Alternate car for longtime Oldsmobile owner?

[76cutlasssupreme]

This is sort of a random post, but I'm curious what your other car is besides an Oldsmobile.

Some background: my husband's grandparents are now in their 80s and we all feel that Grandpa shouldn't be driving his huge 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham anymore. He can drive fine, but this car is not easy to maneuver and it lacks all the latest safety features.

So, while we have finally convinced them that it might be time to get a car with airbags that one can easily parallel park, I wonder what kind of car would satisfy someone accustomed to driving an Oldsmobile Cutlass with its 350 HP engine. I highly doubt he'll be happy with a Honda Accord or some other "mass market" car. If it helps at all, his second car, which he drives most days for city driving, is a 1985 Nissan 300ZX. But it's tough for him to climb in and out of that car (he's had both hips replaced). So I think we're veering away from the low ground clearance sports cars.

So what do you all drive in addition to your Oldsmobile that you're happy with? Any suggestions?

I also have been delegated the task of selling the old car. I'll go post a thread in Classifieds to list it, but would appreciate any other tips, too (preferably free methods). Thanks in advance for your help.

[MagicRat]

I saw those pics in your other thread. Very nice car. One tiny note; they never made a 350 hp engine for those. Most likely you mean a 350 cubic inch displacement engine. For that year those engines were rated at between 140 to 170 hp, depending on the supplier (Buick or Oldsmobile) and carburetor size.

It's difficult to determine personal preferences for a new car. A new car that is closest to the Oldsmobile in size comfort and performance would be a Mercury Grand Marquis; but they have the same driving difficulties the Olds has.

For ease of entry and exit and ease of driving, I might suggest a Honda Element, Scion xA or xB, Saturn Relay etc.
This type of compact minivan layout is easy to get into, has truly excellent visiblilty and is short and manoeverable to make driving very easy. Also they have larger interiors than the Olds so it won't feel like a small or cheap little car.
Good luck.

[76cutlasssupreme]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

I saw those pics in your other thread. Very nice car. One tiny note; they never made a 350 hp engine for those. Most likely you mean a 350 cubic inch displacement engine. For that year those engines were rated at between 140 to 170 hp, depending on the supplier (Buick or Oldsmobile) and carburetor size.

Thanks so much for the correction. I'll go fix it now!

[GFORCE1956]

I would like to offer you 2800, I did not see a price so there it is and I will take god care of the car. Back from Iraq and looking for a good very special automobile.
Thanks
EG