25 replies to this topic

[Joshua.]

So I'm a 16 year old para, and I want to buy a vehicle this summer, but I don't know what to get.

I do not want to modify the car, as I am very independent, and can transfer into anything.

The only issue is my chair, and how to get it in. Right now I drive my mom's van (which has permanent hand controls that I will transfer to my own vehicle), and when I transfer into the driver's seat, my mother takes my chair and puts it in the trunk. (I only have my permit, so a licensed driver always has to be with me driving.) My chair is a Quickie Titanium, so it's not a folding wheelchair, but it can be taken apart (wheels, back, back mounting folds down) if needs be.

I'm just wondering what kind of car you guys have yourselves, and what you would recommend for me . I heard 2 or 3 doors are my best bet, so I've been looking at those.

A couple things:
• Should I get a new or used vehicle?
• I'm looking for a vehicle with a dual-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox (semi-automatic) with buttons or paddles.
• This goes along with the semi-automatic topic, but I would like something sporty. Besides, it's my first car :-D.

[[Also, there is the issue of trying cars out, to test drive them to see if I like them. I bought portable hand controls the other day for this purpose. I'm just wondering how you guys have gone about this task.]]

If I have forgotten any details that should be added, or if you have questions, please ask.

[greybeard]

Never buy new. You lose an enormous chunk of it's resale value in the first year.

[wheelchairbarbie]

Buy a Viper.

[Joshua.]

wheelchairbarbie, on 28 June 2011 - 11:58 PM, said:

Buy a Viper.

A little out of my price range there Barbie . But that would be sweet .

[airart1]

the world is yours, and its all about your price range.....i've been in about every kind of something......i currently have a grand caravan w/ drop floor and ramp, cause i'm old and lazy, but i also have a 89 vette and a 90 jimmy 4x4 and a harley i built, so see, u should be young and full of grit, go to the used car lot and jump in a bunch.....find something u like..........

[Joshua.]

greybeard, on 28 June 2011 - 11:45 PM, said:

Never buy new. You lose an enormous chunk of it's resale value in the first year.

Yeah, I figured. Besides my budget can only afford a second hand vehicle (but a nice one at that).

[Ratticis]

Hmm, my dad's first vehicle was a 51 chev pickup mine a a 49 ford F-47 (thas a pickup too, and I'm damn well getting back into that thing before the winter!), or maybe it was an 05 Dodge Ram (Hemi), but that was more of a work truck. It always means more if you do the work yourself. Go for a '72 el camino. They got a box lift that mounts behind the cab and lifts the chair into the box after you're out of it

[Irish Wheelz]

A '69 Chevy Camaro Z28, that's a real car right there.

[attachment=11469:1969-chevrolet-camaro-z28.jpg]

[airart1]

there ya go.......i always thought a 64 impala ss would be a great car............i might try to find me one after next year and the house is paid for............

[biggdoggpa]

My friend has a Chevy 4x4 sports side truck it is equipt with a crane system to swing his chair in the bed of the truck. its pretty easy as you don't have to take your chair apart, only thing is when it rains your chair will get wet but you can always take the pad off?? in my opinion it is the easiest and quickest system if you like to roll solo!! my other friend has a 4 door sedan and some one has to take his chair apart and throw it in the trunk! when he is alone he throws it in the car with him but it's a pain in the ass!!! lol i like the 64 impala idea though not sure where your from but i wouldn't want to take it out in the snow!!! and you probably want something dependable!! i would look for something a few years old with some miles pick up truck 4x4 and nothing will ever hold ya back!!!

[airart1]

thats why i got my gmc 4x4 jimmy, i like it alot, i can jump up in it and take off, if someones with me, they throw my chair in back, if by myself, i load it myself and four wheel drive around in the snow, we had quite a bit of snow here this past year and my van done well for the only few times i drove it, i didnt go out very much because i didnt have too like when i had retail stores, but the van i got in pennsylvania, and he drove it quite abit in the snow.....it done a good job......if you want convenience then a van is awesome, quick in and out, u can go to 10 place in an hour, but if u want to load your chair, which i've done 10 times in one day and its a pain in the arse after a few times to get things done.......your young so u can do it pretty easy, after 20 years i got pretty darn tired of breaking my chair down 10 times a day.......even though i like my jimmy and vette, i'll take my van or roll up on my harley and stay in my chair in a minute over breaking it down........

[dangerousdave]

1 .. suits best your abilities
2 .. as new as is possible
3 .. as fast as possible (ops sorry, forget that, you have those rediculously slow horse drawn speed limits)

Edited by dangerousdave, 29 June 2011 - 02:21 PM.

[airart1]

there ya go DD.......

1. speed - vette + cool factor
2. snow/ice - jimmy 4x4
3. convenience - conversion van......
4. piece of mind and enjoyment/sanity - harley davidson

took 25 years, but i got a pretty good combo!!!

[dangerousdave]

1. speed = 70's Hillman Minx 1600cc that just flew in my hands. even a TVR couldn't leave me for dead. Zig Zag in and out of traffic to get home from a Arsenal football game to watch Dr Who on TV scared everyone but me, then that fateful day when it got wrapped araound a concrete bolard because of oil on the road
2. snow/ice = I am confined to house
3. convenience = conversion van......
4. piece of mind and enjoyment/sanity = 1300cc Suzuki Hayabusa attached to my sidecar

[airart1]

sweet.......mans gotta love his toys!!!

