New car for "Older Drivers"
 

Wife and I are looking to replace our Camry with a vehicle that will take us into our 70's. Similar price range as existing.

Usually buy used. Don't really need performance because I get my enjoyment from the Miata.

Accord and Camry come to mind, but someone mentioned Forester.

What do MT say?

How close are you to 70 now?

Wife is 60. We tend to buy and keep.

as a huge subaru nerd I will always advise to get a forester :)

however, you mentioned not needing anything fun, so that pretty much rules out subaru's. unless you need awd and a great year-rounder in bad weather. also - a forester is not exactly in the same class as a accord/camry

I have always been a camry fan when it comes to commuters but I haven't heard good things about the latest.

ford fusion and Mazda 6 are both good looking and practical car IMO.

Kia optima is another one I'd consider.

I just traded my 09 Mazda 3 hatch for a '13 cx-5. It's AWD, skyactive 2.0, 6 speed auto. I've been getting like 29-30 mpg's on 87 octane cruising to work and back (50 mile round trip). It's a touring package, blah blah blah, I like it so far.

I'm a buy and keep kind of guy too.
I bought a fiat 500 for the wife and have put 100k on it already. It's pretty fun to drive for a little fwd car, gets around 36 mpg and is surprisingly spacious up front (I am 6' 190lbs and I fit just fine).
The best part about it is the extended warrantee Fiat offers. It costs a little more, but ours expires in 2094 and covers anything mechanical, including things like window motors. They even tow the car if necessary and give you a rental.
The only issue we've had so far has been both wheel bearings going bad, which was covered by the warrantee. They gave me a challenger as a rental.
Also, both headlights will burn out at exactly the same time every 50k.
If you're planning on hauling passengers, it's possible, but they aren't going to be very comfortable.
I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for, but it might be worth a look.

It does snow here so awd would be utilized from time to time. Desires are softish ride, lumbar support, good visibility, dual climate control, not low to ground like the Miata (she doesn't ride in it). Not much else is a strong factor.

Cx-5 is silky smooth, has adjustable lumbar support, I'm sure you could get dual climate control as an option. I'm not telling you to run out and buy one, but it should definately be on your test drive list.
I also own a cx-7. That's 2.3 liter AWD turbo and it rips big time compared to the cx-5. There are sacrifices though...cx-7 requires premium fuel and gets like 20mpg's, while the cx-5 runs the cheap stuff and gets 30mpg's. cx-5 is pretty much a redesigned cx-7 that's way more efficient and has all the new bells and whistles.

Oh, and must be at least a real 5 passenger. Some good suggestions to think on.

My current DD is a CX-5, which is really pretty good for what it is. Comfy, OK ride, decent mileage and handling is good for what is basically an Accord on stilts. I bought it because of the AWD and mileage combo, but it's growing on me.

I've had 3 Accords in the last 20 or so years, and no complaints. Near as I can tell, the big difference between Camry and Accord is that the Camry is more old-American-car soft. Around here it's easy to find a low-miles used Accord pretty cheap, which is why I've had three.

My brother has a new 6, and is liking it a lot more than the 08 Accord it replaced. No used ones yet, though.

The Accord Sport is touted as the best all around value in new cars today. You could find a 1 year old used example but it likely won't save you that much over new. Don't let the "Sport" trim fool you, it rides just as nice as any other accord.

A guy I work with just traded his A4 for a new Accord Sport, he is very pleased

5 passenger definitely rules out the 500, although it is surprisingly good in the snow. I did try out the 4 door model and wasn't really impressed by it at all.
CX5 would definitely be on my list to test drive.

wat?

Speaking of extended warranties...my cx-5 is a certified preowned. 7 year/ 100,000 mile warranty on drivetrain.

For real. It's awesome, especially if you plan on keeping the vehicle forever.
I think Chrysler offers (or did) basically the same thing. I think it's called max care.

Driving a Legacy. Also drove an Outback, Accord, and CRV. Like the Outback best so far. Need to drive the Mazdas.

Yes, you do need to drive the Mazdas.

CX-5 is solid. Go with a touring. Save money. Plus since you own a Miata, extra $500 off any Mazda for owner loyalty.

If you don't need AWD, the new 6 is freaking sweet. Best gasoline non-hybrid MPG in its class, sweet drive, great to look at... just get a simpler model, a Sport Automatic would be perfect. Higher trims get too complex IMO.

Edit: Source: I'm an internet sales manager at a Mazda/buick/GMC/subaru/nissan/toyota/scion dealership.

My sister in law has a '14 Mazda 6, Ed is on point, its a pretty nice car.

Every old person drives a Toyota Avalon.