Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries: What Kind Of Car Do You Drive? - Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Spinal Cord Injuries

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What Kind Of Car Do You Drive? Rate Topic: -----

Poll: What kind of car do you drive? (197 member(s) have cast votes)

If you drive, what do you drive?

  1. Full Size Van with a lift/ramp (13 votes [6.57%])

    Percentage of vote: 6.57%

  2. Mini Van with a ramp (18 votes [9.09%])

    Percentage of vote: 9.09%

  3. Accessible Honda Element/PT Cruiser (7 votes [3.54%])

    Percentage of vote: 3.54%

  4. Regular car with hand controls (104 votes [52.53%])

    Percentage of vote: 52.53%

  5. Other (56 votes [28.28%])

    Percentage of vote: 28.28%

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#1 User is offline   KarenFerguson 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 06:54 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. :helpme:
Hubby's website: www.basketcasecomix.com
My Blog: www.inanemusings.wordpress.com
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#2 User is offline   Tim13 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 07:47 PM

Just sold Chevy Avalanche since the warranty was up, currently Mustang and BMW.

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#3 User is offline   BillS 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 08:25 PM

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.
Just a regular guy making his way through life.
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#4 User is offline   azx43 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 10:40 PM

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: 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. . . :poo:

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#5 User is offline   rkzenrage 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 10:51 PM

We have a Dodge Caravan with a Braun ramp. I can't drive.
Thomas Jefferson-
"If a law is unjust not only does a man have the right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so!"
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#6 User is offline   Texaswheelz 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 10:59 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.

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#7 User is offline   Kev-O 

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Posted 06 November 2007 - 11:25 PM

Sold my Avalanche a while back, but now have an 2005 Infiniti G-35, an a 2002 Yamaha R1
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#8 User is offline   nomis 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 12:11 AM

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.
Stephen Hawking, physicist, cosmologist and something of a dreamer:
Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.
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#9 User is offline   Lucydog 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 12:22 AM

We have a nissan note which is ok and a mercedes e class estate. I love driving thankfully, my husband is still learning :poo:
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#10 User is offline   JohnD 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 12:56 PM

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
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#11 User is offline   silone74 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 01:45 PM

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. :poo: :drive:




Silone74.
Motorcycle accident, or sniper fire depends who is in the room at the time LOL
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#12 User is offline   Cheshire 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 02:21 PM

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!
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#13 User is offline   KarenFerguson 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 04:17 PM

View PostTexaswheelz, on Nov 6 2007, 02:59 PM, said:

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.
Hubby's website: www.basketcasecomix.com
My Blog: www.inanemusings.wordpress.com
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#14 User is offline   ryan08/06/88 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 04:25 PM

One of these :)

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#15 User is offline   smokymtn memories 

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Posted 07 November 2007 - 05:05 PM

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.
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#16 User is offline   Angela250153 

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Posted 08 November 2007 - 07:42 PM

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.
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#17 User is offline   wheeels 

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Posted 08 November 2007 - 10:59 PM

2004 Audi TT 3.2
It holds me my chair and two car seats, sort of :)
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#18 User is offline   azx43 

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Posted 08 November 2007 - 11:54 PM

View Postnomis, on Nov 6 2007, 05:11 PM, said:

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! :)

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Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
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#19 User is offline   Flatiron 

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 12:50 AM

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.
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#20 User is offline   snol 

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 08:03 PM

View Postryan08/06/88, on Nov 7 2007, 04:25 PM, said:

One of these :P

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Nice car ryan was going get one myself
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#21 User is offline   STownsend 

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 04:58 AM

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!
T4/T5 Complete. Injured March 2006 and still living a wonderful life.
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#22 User is offline   Motor 

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 05:41 AM

View PostSTownsend, on Jan 17 2008, 11:58 PM, said:

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! :cheers:

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This post has been edited by Motor: 18 January 2008 - 05:42 AM

"CHEAP WOMAN AREN'T GOOD AND GOOD WOMAN AREN'T CHEAP"
"NEVER 4GET 9/11/01 THEY ARE GONE BUT NOT 4GOTTEN"
"I MUST CRAWL BEFORE I WALK (AGAIN)"
"LIVE EACH DAY LIKE ITS YOUR LAST"
"RIDE IT LIKE U STOLE IT"
Richie aka MOTOR :-)
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#23 User is offline   Andrew Meddings 

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 10:05 AM

i drive a scania semi trailer , landrcuiser & whaterer else i get my hands or

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#24 User is offline   Andrew Meddings 

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 10:27 AM

Attached Image: 111_fwheeli_stu_002.jpgmore stuff i ride & drive.

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#25 User is offline   Lee 

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 01:34 PM

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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I do it erratically, often with bits fallling off.
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#26 User is offline   Mikerowaved 

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 07:17 PM

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.
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#27 User is offline   john S. 

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Posted 15 March 2008 - 06:49 PM

View PostKarenFerguson, on Nov 6 2007, 02:54 PM, said:

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. :)


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
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#28 User is offline   ems 

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Posted 15 March 2008 - 07:02 PM

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!
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#29 User is offline   steve_r 

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Posted 16 April 2008 - 02:40 AM

We have an '07 Honda Element SC. Modified by Freedom Motors and cannot be happier!
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#30 User is offline   Ian D 

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Posted 16 April 2008 - 07:34 AM

This is what I've been driving since Jan And I love it :D
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Cheers Ian :blushing02:
Once I thought I was wrong..... but I was mistaken
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