[tmcph]

go with a subaru, they're fast, all-wheel drive, if you get the wagon there's plenty of space for friends & your chair & they run great, & cost friendly

Edited by tmcph, 29 June 2011 - 06:04 PM.

[Vanessamaee]

Sorry I'm a little late (: but I'm 17 and just got injured a couple months ago and am now in the same boat as you (: I drove a 97 F150 4x4 with an 8 inch lift. This is definatly no longer practical for me being that it breaks down more than it runs and is also HUGE. Ive been looking at cars and usually car dealerships are great for advice! (of course most do just want your money) and I refuse to drive a mini van being that Im 17 and not a soccer mom. But what Ive found out its generally 2 door cars are lacking in room with a rigid frame chair.I got into a Cobalt and camaro and found that once I took apart my wheel chair there was almost NO room for another person, so you'd have a really cool car but wouldnt be able ot take people in it! I also found out that with SUV's, and pick-ups (I LOVE trucks...) That if your planning on going places a lot, the possibility of wear and tear on your shoulders are there since its a slightly harder transfer, but that also just depends on your arm muscle and build (: It also depends on where you live. I considered just taking te lift off my truck and putting a wheelchair lift in but after sticking my wheelchair in the bed of the truck while my dad drove and getting into it and the metal being like scalding hot. I decided an enclosed area for the wheelchair would probably be slightly more practical, not only because of the heat, but also because of rain, and snow. I've found 4 door cars, crossovers, hatchbacks and suprisingly enough, jeeps to be the easiest to get in and out of. And I know some 4 door cars are lame but some are kinda nice (: Monte Carlos are pretty nice. Anything can be adapted for a wheelchair user, its all personal preferance (:
But I too wouldnt go new, for the part your going to beat the crap out of it anyways with your wheelchair, and being a new driver. (:
God Luck! (:

[tmcph]

vanessamaee-you could always do a big ol' full size van if you want a big vehicle with plenty of room, that's what i went for, or actually there are some really nicely modified honda elements, they have a roomy interior, easy to get in & out of with the rear suicide opening doors.

[Joshua.]

So now I'm looking at a 2008 Honda Civic Si Coupe (2 door). It has 53,000 Kms on it. They're asking $13,900CAD.

What do you guys think?

[ebeth]

I'm also car shopping and I'm seriously considering a Honda Civic Coupe - either that or a Kia Forte Koup. I can't comment on if the price is right (I'm shopping for a new car.) but Hondas are generally very reliable and long-lasting.

[Joshua.]

Well I went to a Honda dealership yesterday, and a salesman said he had a 2007 Civic coupe with 73,000kms on it coming in today (he was suppose to get back to me today but never did), and he was offering the same price for it ($!3,9000). (It has the same features

As far as I can tell the 2008 one is the better deal. The only thing is is that the 2008 one isn't being sold by a Honda dealership, so it's not going to be "Honda Certified." I don't think that's a big deal though... it just adds 1 year OR 20,000kms to the warranty.

Yes, I've heard that the Civic is a very reliable, long-lasting car. But I've also heard that the insurance is higher for them, because they're the most stolen car ever, and because they are often used for street racing...

I'm going to go see the 2008 Civic tomorrow, and if all goes well, I *might* just buy it!

[Halfdead]

I Just tried a Civic and found that it's a bit too low.
The Toyota Yaris 2 Dr and VW New Beetle 2 Dr have large doors and are the same height as my chair.
Ok their not chick magnets but 35 MPG is great if your on a budget.

[Joshua.]

I forgot to post that I bought the Hobda Civic (the 2008)!! I just need to get a rubber boot so I don't scratch up the sill paint .

It's okay to get in and out of, I just need to develop a solid technique. I can get my chair in and out (obviously of course), I just need to practice doing it as well.

[tsh3406]

Right here buddy, won't outrun a Vette or Viper, but 130mph is fast enough for me right now. For stress and peace of mind, shift 'er into 4 and leave the road in the rearview. Plenty of room for a 1500 milr road trip too....

Tim

[tsh3406]

The freedom to do stupid things is GREAT, lol....

[The Black Sheep]

I remember this point in life, and I had a lot of the same opinions you did. My mom thought I should get a minivan... but those are for old people.

From my experience, I think a 2-door sports car worked best. Like you, I can transfer into most vehicles as long as they're not too tall. I have a Ford Probe, which is really low to the ground, it has a nice hatchback for crap like groceries and shopping stuffs, and the doors are long enough that you can dismantle the chair, pop the wheels off and haul it into the back seat. It's kind of sporty lookin too.... kinda. I would imagine it's a matter of taste, though, but 2-door cars have worked GREAT for me. I also test drove a 2009 Honda Civic, which was pretty cool, but there's no hatchback and I've grown fond of storage space.

The Honda Fit looks pretty snazzy to me, and I'm saving for it.

Edited by The Black Sheep, 10 August 2011 - 03:40 PM.