I am in the process of choosing my first car since my SCI (to replace the one that was totaled when I was injured). Anybody have suggestions for cars that are easy to get into with a slide board? Easy to independently load a chair into? Relatively cute and inexpensive would be nice, too.

I prefer 2 door cars. easyer, for me. you can get you're chair alot closer to the car.

I had a Honda Civic ('95 hatchback) for years and I loved it. Great little car and easy to get in and out of.

Right now, I'm also selling my Prius if you're at all interested ... or if anybody else is as well ...

http://www.disableddealer.com/item_view.asp?itemid=115408

I recently just got a volkswagen new beetle. Although I don't do slide board transfers I remember doing them and they would be super easy into this car. It's very spacious and I get my chair in super easy and I'm a quad with only one working hand. I think the car is pretty cute too.

I use an extended cab pickup. This allows me to pull my chair behind the driver's seat without having to remove the rear wheels and arms.

Joe

Generally speaking, someone with your level of injury should be able to drive pretty much any car you like. As far as "cute", I'd have to agree about the new Beetle or maybe a Mini Cooper. Affordable? That's relative to your financial situation :-)

I have a '99 Ford Explorer. No modifications other than hand controls. I don't even use a spinner on the steering wheel. I use the steering wheel to help pull myself in, it's easy to get my chair in and out now which I throw on the passenger seat or back seat depending on who is in the car with me, and while I am a pretty strong girl with good upper body strength, I am tiny yet I still have no issues. I know other SCI people who drive regular SUVs or trucks as well and they just make it work. If you want to drive an SUV, you need to be good at awkward transfer that are of a higher level than your chair. It took me a while to start driving again, I had my injury in a car wreck and it was tough to get over that psychologically.

I got a ford mustang doors are wide

We've just gpone from an audi Q7 which was lovely, just a little too high and it was hard to reach anything in the boot, even though you can lower the car down a few inches, it wasnt enough... so we're back to an A6 SE again, which I'm more than happy with cos we can get both of the bikes plus chairs in plus dog, plus camping gear etc ;)

This mutang is my baby

Wow. I had hell getting into my friend's '03 Cobra. The new ones are a bit easier though.

Butterfly, What cars do you think are cute? Just to get some idea as to what your taste is.

I drive a lifted Ranger Sport extended cab. I met a quad the other day that drives a new GTO.
There are tons of options out there. Really, you have to find some cars you like, and just go to the dealers, and ask to try transferring into the cars. I've been to several dealers lately, as my wife and I are wanting to replace her car. Most haven't given a thought to it when I ask to try transferring. They have been pretty nice. I liked the Mazda 3. It's fairly easy to get into, and the doors open pretty far. I looked at the Mitsubishi Lancer, and it's not that hard to get into either. The transfer is pretty straight across with it, but can vary a little bit depending on chair seat to floor height. Jaquie has made a pretty cool choice with the new Beetle. The convertible top makes for super easy loading during warm weather. I got into a friend's Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder the other day with the top down, and it was WAY too easy. Even with the top up, it wasn't really difficult.

Another thing to consider is what frame style your chair is. I use the GTi from Quickie. The L-frame design (or Z-frame as it's sometimes called) is really easy to load, especially in small spaces. I had a GPV, and it's hell to get into a small car. Like T_O, I load the chair into the front seat, or behind the front seat, depending on whether or not somebody is with me. If you watch Murderball, there's a part where Joe Soares lays his seat back to get his chair out of the back seat. That's how I load/unload mine. Cross folding chairs (TiLite TX, Quickie LXi, Quickie 2) are usually easier to load into an extended cab truck, or Toyota FJ. The rear "suicide" doors make it easier to load the folders without taking the wheels off as Hawkeye mentioned. The cantilevered frames (TiLite TR, Invacare Top End Terminator) are a bit odd sometimes to load in a smaller cab space. I found it easier to get the Top End Terminator into a full size pickup or SUV. I get to try some new stuff every so often, since my wife is a nurse in a rehab facility, and I volunteer.

There are tons of options, so you really just have to look around and try some stuff. Just have to find what suits you best. (and post some pics when you get it...)

Best wishes.

99-06 BMW 3 series have 3 stage opening doors, with the third stage being a relatively right angle (very wide).

It's really dependent on situation though.

yeah in the biggining its hard but you get the hang of it I dont think you could drive a mustang cobra cause they only make the manual

Thanks so much for all of the advice so far, it will be really helpful. There are so many little things that go into the choice of a vehicle, it's hard to think of it all before you buy one.

It's hard to name cars that I think are cute...this is actually the first time I've bought one. The car that was crushed in my accident was a Ford Explorer, but an SUV like that wouldn't be a good idea, I guess. a) My transfers aren't very good yet, and b.) I feel sick when I look at them because they remind me of the accident. That aside, though, two cars I like that I actually know the names of are the Ford Focus and the Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Both have body styles that are a little bit distinctive, I guess I like that.

