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Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries > Disabled Living & Spinal Cord Injuries > General Spinal Cord Injuries Discussions > The Poll Booth
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KarenFerguson
As I was driving around with hubby in my accessible Honda Element, I started to wonder what every one drives on this forum. I used to drive a regular car (loved my Toyota Prius) with hand controls but the accessible Honda just made more sense for hubby & me.

So, what do you drive? A little explanation after you vote might be nice as well. smile.gif
Tim13
Just sold Chevy Avalanche since the warranty was up, currently Mustang and BMW.
BillS
I drive 2 door cars where I can fold my chair up and slide in into the back seat behind me. That way I don't have to pass the chair overhead or take off the wheels. Right now I'm driving a Toyota Solara and I love it.
azx43
I drive a Dodge Caravan with a Braun ramp. Why?? (I have good upper body strength.) 'Cause it's easier for all involved, whether they are human or otherwise.! drive.gif I transfer to the drivers seat, and my friends, their dogs, luggage, chairs, mtn. bikes, etc. can ride along too,
Glad to hear that you liked your Toyota Prius, Karen! I've been admiring those when I see them, and am thinking of getting one of these days. . . H2kOther (26).gif
rkzenrage
We have a Dodge Caravan with a Braun ramp. I can't drive.
Texaswheelz
74 bronco and 06 trailblazer, had the bronco for 11 years now and i love it, although it just setting and collecting dust atm until i can afford to do a little bit of work on it again. Has been my daily driver for about 5 of those 11 years I've had it.

How do you like your element? I've thought about getting one, but with just hand controls, with the backwards back doors I would be able to put my chair into the back instead of pulling it across in front of me, which can be dirty at times.
Kev-O
Sold my Avalanche a while back, but now have an 2005 Infiniti G-35, an a 2002 Yamaha R1
nomis
My chair and I squeeze into a tiny Toyota Yaris that runs reliably on the smell of an oily rag.
But I'm seriously considering becoming carless. A few years ago I would have freaked at that idea.
I'm a bit of a greenie - I don't travel much now - I've got an electric scooter for shopping, etc - a simpler life will be a cheaper life and I like the idea of the challenge from the change.
Lucydog
We have a nissan note which is ok and a mercedes e class estate. I love driving thankfully, my husband is still learning drive.gif
JohnD
I drive a Astra Estate to work, but on the weekend I have my twinturbo Nissan Zed which I have had for about 7 years and has been modified over the years with new wheels, seats and a colour change.





My Webpage
silone74
I have a Mazda 3 it is actually quite easy to get my chair in and out and when my girl friend and kids are with me there is plenty of room in the boot for my chair and some shopping,it is reliable but does seem to use alot of petrol think thats down to the heavy auto box and only being a 1.6 engine? O and just the other day came back to it after being in town and some 1 had driven right down the passenger side not stopped so that was a nice surprise to come back 2. drive.gif mad.gif




Silone74.
Cheshire
If I'm lucky, I'll be selling my Subaru outback Impreza. This is the car I had pre-injury: it's now too low to the ground to get into and out of easily and painfree, and with my being somewhat tall (6'-ish), my PT said the seating position this car put me in was really bad.

I recently bought a Toyota RAV4. I love it for what little I've gotten to drive it so far. I don't need hand controls, just drive either two-footed (what driving clinic showed me) or lately, left-footed with right tucked out of the way. (Better response to the car...will probably come in handy this winter.) The car is high enough that either sitting or standing I can get in and out relatively pain-/problem-free, and the trunk is perfect for loading/unloading: no lip to have to lift stuff over and a wide-swinging door instead of a vertically lifting hatch. Good gas milage, too. My favourite nifty bit is the seats fold down flat-ish to create a place to lie down! This will require some padding, of course...but I can have a place to take a rest break when away from home!
KarenFerguson
QUOTE (Texaswheelz @ Nov 6 2007, 02:59 PM) *
74 bronco and 06 trailblazer, had the bronco for 11 years now and i love it, although it just setting and collecting dust atm until i can afford to do a little bit of work on it again. Has been my daily driver for about 5 of those 11 years I've had it.

How do you like your element? I've thought about getting one, but with just hand controls, with the backwards back doors I would be able to put my chair into the back instead of pulling it across in front of me, which can be dirty at times.


