3 replies to this topic

[lonely wife]

It is time for us to get a wheelchair accessible van. We need one that has hand controls, side ramp, and the ability to let someone other than the handicapped to drive. I guess that means we need to be able to move the seats around. Good gas milage would be wonderful, too. Anyone out there that can brag on their van? Or complain about their lemon? We will have to drive it until the wheels fall off. Which brand and style should I be looking at? Is there anything we are forgetting - like wheelchair tracks or ????

[juls]

I love or van....I don't want to drive as I'm not confident enough. My partner or friends drive it, but I sit up at the front of the van, which I love. The floor is lowered at the front so my wheelchair can go in but still be the same level as the driver.

It's a Mercedees though. Very expensive to fix and replace parts!

[brackman22]

Are you looking to buy a new van and then get it converted? Are you looking to buy a used previously converted van? Many auto makers like chrysler and I believe gm are now making new vans with the floor already lowered. I have a dodge caravan converted by IMS with lowered floor and the front seat can be moved from passenger side to driver's side. It has 99,000 miles and so far no problems.

[AnnMarie]

My boyfriend and I are also looking for a new vehicle. I think we've decided on the Honda Element, there's a company in Michigan thats converting them and they drove one out to us to look at. It was really nice and the ramp can be on the passenger or the drivers side or both, the floor was lowered and its sort of not a mini-van. I think the name of the company was freedom mobility and they do have a website.