She doesn't NEED a new car. Maybe she just WANTS a new car. I assume it is her money - if it gives her pleasure then let her spend it.
The problem is the reason she cites for changing car - the 'cost' of 'fixing' the existing one's 'problems', all of which are minor and are ordinary wear and tear items, costing far less than buying a new one.
Forum members often use man maths to justify the answers they want - with cars it may be about the absolute need for particular gizmos, performance levels, design features. Rarely capable of financial or even (sometimes) rational explanation.
True, then why are they asking if they already know the answer won't be liked by the person in question.
Assuming her "want" is affordable, take her round a few garages to see what is available. She may decide (a) she doesn't like any of them, (b) she likes the most comfortable, (c) actually a screen is rather fun.
Or to prove to her that what she's got is fine and can be easily and cheaply fixed, leaving her bank balance in a far more healthy state than shelling out for a new one.
To some 80 is ancient. But assuming she is still capable of driving, and has a working brain she should choose (with your informed support), not have a solution foisted upon her.
True, but if she's genuinely asking for an honest opinion, then giving one she may not like but needs to hear is very important. Enabling a bad choice just to keep someone (in the short term) happy at the expense of the longer term, especially when they may have little experience in the matter is a bad way to go.
Ironically, from my experience, most people of that age actually appreciate their existing, less complex cars more than the tech-laden new ones, would want to keep their cash and thus normally would actively WANT to try to keep their existing car well maintained rather than buying a new one.
To me, she likely hasn't thought this through, and thus DOES need guidance. She's free to ignore it, of course.
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