I know other para's & even low quad's who use a "regular" Element. They seem to love it with the back door that opens wide for their chair. With my accessible Element I have a ramp and automatic doors but a regular seat with hand controls, that way hubby can be a passenger and stay in his chair with a tie down. On hubby's Element there is no drivers seat & he locks in place with an EZ-Lock bracket. I also have to admit I'm a bit spoiled on my own with out having to take my chair apart - just roll right in, quick transfer and go. What sucks is parking & the ramp, but in a jam I can get out the drivers side if I really had to. I love being able to park at a curb downtown - that was a pain with the Prius (getting out in traffic - yikes!) We love our Elements & I still drive my Prius but I'm looking to sell it in about a year.
ryan08/06/88
One of these smile.gif

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smokymtn memories
What little I drive, I still drive my old GMC suv Jimmy. I'd like to replace it with something a bit easier on fuel. Although for an suv, it's not too bad, it just has a vortex 6 cyl. in it. But, to get something better on gas mileage, most of the vehicles are low to the ground, which is hard for me to do.
Angela250153
I drive an 1989 Golf 1.6 with just the basic hand controls which I got last June. On the motorway I can get away with accelarating with my right foot. Wheelchair fits perfect in the boot and I have gotten quite good at lifting it in.

Still miss driving a manual though.
wheeels
2004 Audi TT 3.2
It holds me my chair and two car seats, sort of smile.gif
azx43
QUOTE (nomis @ Nov 6 2007, 05:11 PM) *
My chair and I squeeze into a tiny Toyota Yaris that runs reliably on the smell of an oily rag.
But I'm seriously considering becoming carless. A few years ago I would have freaked at that idea.
I'm a bit of a greenie - I don't travel much now - I've got an electric scooter for shopping, etc - a simpler life will be a cheaper life and I like the idea of the challenge from the change.



Ah, so good to hear from a fellow greenie, Nomis! I go carless when I can get away with it; I prefer it that way. Best of luck to you! drive.gif
Flatiron
1st. Full size Chevy van with lift. Transfered to a electric slide back seat.
2nd. Full size Ford van, 4" lowered floor, with Ezlock to drive from my wheelchair.
3rd. Should last the rest of my life. 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with ramp and Ezlock.
snol
QUOTE (ryan08/06/88 @ Nov 7 2007, 04:25 PM) *



Nice car ryan was going get one myself
STownsend
I'm still very proud of buying the Subaru Outback wagon post-injury. Awesome in the snow of Utah. And when the family joins me, they can throw the chair intact into the way back. Very convenient!
Motor
QUOTE (STownsend @ Jan 17 2008, 11:58 PM) *
I'm still very proud of buying the Subaru Outback wagon post-injury. Awesome in the snow of Utah. And when the family joins me, they can throw the chair intact into the way back. Very convenient!

Have a mustang set up to drive but I enjoy this! H2kOther (26).gif
Andrew Meddings
i drive a scania semi trailer , landrcuiser & whaterer else i get my hands or
Andrew Meddings
Click to view attachmentmore stuff i ride & drive.
Lee
Im into hotrods and offroading. Im currently building a Ford 300e Thames van as a hotrod, i also own a heavily moddifed Series One 86" Landrover and my everyday car is a 1995 Discovery 3.9i. Heres me having fun at Billing Landrover event in July.

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Mikerowaved
I drive a Plymouth Grand Voyager. I just removed the captain's chair behind the driver's seat and after transferring into the driver's seat, I reach back and pull my chair in behind me through the sliding door. Works great. No ramps or other mods to the van and I don't have to take anything apart on the chair.

If I need the extra seat put back in to haul a lot of passengers, my wife can put my chair in the extended back area of the van. Again, it fits perfectly without any disassembly.
john S.
QUOTE (KarenFerguson @ Nov 6 2007, 02:54 PM) *
As I was driving around with hubby in my accessible Honda Element, I started to wonder what every one drives on this forum. I used to drive a regular car (loved my Toyota Prius) with hand controls but the accessible Honda just made more sense for hubby & me.

So, what do you drive? A little explanation after you vote might be nice as well. smile.gif


I call 24 hours ahead of time and use the community access bus. I've looked into driving, but It seems geared toward handicapped with big settlements, or just rich from the start. I am noty allowed to own a vehicle worth more than $1800. That buys a pretty crappy van and I can't afford to insure it anyway. Is there some program I haven't heard of? I did get a license in 78. It has long since expired. It took me another 6 years to get a job and it only paid health insurance and aides and rent with utilities. When I looked at a converted van they wanted 450 a month and I never had the courage to see what the insurance was. Now, I probably couldn't afford the gas anyway.

I wish you all the very best,
john
ems
We have an Audi Q7 which at first was a pain to transfer into as its quite high, but I've got used to it now. Only thing is when having a car like that you et odd looks when you drive into a disabbled parking space. I guess people dont expect you to have nice car! We have been told to remove our car out of a disabled space in a sainsburys car park a few weeks ago, my partner decided to politelty ignore him while he got my chair out and the guy just walked away. We did find him and thank him for looking after the disabled parking spaces... he just a little embarrassed!
steve_r
We have an '07 Honda Element SC. Modified by Freedom Motors and cannot be happier!
Ian D
This is what I've been driving since Jan And I love it biggrin.gif
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Cheers Ian cheers.gif
longhaul
1990 Ford E150 Econoline Van shorty with a Superarm lift in spring time down poorClick to view attachment
Webwych
I have a toyota Yaris, which I absolutely adore.

