial purchase or not. We don't know if she should be concerned re: his driving. At 80, I would be. I have told my kids, at 80, to take my keys. Maybe I'll live to regret saying that.

But the point is, Op asked a question and it was a financial one.

[Anonymous]

My 84-year-old mother bought a new car when she was about 80. She drives up and down the coast from Florida to visit me here in Virginia. She's even driven up to Connecticut.

It's her money, she can do what she wants to.

[Anonymous]

Please no. 84 he really should not be driving.

[Anonymous]

It's safer for him to get a new car than a used one. New ones have a lot of safety features. If he's healthy and was driving up to now, what exactly do you expect him to do without a car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're isn't anything to discuss. If he can safely drive and has the money, he's fine. Don't be greedy

This. I do think OP has a right to intervene if they are closing in on the point where they will have to take away the keys (old or new). But nothing in OP's post suggested this, so I'm on Team MYOB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're isn't anything to discuss. If he can safely drive and has the money, he's fine. Don't be greedy

This. I do think OP has a right to intervene if they are closing in on the point where they will have to take away the keys (old or new). But nothing in OP's post suggested this, so I'm on Team MYOB.

Did you miss the part where she said he's 84-years-old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're isn't anything to discuss. If he can safely drive and has the money, he's fine. Don't be greedy

This. I do think OP has a right to intervene if they are closing in on the point where they will have to take away the keys (old or new). But nothing in OP's post suggested this, so I'm on Team MYOB.

Did you miss the part where she said he's 84-years-old?

If his previous car didn't die, he would still be driving it around. These are two separate things - whether he is fit to drive and whether he should get a new car to replace the old one. OP does not say that they think he is unsafe driving. OP only mentions whether or not to get a new car and thinks leasing would be a better option (indicating her question is more about finances).

Personally I think all seniors should require driving tests every 5 years between 60-75 and every 2 years after that. But that's not what this thread is about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're isn't anything to discuss. If he can safely drive and has the money, he's fine. Don't be greedy

This. I do think OP has a right to intervene if they are closing in on the point where they will have to take away the keys (old or new). But nothing in OP's post suggested this, so I'm on Team MYOB.

Did you miss the part where she said he's 84-years-old?

If his previous car didn't die, he would still be driving it around. These are two separate things - whether he is fit to drive and whether he should get a new car to replace the old one. OP does not say that they think he is unsafe driving. OP only mentions whether or not to get a new car and thinks leasing would be a better option (indicating her question is more about finances).

Personally I think all seniors should require driving tests every 5 years between 60-75 and every 2 years after that. But that's not what this thread is about.

The implication of the OP is that she doesn't think he'll be capable of driving for much longer. Which itself suggests she's not sure how safe it currently is.

Which, of course is going to be a concern. The father is 84 years old. That's older than Trump and Biden. Would you want to see either of them driving on public roads?