Auto Club

Posted on: Fri, Jun 20 2008 9:12 PM

Posted by: silverstar77 Posts: 1

The lease on my car is up in a few months and I am starting to look for a new vehicle.  I currently drive a 2005 Toyota Matrix which I love, I find it very easy to get in and out of and like sitting a little higher up.  I have mobility difficulties but can still drive and walk.  However due to fatigue issues my specialist suggested that I may want to look at power mobility for longer walks (ie. shopping at the mall etc...).  I am awaiting an assessment but am thinking I would prefer a powerchair compared to a scooter.  I really don't want to get a minivan but I do need something with enough cargo space to hold a powerchair and lift.  And with the rising gas prices I would like something that is decent on fuel.  Anyone have any suggestions?  What do you drive?

Posted on: Fri, Jun 20 2008 11:37 PM

Posted by: MelWhite Posts: 12

Could you get away with a larger car and a chairlift on the back?  I just got a 2007 Nissan Altima that's very good on the gas and is really a lovely vehicle to drive. 

Posted on: Sat, Jun 21 2008 2:14 PM

Posted by: rainey826 Posts: 3,961

 i find the honda trunk holds my chair the best ! good on gas, at the price of gas cheaper to charge my chair  lol    rainey xo  

Posted on: Sat, Jun 21 2008 6:58 PM

Posted by: cudachaser Posts: 1,536

 I have a Chevy Venture mini van...I use a manual chair and with seat layout, my chair fits perfect at the right sliding door...really easy to get in and out. I use hand controls...they are really sweet

Posted on: Tue, Jul 22 2008 8:07 PM

Posted by: bluetigermo47 Posts: 63

I am a manual wheelchair user who drives a Chevy Aveo (compact). I had a Braun Chairtopper installed on it (funded by vo-rehab). The device stores my chair and drops it in front of the driver's side door when I want to get out (I use a transfer board to get into my car).

Mileage, even with the extra weight on top is sweet (I get 34 MPG on highway). The topper makes a lot of windnoise, but you get used to it in time-I still can listen to CDs or the radio.

An Aveo won't help you, since you will use a power chair and need a lift. But, have you checked out other custom conversion websites. I saw one that had a photo of a converted (and custom-painted) Chrysler PT Cruiser (very sweet!). It had a ramp installed and was configured for a power chair user.

PT Cruisers get great gas mileage and you will sit a little higher than in a standard car. You may want to check if a Chevy HHR can be converted for your needs (another cool ride). Chevy offers some money that goes toward installing certain items.

I don't know how big your chair will be, but a compact like a PT Cruiser or HHR could work for you as opposed to a full-sized minivan.

Good luck and happy driving!

Margaret J.

Posted on: Thu, Sep 4 2008 3:28 AM

Posted by: Bob Posts: 54

my  last car was a 1948 chevy that me and my son took apart and redid. when we got it done ( ok a street rod is never done)  we had a chevy 327 and a munci 4speed with 4:11 rear gears it was pishing just about 450 hp and never raced it just drove it around on summer ights I painted it ford grabber blue so with the blue dots in the rear lites you pushed on the brake the whole back looked purple.We had alot of fun building it took 5 years but just the time i had to spend with my son was worth every dime i put into it. Now I can no longer even hold a wrench or we would find some other car to do .I was at a junk yard last week and they had several that I would like to do the guy had 2 super bees and a mg midgetand on my way out i saw a rambler american that was driveable the interior was even all in tac I was told all it needed was a motor the one in it had a knock bad.

I know none of these would make a good handicapped car but  just think of thr fun of putting onr bsck on the road again.

Now I just call transpo when I need a ride..Bob

Posted on: Thu, Sep 4 2008 10:10 AM

Posted by: hinge404 Posts: 213

I know that powerchairs are heavier than scooters.  Does the lift have the weight capacity rating suitable for a powerchair?  Or, does the rating depend on where and how the lift is mounted on the vehicle chassis?

Posted on: Fri, Sep 5 2008 1:40 PM

Posted by: ArkanzanWheeler Posts: 406

Bob, any of those cars could be made handicapable if you really wanted to, especially if you are restoring it yourself.  The SuperBees have plenty of room in the back for a wheelchair, I might put better bucket seats in that fold easier though like in my Grand Prix or something.  The MG Midget could also work if you made the trunk hinged in the back and have it open and close electrically, put the wheelchair in the trunk and off you go!

As for the wheelchair lifts, most of them are already set up to handle electric wheelchairs since that is probably the biggest market.  Most manual wheelchair owners can use regular vehicles so they save money that way (at least all that I know).  If you let us know what the vehicle is you want to use we can help with the different lift options...