HINT - If you have a Yaris now but fancy a change for your next car, the NISSAN NOTE can accomodate your existing Bekker Hand Controls without having to fork out ££'s for a new set every time you change cars (or your lease is up if you're in the UK's 'Motability' scheme).
jimwa
87 Ford E150 with ricon swing lift - 21 years & still going
Martin55
In the 1970's I started with a Hi Ace with hand made ramps and dog collars to tie the chair down badmood.gif
1980's a Renault Traffic with back lift.
1987 a Ford escort adapted van
from 1993 Crysler Voyger adapted with back suspension.

The cars and vans for transporting us has improved over the years.

biggrin.gif
Mike (c4-5) & Lorena
I drive a 2004 Dodge Carvan with the Digi-Drive from EMC. Joystick drive with voice controls.
Abbey22
I love my 2-door Alero...sometimes I wish I had a little more room but a 4 door didn't work out at all.
Kev-O
2005 Infiniti G-35 an a 2002 yamaha R1
ruth
2008 Mini Cooper Clubman, with chequered flag decals - very nice!!! th_driving1.gif
dexter
<strong>I've got a pretty sweet Honda Element. I even put 20'' rims on it and added a racing stripe with a handicap symbol on it. I get a lot of compliments. This is Jimmy Blue! </strong>






sits2much
QUOTE (dexter @ Jun 24 2008, 11:06 PM) *
<strong>I've got a pretty sweet Honda Element. I even put 20'' rims on it and added a racing stripe with a handicap symbol on it. I get a lot of compliments. This is Jimmy Blue! </strong>









I drive a stock Honda Element as well and actually the same color as this one minus the stripe... I think it looks sharp though... I don't have any special features and use portable hand controls so I can drive our trailblazer as well. I love this little thing cause I can easily throw my chair in back through the suicide door without disassembling it. I use to have a Silverado with a lift kit and well it got down to do I wanna have shoulder issues or not! So I sold it and bought my element.

Gotta make you all laugh, I was in a grocery store parking lot the other day and this lady was sitting illegally parked and well I pulled into the handicap spot right in front of her and this pissed her off cause I had to make her move. She called me a couple of choice words then told me I drove a piece of sh@t..... She was driving a trailblazer so I just snickered cause I have one sitting at home as well. Anyways she got all pissed off and told me basically to come tell it to her face...(obviously she wasn't as able bodied as me) so I got out rolled over to her and told her to her face that she was an ass and I didn't buy my car for social status but for practical reasons and then told her she should really just concentrate on driving since she really didn't know how to... She didn't say much back to me after that and I went on about my business.

I forgot to add that Honda has a funny color, this particular blue color which I drive and is pictured above is handicap blue and melds nicely with handicap stickers. hahahaha and Honda didn't even know...
StillFingers
An old rusty full-size ford van, lift, std hand controls, lots of windows...I like to look! Thinking about scaling down though, wish someone would come out with a hybrid minivan...I'd like to be greener.
Lol Hare
I'm a big Petrol-head,i use a PT Cruiser for everyday,but i have a 66 Caddy convertable,great in the summer and for shows,just like my Chevy Truck,i have another couple too but it's my hobby and passion which i think is a must have,anyone agree?

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wheelywendy
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment[att
achment=5173:67135eccfe8a8ff2.jpg]toyota yaris verso, prob is dog cage takes up most of the rear so if have passenger they can just get chair behind cage without folding it, great car, bigest draw back is to tow trailer to take electric chair anywhere you have to use detatchable towbar which is bit of a pain (as rear door cant be opened with towbar on!) but otherwise great easy to drive vechile,
i have elap ring acelerator and push brake adaptions, i find this brill as its more like normal driving, (just couldnt coordinate the push pull braking / acceleration with steering ball)
lil jo
I drive a GMC Sierra. I did have a small Dodge Neon, but had a Dicken's of a time getting my chair in with me. My truck works way better. The pic is right after I got the truck and before modifications, the lift, was put on it.
Hikkakaru
Something to get me round town H2kOther (26).gif

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with menox hand controls.
Zammo
I currently have a Saab 9-3 Sportwagon like this one:


But I'm getting a Volvo V50 Sportwagon in May, like this one:
RoyC
Click to view attachmentT
This i what im driving at the moment but selling anytime soon great car just fancy a change
2001 Saab 9.3 se turbo auto with Gosling push pull hand controls
Webwych
Is anyone as miffed as me about the narrow choice of automatics with nil deposit that don't take up your *entire* mobility DLA componant just now?
cubanito_016
I drive a mustang
RoyC

Wow nice motors wish i lived near you i would be your bestest mate ever honest and id polish your cars for free just for a drive in the convertable lol
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