Best Cars For the Retired Lifestyle

As you prepare for retirement, you will make many changes to you finances, your lifestyle, the location of your residence and more. One factor that is easy to overlook until the last minute or even until after you have entered retirement is your car. Today’s retirees are very mobile. Some have plans to tour the country by car or to commute back and forth between summer and winter homes. Others simply want to enjoy running around town and enjoying a casual lifestyle on their own terms. Regardless of the type of life that you plan to enjoy in retirement, you need to select a car that is fully functional and perfectly ideal for all of your needs. As you search for a new car, consider some of the top options based on specific criteria that you may be focused on.

Affordability

Finances are a hot button for many retirees, and it is understandable that you want to find a truly affordable vehicle to drive. There are many factors that impact the affordability of a vehicle. These include the sales price, the fuel efficiency, the cost of insurance, maintenance costs and more. Some of the leading quality cars that are available on the market for a reasonable price are the Ford Fusion, Kia Optima and Mazda 3. Keep in mind that these are only a few of the many affordable cars that have a great reputation for being reliable and stylish as well.

Functionality

Some retirees have plans to travel extensively, to golf regularly or to enjoy other plans. When your retirement plans include toting around suitcases, golf clubs or other large, bulky items regularly, it makes sense to purchase a larger vehicle that is functional for a wide range of purposes. You may even have plans to tow a travel trailer behind your RV for camping. Some of the leading vehicles to consider when you are looking for value combined with functionality are the Buick Enclave, the Chevy Equinox and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Passenger Seating and Cargo Space

When you think ahead to how you plan to spend your retirement, you may already know that you plan to spend ample time with family and friends. Purchasing a smaller car for this purpose may not be a practical idea. The good news is that there are numerous quality vehicles available that have exceptional space for passenger seating and even storage. The Toyota Sienna, for example, is a larger vehicle that is practical for passenger seating as well as cargo space. If you prefer to drive a roomy sedan in retirement, the Hyundai Sonata and the Honda Accord are both known for their spacious interior and overall quality. Remember that many sedans and even smaller SUVs have a fold-down back seating area. When you need passenger seating or cargo space, rather than passenger seating along with cargo space at the same time, using a vehicle with a fold-down backseat makes sense.

Pleasure

For some retirees, this is a time in life when you can throw practicality to the wind. You have worked hard your entire life, and now you are ready to enjoy life. There are many excellent options to consider if you are looking for a car designed for pleasure driving and luxury. For example, the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Corvette and the Honda 2016 S2000 are a few of the top models to consider. These are flashy vehicles that will turn heads, and they also are known for excellent performance on the road. In addition, you can even purchase these vehicles in a convertible style for added fun on the road.

If you are planning to purchase a new car soon for transportation in your retirement years, it is important to think through how you plan to use the car and your budget. You also should focus on finding a car that you truly enjoy driving, and consider throwing practicality to the wind.