The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the number of drivers 65 years and older will more than double in the next 40 years. That means that U.S. roads may be facing a safety crisis in the future, as older drivers tend to cause higher accident rates than others.

As a driver matures, their vehicle needs become different as well. It's unlikely that older drivers will be opting for a sports car, for example. According to Consumer Reports, there are a number of vehicle features that may be beneficial to older drivers looking to purchase a vehicle that may help them be safe on the road.

One of the considerations cited by the news source is ease of access. A vehicle for older drivers needs to have a number of seat configurations and ways to enter the vehicle that will make comfort a priority. A full-size SUV or pickup truck simply isn't practical for drivers with back problems, for example. Power seats are also preferable to those with a manual system, as they can be adjusted at the touch of a button.

Safety is another top priority that older drivers should consider, especially if they'll be traveling with grandkids or other family members. The vehicles chosen by the news source all have average or better reliability and perform well in government and insurance company crash tests.

Vehicles with full airbags, including side curtain, can greatly increase the protection afforded in case of a crash. The news source also notes that electronic stability control (ESC) is a must for any driver, but thankfully all vehicles made after 2012 will have this feature. Those buying a used car should be sure that their model is equipped with ESC.

Finally, one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of cars for elderly drivers is vision. Some vehicles contain numerous blind spots or even issues with the visor angle that can increase glare. In addition, the news source specified looking for a vehicle with a larger instrument panel that is easy to read.

In terms of cars that fit these requirements, the news source recommended the Hyundai Azera, Kia Rondo, Subaru Forester, and Honda's Accord sedan and Odyssey minivan.

Drivers interested in purchasing one of these vehicles may want to shop the used car market, where they can likely find them for less than new car dealerships.
 

For drivers considering a new or used vehicle purchase, price is an important consideration. However, many drivers fail to factor in what a vehicle could potentially cost them in terms of insurance prices. Anyone who has purchased a sports car will likely testify to the fact that coverage is typically more expensive for higher priced vehicles.

InsWeb, a company that provides insurance quotes from a variety of sources, recently released its list of the most and least expensive models to insure for the 2010 model year. The company compared actual quotes provided to customers over a nine-month period between January and September of 2010. The list was limited to vehicles under $80,000, with the conceit that high-end luxury vehicles or supercars would be among the priciest vehicles to insure.

Yet the rates quoted to drivers don't always correspond to the price of the vehicle. This is often a starting point – a pricier vehicle contains more expensive equipment to be replaced – but it is by no means reflective of the final figure. In fact, "loss history" plays a much greater role in determining insurance premiums.

Loss history is essentially the rate of accidents and damage suffered by a model throughout its history. While this reflects the model, the type of driver also comes into play. Muscle cars like the Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro can be expensive, but so can top-of-the-line pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans. The difference is that the Mustang is much more likely to be driven by an aggressive driver who likes to go fast, leading to a higher accident rate.

The most expensive vehicle to insure was the Acura ZDX, according to the company. That model was closely followed by the Audi TT, Audi A5, Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Corvette. Other popular models making the high-priced insurance list include the BMW Z4, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan 370z and the afoermentioned Mustang and Camaro.

On the other hand, the Kia Sedona minivan was named the least expensive car, with the Mazda5, Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mercury Mariner rounding out the top 5. The Ford Explorer, Toyota Tacoma and Honda Element were among the other models cited for their cheap insurance rates.

"It's no coincidence that the majority of the most expensive vehicles to insure are performance vehicles," said Brad Cooper, Senior Vice President of Operations at InsWeb. "It’s very possible that the types of drivers that purchase these vehicles are more aggressive by nature, which could lead to a higher likelihood of claims on these vehicles. On the other end of the spectrum, most of the vehicles on the least expensive to insure list are minivans, wagons and small SUVs. Those vehicle types are often preferred by individuals with families—perhaps the least likely drivers to engage in risky driving behavior."

Buyers interested in purchasing a vehicle should consider the affect that their purchase could have on their insurance. Those interested in a high-performance car should probably not call off their purchase, but may want to shop the used car market in order to get the best deal and save money. 

Over the years, car brands become known for certain traits. Volvos have a reputation for safety, BMWs and Mercedes are refined, while Ford has always had powerful trucks and muscle cars. Yet as the auto industry changes, brands are looking to shake up consumer's perceptions as well.

Car and Driver recently examined some of the top cars set to debut in the next few years that may alter drivers' perceptions of a brand's reputation. At the same time, the news source also mentioned a few of the older vehicles, which can now be found on the used market, that were similar game-changers for their company.

One of the cars chosen was the new Hyundai Equus, as the South Korean automaker typically known for more affordable automobiles is looking to jump into the luxury market. With a $58,000 price tag, Apple iPad owners manual and valet maintenance service included, the brand just might have hit on the small details that many luxury drivers are willing to pay extra for.

The news source says that Hyundai is looking to avoid the pitfalls of the Volkswagen Phaeton, the automaker's attempt at a luxury model. This $70,000 extra-roomy car was a catastrophe in the U.S., although Volkswagen successfully sold the car in Europe, where its still popular. Instead, Hyundai is hoping that the new Equus will go the way of the Lexus LS400. This classic car was Toyota's first attempt at a luxury vehicle and it succeeded beyond the company's wildest expectations, eventually launching an entire brand that is still the most popular luxury nameplate in the U.S. today.

Speaking of Lexus, the luxury brand is looking to go even more upscale with the introduction of its $375,000 supercar, the Lexus LFA. Lexus' cars are typically known for their smooth ride rather than their race-day chops, but the LFA is looking to change that. The car is a substantial upgrade for anything the automaker has offered before, including the IS F, which was previously the fastest Lexus.

Mercedes took a similar strategy with the SLR McClaren, but the news source says the car was too conservative and not enough of an upgrade over the existing vehicles in the lineup. One car that Lexus might be hoping to emulate is the Ford GT. Ford had never made a supercar, but the GT sold like hotcakes and Ford still produces plenty of them today.

Buick is looking to change its reputation as an "old-man car" with the new Regal GS. The new offering from GM features a turbocharged engine, manual transmission and all-wheel drive, making it a performance-focused machine that Buick is not typically known for. GM could be hoping to duplicate the recent success it has had with the second-generation Cadillac CTS, which continues to be a bonafide smash hit for the company.

Innovation is great, but ultimately a good car is a good car. That's why so many of these classic vehicles succeeded. Drivers in the market for a vehicle may want to wait and try out one of these "game-changers" when they hit showrooms, but they should keep in mind that they can likely find the critically-acclaimed cars of yesteryear on the used car market for a substantially lower price.