No-one wants to think about the prospect of buying or owning their “last car”, but it’s a reality that most people experience when they’ve been retired for a while and are well into their senior years.
While your current car might last you many more years, you need to consider your comfort and safety as you grow older, which is where the need for buying a “last car” branches from. We’re going to look at a few things you need to consider when choosing the last car you’re going to retire in.
Durban in KwaZulu Natal has become a popular retirement city in South Africa because of its year-round warm weather and beautiful beaches. For this reason, we will include considerations of retiring in Durban as a contributing factor to the car you choose as your last car.
Reliability and affordability
Sports cars might seem like the ideal retirement vehicle because it’s the ultimate “treat yourself” after years of hard work, and would look beautiful driving along the coastal roads. But it’s not the most practical option. You need a car that is reliable and that you can afford to finance.
With that in mind, looking for used cars for sale in Durban and surrounds is likely your best option at finding both a reliable and affordable car. Browsing at Durban used car dealerships will provide you with a variety of vehicle options and price ranges. It’s important to calculate your budget beforehand and even secure pre-approved financing so that you don’t end up with a car you cannot afford and debt that could pass along to other family members.
Certified used cars can provide you with everything you could possibly need in a retirement vehicle. There are plenty of pre-owned new-model vehicles with all the latest car accessories and safety gadgets. It is possible that you’ll be able to “treat yourself” to something nice after all, just something more practical for everyday use and not only long drives along Marine Drive. As well as something more affordable that won’t put a dent in your pension.
You will also have the opportunity to trade in your current vehicle and put that value towards a new used car which will make the monthly payments even more affordable. As for reliability, look to the Hyundai, Toyota, Honda and Mazda brands. These are known for their production of sturdy and reliable cars which is what you’re going to need.
Comfort and convenience aspects
The older we get, the more fragile our bodies become and we require more comfort and stability. When it comes to choosing a car, you need to make sure it’s comfortable enough to support you where you need to be supported, and doesn’t require a compromised seating position to operate.
Other comfort and convenience aspects to consider also include the ease of getting in and out of the car, a high (or, at the least, adjustable) seat for clear vision through the windscreen and an automatic boot that can open via your car remote-key. It may seem insignificant right now, but even the smallest convenience can make your life easier and not put extra amounts of stress on your body that it, otherwise, can’t handle.
And it’s not only about protecting your body but it’s also an ergonomic car design that was specifically made to be more convenient while ensuring there’s no need to exert ourselves.
Safety features
The main reason why you need to upgrade your wheels for your retirement period is to be able to take advantage of the latest safety features. It’s no secret that hearing, eyesight and reaction times are affected by ageing. And when it comes to road safety, especially on South Africa’s roads, you can never have enough.
For your safety as well as the safety of other drivers on the roads, you need to find cars for sale in Durban that have as many safety features as possible.
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB): With the use of cameras and sensors, AEB is a failsafe that will perform an emergency brake in the event the driver is unaware of the imminent accident. The camera and sensors are able to detect the objects in front of the car (mostly other vehicles and pedestrians) and percept the distance between the object and your car. If your car gets to close and you show no signs of braking, the AEB will kick in to prevent the accident.
- Blind spot detection: Over the years people have found ways around having to check your blind spot – none of which are as effective as simply checking your blind spot. Except with blind spot detection, which will signal a warning when there is an approaching car in your blind spot when your indicator is on and you’re wanting to turn or change lanes.
- Lane departure warning: This safety feature ensures that you stay safe in your lane and don’t drift off between lanes (without indicating) or into oncoming traffic. The lane departure warning system can also include lane keep assist (that will automatically correct you in your lane if you start drifting) and lane centring assist.
Choosing your “last car” comes down to affordability, convenience and safety, and are the best vehicle features to invest in regardless of your age.
Road Safety and the Elderly / Older Road Users http://t.co/JjRp2krTol Using experience to be safe on the road! pic.twitter.com/kuw8zvVATd
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) August 9, 2014