16 replies to this topic

[Lucydog]

Ok Im having a bit of a whinge here.....

At the moment I have our car on motability and its fine, no probs at all. Next year we are due to change and because of extra members of the family we need a 7 seater!! 3 kids plus a wheelchair just isnt going to squeeze into 5 seats. Anyway Ive been looking at the various options and cant believe the difference in deposit between a manual and an automatic. For instance a Vauxhall Zafira manual, £49, the automatic version £800. I know that automatics are more expensive but as Motability is a charity isnt it really discrminating against people who NEED an automatic? I dont particularly hanker after an automatic I just cant drive a manual. Isnt the charity actually supposed to be helping those of us who genuinely need it?

Anyway Im chewing it over already. Unfortunalty I dont have an option to go for finance as I dont have great credit so its really motability or nothing for us.

Whinge over, cheers
L

[Valo]

I know what you mean Lucydog, After three years I'm just starting to look around for my first replacement car on the scheme and I'm shocked at some of the deposit prices.

I need a hoist fitted to the car to help me in and out as I can't transfer, so a three door car is preferable due to it having wider doors but there is a limited choice of three door cars on the scheme and even then some of them don't have the right clearance I need, and the ones I do have a major deposit.

So not only is there the deposit for the car but the costs of moving the hoist piller adaption to the new car...the overall costs really begin to mount up. I was planning on trying to buy a new wheelchair this year but those plans are now on hold

Edited by Valo, 01 July 2008 - 03:29 PM.

[Webwych]

....yeah all that and they've got the cheek to send you raffle tickets!! Why don't they scrap the raffles and and put the prize money back into the scheme so that people who need more complex adaptions can get a better deal?

Personally I see Motability as more of a business masquerading as a charity! I swear, if they had some decent competition I'd switch.

[russ1]

Unfortunately the charitable side of Motability is tiny and generally completely unrelated to the supply of cars to the general disabled poplace. The tag of charity is disingenuous although if you do really have financial difficulties and need a heavily adapted car you can, so I understand, apply to the charitable side for the costs. Although motability purposefully muddy the water with the charitable tag the charity side is completely separate to the supply of cars side as far as I can see.

Unfortunately the cost of an auto box is generally about £1000 on many new cars and it's a cost that is not reflected in second hand sales so for the motability business model it's a cost that has to be passed onto the customer. They do at least now include for basic hand controls but that's a cost that access for work would have picked up previously, it's worth knowing that anyone who does work can get those more complex adaptions paid for by access to work.

[Webwych]

russ1, on Jul 2 2008, 10:07 AM, said:

Unfortunately the charitable side of Motability is tiny and generally completely unrelated to the supply of cars to the general disabled poplace. The tag of charity is disingenuous although if you do really have financial difficulties and need a heavily adapted car you can, so I understand, apply to the charitable side for the costs. Although motability purposefully muddy the water with the charitable tag the charity side is completely separate to the supply of cars side as far as I can see.

Unfortunately the cost of an auto box is generally about £1000 on many new cars and it's a cost that is not reflected in second hand sales so for the motability business model it's a cost that has to be passed onto the customer. They do at least now include for basic hand controls but that's a cost that access for work would have picked up previously, it's worth knowing that anyone who does work can get those more complex adaptions paid for by access to work.

Ooh, I didn't know about the Access to Work thing, thanks Russ! Do you think with the current price of petrol you'd be pushing your luck if you enquired about assitance to buy petrol under ATW aswell?

I was just going to say that you can apply for a grant for some of the adaptions, then I saw you already mentioned it

[robbo100bike]

When you are searching on the motability website remember to try semi automatics too.

I recently got the Ctroem C4 Grand Picasson VTS+ on the scheme, its trip tronic (flappy paddle shift). Or can be driven a a full auto. Has 7 seats, aircon, usual electrics, cruise control, alloys etc It also 110bhp turbo diesel which is unusual in autos.

I needed at least 6 seats and my shortlist was the Citroen, Zafira and VW Touran. In the end i went for the Citroen beacuse its diesel, fully loaded and a top of the rang model. Wheras the other contenders were basic by comparison.

My deposit was £995 (hopefull the fuel savings will offset some of this cost in 3years).

I agree about the deposits tho, my first/2nd choice for an MPV would have been, Fords SMax or The Honda FRV. Their deposits were £3.5k and £4.5k respectively. Its actually cheaper to get the bigger ford galaxy than the Smax. Also the Smax and FRV are similar list price, to the Citroen. Doesnt make much sense.

