YOUTH & MATURITY - Different Cars

Go back in GoodCarBadCar time to the day Car&Driver revealed the best cars for retirees. All of the cars suited seniors well; some of them managed to be suitable for young-er-ish people as well.

The Power Information Network, a subsidiary of J.D. Power, tracks the average age of buyers for each car. This is very different to C/D's suggestions - PIN's information is based on market studies. Once again, however, The Good Car Guy offers opinion, using the facts as a simple foundation. We'll expand the truth; or try to.

For the first group of cars, PIN has given us the average age and GCBC will tell you the maximum age permitted. You see some older people driving vehicles they simply don't belong in. I don't mean to discriminate or become a regulatory body, but seeing women my mother's age driving Scion tC's is akin to watching old men wear basketball shorts, a sleeveless shirt, and loud sneakers to mow the lawn. It's just wrong.

Switch it up in the second half - The Good Car Guy will set the minimum age for driver's of specific vehicles. Don't get in the driver's seat if you're any younger lest you wear shorts with brown socks in dress shoes.

Curious facts? Depending on your definition of hatchback, 8 of the 11 'youngest' cars can or must be had with a rear cargo door. 10 of the 11 'oldest' cars are American-badged; the other is a Toyota built in America. #9 on the oldest list has suffered through a 33% plummet in sales this year. Toyota has watched sales of its old car fall 19% this year.

YOUNGEST BUYERS

1 - Scion tC - Average age of buyer is 35. GCBC Max: 45 years old
2 - VW GTI - Average age of buyer is 38. GCBC Max: 52 years old
3 - Mazda 3 - Average age of of buyer is 38. GCBC Max: 90 (sedan), 55 (hatchback)
4 - Mitsubishi Lancer - Average age of buyer is 39. GCBC Max: 60
5 - VW Rabbit - Average age of buyer is 39. GCBC Max: 65
6 - Nissan Armada - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 60
7 - VW Jetta - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 60
8 - Nissan Titan - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 60
9 - Nissan Xterra - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 45
10 - Mazda 6 - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 55
11 - Toyota Yaris - Average age of buyer is 40. GCBC Max: 45

OLDEST BUYERS

1 - Ford Taurus - Average, 60. GCBC Minimum: 60
2 - Lincoln MKZ - Average, 60. GCBC Minimum: 55
3 - Toyota Avalon - Average, 60. GCBC Minimum: 59
4 - Mercury Montego - Average, 63. GCBC Minimum: 65
5 - Mercury Sable (same car) - Average, 65. GCBC Minimum: 65
6 - Ford Crown Victoria - Average, 66. GCBC Minimum: 70
7 - Cadillac DTS (must read) - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 70
8 - Buick Lucerne - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 73
9 - Buick LaCrosse/Allure - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 60
10- Mercury Grand Marquis - Average, 68. GCBC Minimum: 90
11 - Lincoln Town Car - Average, 69. GCBC Minimum: 117