My wheelchair is a rigid frame--TiLite AeroZ to be specific. I plan on trying to get in the cars before I buy, but I doubt sellers are going to let me lift my wheelchair in, which I guess is the main reason I asked about what other people drive.

i also have a rigid frame (quickie gt) that i lift in my car. im a quad, btw, with only one good working hand. my bug is a convertible which makes it easier because, given good weather, you dont have to worry about how high you lift it.

the sebring you mentioned is a good choice. i actually was looking at one.

go sit in the cars and just see if it looks like it could work.

Trust me, I understand about feeling sick looking at SUVs. I also my accident in a Ford Explorer. The car I currently drive is actually the insurance replacement of the 1998 Ford Explorer I had the accident in but the only way I got over my fear of driving, cars, SUVs, etc., --and it was a BIG fear--was to face it head on. So I drive an Explorer to slap that fear in the face. Getting into a regular four door car would definitely be easier for you if your transfers aren't that good yet though. Getting into an SUV takes practice as does getting your chair back in. I find it easy to stick my chair in the passenger seat but when someone is in the car with me, it's kind of a bitch to get it into the back seat. And you'll get A LOT of people asking you if you need help. Seriously. Everytime I am out alone, I get at LEAST one person asking me if I need help getting my chair back into the car. Kind of funny. I guess it must look like I'm struggling or something.

totally true. ive had 2 people pull in my own driveway asking if i need help. not to mention the one guy who parked and watched me at target.

Yes, I've had people literally stop their cars and watch me, congratulate me on driving, ask me how I drive, etc. Nothing new. I barely even notice it anymore. I am always polite about thanking them for the offer though because they're just trying to be helpful and meaning well. My friends know better than to help me get in or out of my car because I don't need it (unless something happens and I actually DO need some help, heh) and I've had strangers freak out and give my friends crap for not helping me get my chair in the car. Amusing.

i always let my friends put my chair in. ha. but im not good at it yet. one handed is tough!

I was just riding with him in the Cobra, but there are controls for manuals. There aren't as many in the US as in the UK though.

Manual Hand Control Video

Hand Control Article

The Sebring isn't too bad getting in, but I tried the Focus, and the doorways aren't very wide on the 4-door. The 2-door is a bit better for getting in and loading the chair.

I too am looking to buy a new car. Have done my testing and have hand controls just need a car now. I'm looking at a Ford Taurus, Dodge Magnum, Chevy Impala. I have not tried any yet just sold my old car yesterday. I am wanting a car that my family will fit in and my chair and maybe a hockey bag LOL. I'm wanting leather seats and power seats for better transfers. Let me know how you do and any advice.

Um... Jaquie, that may be what you call a stalker.
Just kidding, Yes, I dislike the "silent staring ones". They creep me out.

HI I HAVE A FOCUS 5 DOOR ITS EASY TO GET IN AND OUT BUT NEED HELP WITH THE CHAIR,
THE 3 DOOR WOULD BE BETTER DUE TO THE BIGGER DOORS

Honda Odyssey kicks ass!

Well I still think you should live life to its fullest soooo....
I have an E class mercedes estate that gets used everyday ... dogs wheelchair etc etc etc

Then ....... a Porsche 911 for those fun days out. I also have driven it around a track. Silverstone! Great Fun!

Live life and enjoy!!

Thank you all so much for your input and advice! Looking for cars was a tiring process, but we finally found a good one. It's a 2006 Honda Civic LX 4 door. The doors open to almost 90 degrees so it's easy to get in, and there's plenty of space between driver and steering wheel so I can get my chair across. Also there's lots of room in the trunk in case I need the extra seat and the opening to the trunk comes low enough that I can just set stuff in there without any problem. Here's a picture of it:

very nice, i like those civics. my sister had one and she was able to get my wheelchair in the trunk with no problem, very usable trunk space.

I would just try them out but your transfers will definitely get better...

The only thing I really go for is 2/3 door cars, mainly because I think they look better but also because it does give you more space to get in.

I've been driving a Vauxhall Astra Sportshatch (not sure if you have these in the us.) for the last 3 years and have just ordered a Mini Cooper D. Found the astra pretty practical as well, fits my tennis cahir easily in the boot and even my shower chair when I've taken that places. Going to miss the boot when I get the Mini.

It's branded as a Saturn here for the time being. At least till GM shuts down Saturn. I love the way the Vauxhall version looks though. The SportHatch SRi with the exterior pack is my favorite.

HI
I just saw your post about the Volkswagen Beetle. I am a paraplegic and I usually put my wheelchair behind the drivers seat. Where do you put your chair in the Beetle?
Thanks.
Phil G.

My chevy camaro is super easy to get my chair in and out. Not only that but it looks good:).
When i first got paralyzed i had a four door car and tryed getting my chair in and found out real quick just how hard it was. So I told my parents to look at a two door car. Well the day after x-mas i was at my friends house and my parents came and picked me up and said lets go look at cars, but they said first were gonna go home and eat. I was so excited about going to look at cars we get to my house and bam my parents had already got me a car. You talking about a happy camper haha.
Heres a pic.

There are no cute cars
Get a motorbike
The faster - the better

How do you think many of us got here? (check the stats)

White van man took me out while I was on my BSA250cc.
Now I have a sidecar powered by a adapted Busa.
I will have to get round to posting a picture of my wheelchair and the Nurburgring (Race track in Germany)

Click to view attachment

As if by magic.there it is