Edited by robbo100bike, 03 July 2008 - 09:35 AM.

[Webwych]

robbo100bike, on Jul 3 2008, 10:34 AM, said:

When you are searching on the motability website remember to try semi automatics too.

I recently got the Ctroem C4 Grand Picasson VTS+ on the scheme, its trip tronic (flappy paddle shift). Or can be driven a a full auto. Has 7 seats, aircon, usual electrics, cruise control, alloys etc It also 110bhp turbo diesel which is unusual in autos.

I needed at least 6 seats and my shortlist was the Citroen, Zafira and VW Touran. In the end i went for the Citroen beacuse its diesel, fully loaded and a top of the rang model. Wheras the other contenders were basic by comparison.

My deposit was £995 (hopefull the fuel savings will offset some of this cost in 3years).

I agree about the deposits tho, my first/2nd choice for an MPV would have been, Fords SMax or The Honda FRV. Their deposits were £3.5k and £4.5k respectively. Its actually cheaper to get the bigger ford galaxy than the Smax. Also the Smax and FRV are similar list price, to the Citroen. Doesnt make much sense.

I contemplated a Micra semi-automatic when I thought I couldn't the car I wanted a few years ago but I was a bit unsure as my license stipulates 'Automatic'. Also from the description I've just read of semi-automatics, how would you fare with hand controls at the same time? I gather it can be done but I'd be interested to know if anyone here has that configuration and how you fared with it.

[ruth]

Webwych, on Jul 3 2008, 02:49 PM, said:

I contemplated a Micra semi-automatic when I thought I couldn't the car I wanted a few years ago but I was a bit unsure as my license stipulates 'Automatic'. Also from the description I've just read of semi-automatics, how would you fare with hand controls at the same time? I gather it can be done but I'd be interested to know if anyone here has that configuration and how you fared with it.

The 'automatic' bit of your license basically means you cant drive a vehicle with a manual clutch. All the semi automatics I have driven have an automatic mode anyway, so you dont need to change gear. Steer well clear of the Vauxhall semi automatic gearbox it is dreadful and one of the reasons I gave my Vauxhall Astra back to motability

[Webwych]

ruth, on Jul 3 2008, 05:52 PM, said:

The 'automatic' bit of your license basically means you cant drive a vehicle with a manual clutch. All the semi automatics I have driven have an automatic mode anyway, so you dont need to change gear. Steer well clear of the Vauxhall semi automatic gearbox it is dreadful and one of the reasons I gave my Vauxhall Astra back to motability

Ah, I see .

I am a toyota fan now - I've had this Yaris for two 'cycles' now, mainly so I could get the reduced rental and didn't have to pay for the hand controls to be replaced or removed. I am told these bekker controls I have now also fit on the Nissan Note, which looks like a nice car but if I can star with Toyota I will .

[robbo100bike]

Webwych, on Jul 3 2008, 02:49 PM, said:

robbo100bike, on Jul 3 2008, 10:34 AM, said:

When you are searching on the motability website remember to try semi automatics too.

I recently got the Ctroem C4 Grand Picasson VTS+ on the scheme, its trip tronic (flappy paddle shift). Or can be driven a a full auto. Has 7 seats, aircon, usual electrics, cruise control, alloys etc It also 110bhp turbo diesel which is unusual in autos.

I needed at least 6 seats and my shortlist was the Citroen, Zafira and VW Touran. In the end i went for the Citroen beacuse its diesel, fully loaded and a top of the rang model. Wheras the other contenders were basic by comparison.

My deposit was £995 (hopefull the fuel savings will offset some of this cost in 3years).

I agree about the deposits tho, my first/2nd choice for an MPV would have been, Fords SMax or The Honda FRV. Their deposits were £3.5k and £4.5k respectively. Its actually cheaper to get the bigger ford galaxy than the Smax. Also the Smax and FRV are similar list price, to the Citroen. Doesnt make much sense.

I contemplated a Micra semi-automatic when I thought I couldn't the car I wanted a few years ago but I was a bit unsure as my license stipulates 'Automatic'. Also from the description I've just read of semi-automatics, how would you fare with hand controls at the same time? I gather it can be done but I'd be interested to know if anyone here has that configuration and how you fared with it.

Think someone has addresed the licenece issue. The car doesnt have a clutch so i presume it complies as an automatic.

I am sure it would work perfectly well with hand controls. You can select manual drive using the paddle shift or just select full auto. When using the paddle shift, i find the controls are very easy n light, so u can change using one finger.

