Every day use, and elderly mother taxi?
 

Hey all I currently have a modified Yaris. She is lowered on TRD struts and springs, TRD rear sway bar, etc. But even then its only lowered a inch or two, and still a fairly tall little car. I have an elderly mother who can walk with a cane but it's a little hard to get up and sit down for her, but she can get in and out of the Yaris on her own. I also have a fairly lowered 1990 Miata. Only with my help she can get in and out of it OK. I am guessing that the Miata is a good 4 to 6 inches lower than the FR-S/BRZ.

So my question: Does anyone out there drive their elderly parents around on a regular basis in their FR-S? For me the FR-S will have to be my every day car, diving to work, grocery shopping, going to the movies, going to friends house, moving, road trips, and driving my mom around from time to time. Every day crap we all have to do. Now that this car is out, I am also wondering how folks who have pressed their FR-S/BRZ into every day life use, are living with their car. Thanks all,

-- Jason

Unless your elderly parents are in tip top physical shape or they are very short, they will have difficulty with ingress/egress (is that the right word?).

J, based from the list of your needs, a FRS/BRZ is not the car for you. It has almost no utility due to it's size. Good luck!

Yes, I can say from personal experience that they have a hard time.

It is too low, they would have a really hard time, to impossible time, getting out of the front seat.

Agree with the others here. Not a good pick. It's not something I would try to drive my parents around in - way too low to the ground for someone in their late 60s or older if they have any difficulty with mobility.

Impossible because racecar.

NOT a good idea.......I have driven lots of sports cars over the years and the FR-S is among the LOWEST seating position...which makes it hard to get in-out....I wouldn't even consider putting my 68 year old mother (in perfect health) in it....while she could do it, its not worth the endless bitching....

I'd say keep the Yaris for driving your mother around, and the FR-S should be able to handle most of the other everyday uses. Sounds like you have at least 2 cars so you can afford to keep more than one? May not be what you want to hear but you should probably sell the Miata if you can only keep 2. Miata and FR-S would serve the same general purpose, small fun to drive 2 seat car. The only thing you lose is the convertible top. :(

p.s. I know the FR-S has 4 seats, but in my mind (and probably in most of yours) it's going to be used as a 2-seater with room for storage in the back.

My 85 year old grandpa sat in the seat and said " jesus h christ im stuck in this thing!" haha he refuses to let me drive him in it and we take his truck instead for errands and whatnot.

Thanks for all the quick replies folks. You are right, not what I wanted to hear, but honestly about what I expected to hear.

I was hoping to buy the FR-S around January after I get the Yaris paid off. Optionally, my mom has a car, and I can drive her around in her Corolla and just give her a little gas money (Yeah I know for driving her around, but her funds are limited).

Yeah I can afford the insurance and upkeep on 2 cars, but honestly after I get the FR-S I am not sure if I would keep the Miata, soft top or not. She is a fun little thing though, especially with the top down, even for a guy who is 6'3" tall.

Again thanks for all the feedback. If I keep the Yaris I am going to have to wait another year to save up enough for a down payment to buy the FR-S and keep the Yaris. Such a long time to wait.

I have a lot to think about.

-- Jason

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My 63 year old father denounces that he's too old to go for a ride in a sports car

Get a minivan, your mom and kids will love/thanks you. Sports/fun cars can wait.