For some reason she has her heart set on an Avalon. Her current car is an 04 Crown Vic with about 150k miles. She probably needs a Corolla the way she drives (80 yrs old). I'm trying to steer her towards a 07 or newer S550. This is probably going to be her last car. She is not looking at purchasing brand new, couple/few years old is fine. An S550 would be nice and I feel I could maintain it for her. thoughts?

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Jim

I have an Avalon. Older one. Probably the most dependable car I have ever owned. Large rear seat. Wider front seats than a Camry. Damn fine car, but boring.

From a purely utilitarian standpoint, that Crown Vic will easily outlast its driver. My mom's last car was a 2000 Grand Marquis (same car badged as a Mercury). Mom is gone, but the Mercury is still going.

However, if she has the money and wants to spend it, and for some odd reason really wants an Avalon, I can think of no good reason not to get one.

That said, if I were to make an ordered list of cars based on how much I would like to own or drive them, an Avalon would be way down the list, somewhere below the Trabant and the Yugo. Any S-class that isn't a W116 would be pretty far down the list too, but considerably higher.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

There is no doubt that the Crown Vic will last as long as she is going to be driving but she wants to upgrade and she can afford it.

I'm going to try to get her to test drive a 09 E350 with low miles.

It is not as much about having/driving something dependable as it is staying up with the clique in the town where her jewelry store is located. I tried to talk her into looking at a Camry but it is not in the right position with the clique.

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Jim

Avalons are nice. They are rock solid and dependable. Would be a superb choice.

I'm sure we will be checking out an Avalon over the next few days.

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Jim

Does she want a Avalon because of Frankie Avalon?

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Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

Hell, if it's her last car go for the S550. You can repair it too, right? No brainer. Have some fun!

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

The Avalon will be fine. It's very durable and more than comfortable.

If you steer her away from her preferred choice, for your own desires, you'll never hear the end of it.

And, YOU have to repair and maintain the S550............not such an easy task with that model. It'll probably cost you a bunch of money in diagnostic equipment if it decides to go south.

She is going to struggle with all the electronic doodads on the cars out now versus the Crown Vic. The 04 Crown Vic is probably the longest she has ever owned a car.

That is what I'm thinking Swede.

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Jim

Way to set yourself up Jim.

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I had a reply typed out and then realized I was thinking of Mickey Avalon. Oops

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I would check out the Lexus GS if she wants something the size of an E-Class.


With that said, the toys and gizmos in the S550 are super easy to use.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Have the Crown Vic thoroughly serviced and then spend $300 bucks for a super good detailing. If it looks and runs like new, maybe she can be convinced to keep it.

At just 150k it should be anvil reliable - the police and taxi companies pound them to death but they keep going! Plus they are roomy spacious and comfortable.

LOTS of valid and good reasons for seniors to drive them. the gauges and dials are simple to read and understand ane the speedometer gauges are big for elderly eyes to see.

And, if you forget to turn off the turn sigtnals, these cars (later ones) have an audible warning chime that comew on in a couple of minutes to remind you to turn them off!)

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

When my mom wrecked her 01 Buick at age 80 I helped her get another almost identical but two years newer. I got it from the Toyota dealer for less than wholesale including a new set of tires.

She drove it for about another year and gave up her license. I think she sold it for more than we paid for it.

I didn't want to worry about her learning a new set of controls and so forth so got the same car basically with less miles.

For that reason it might be a good idea to consider keeping with a newer crown vic or the merc version if you can find a good low miles one. (I imagine there are quite a few out there with low miles owned by octogenarians).

That said I don't know how you could go wrong with the avalon either.

We just got the Mrs. a HOnda Fit. Its easy to get in and out of and very nice to drive. Inexpensive to buy and hopefully to operate too with excellent resale. It might not have the right cache though with her circle though.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.