[Slowlegs]

Hi, I made my own set of hand controls a few years back and put a horn button and light flasher switch on them as I got cut off on roundabouts a few times and couldn't hit the horn. A good hand control maker should be able to put a couple of switches on your hand controls if the flappy paddles are electrically operated (if that is legal) if you want to use the manual option. I have often wondered why they don't put window switches, etc on them as I find it a pain to do windows or offer words of advice (swear at) to other motorists , etc on curvy roads when driving with hand controls.

[jane]

well, i have a motibility car and my other drive managed to prang it the other day - i rang up to arrange repair, the repair company would give me a ka!! to use - which obviously as i have a wheelchair to fit in wasn't appropriate. I also struggle with low down cars getting in and out - so i was told motobility would provide a car. however, whilst the garage give you a free courtesy car delivered, motobility have you pay out £40 as a fuel deposit which will have any fuel missing when car returned deducted - but as the car is delivered 15 miles away there will be fuel missing when they return it. And you have to wait for money to be refunded to your car. I was a bit miffed to say the least as money at the moment is in shorrt supply.

I have 18 months before i have to replace my car - perhaps i had better start saving now.

jane

[Webwych]

jane, on Aug 14 2008, 12:37 PM, said:

well, i have a motibility car and my other drive managed to prang it the other day - i rang up to arrange repair, the repair company would give me a ka!! to use - which obviously as i have a wheelchair to fit in wasn't appropriate. I also struggle with low down cars getting in and out - so i was told motobility would provide a car. however, whilst the garage give you a free courtesy car delivered, motobility have you pay out £40 as a fuel deposit which will have any fuel missing when car returned deducted - but as the car is delivered 15 miles away there will be fuel missing when they return it. And you have to wait for money to be refunded to your car. I was a bit miffed to say the least as money at the moment is in shorrt supply.

I have 18 months before i have to replace my car - perhaps i had better start saving now.

jane

Wow, when my car is going to be gone for a 'big service' (all day) they leave me with a toyota of another model (it differs) just for emergencies but I've never had to pay any kind of deposit.

Mind you they suddenly decided they didn't do a a pick-up service last time I had to send it for a check, and I chewed motability out about it, so I am very disinclined to get a Toyota from this dealership again. I am contemplating a Nissan Note because I can swap the hand controls straight from my Yaris.

[Lucydog]

Ive got a nissan Note and its fine for most things. I do prefer the door to open a bit wider but thats all. I get very nice service from my dealer, they just give me another Note as a courtesy car. Perhaps it has more to do with the dealership policy rather than motability.
Id really like to saty with Nissan as my husband likes them for one thing, but they dont seem to do a car thats actually big enough in their range without a massive deposit, so looks like it could be an astra next time round.

[Webwych]

Lucydog, on Aug 14 2008, 06:22 PM, said:

Ive got a nissan Note and its fine for most things. I do prefer the door to open a bit wider but thats all. I get very nice service from my dealer, they just give me another Note as a courtesy car. Perhaps it has more to do with the dealership policy rather than motability.
Id really like to saty with Nissan as my husband likes them for one thing, but they dont seem to do a car thats actually big enough in their range without a massive deposit, so looks like it could be an astra next time round.

Thanks Lucy!

I would get the 3-door as I find they have a wider passenger and driver door frame (there's only ever two people and one wheelchair in my car at most).

Well Toyota used to give me a courtesy car for as long as I've had this years (coming up for 6 years) then just this last test they went all funny on me, and motability were surprised when I told them what happened (Peugeot were always great too when I had my 206).

I've heard good things about my local Nissan dealer, so I will probably go with them next year but I'll be sure to ask the 'courtesy car' question before I commit!

[russ1]

Webwych, on Aug 14 2008, 07:09 PM, said:

Lucydog, on Aug 14 2008, 06:22 PM, said:

Ive got a nissan Note and its fine for most things. I do prefer the door to open a bit wider but thats all. I get very nice service from my dealer, they just give me another Note as a courtesy car. Perhaps it has more to do with the dealership policy rather than motability.
Id really like to saty with Nissan as my husband likes them for one thing, but they dont seem to do a car thats actually big enough in their range without a massive deposit, so looks like it could be an astra next time round.

Thanks Lucy!

I would get the 3-door as I find they have a wider passenger and driver door frame (there's only ever two people and one wheelchair in my car at most).

Well Toyota used to give me a courtesy car for as long as I've had this years (coming up for 6 years) then just this last test they went all funny on me, and motability were surprised when I told them what happened (Peugeot were always great too when I had my 206).

I've heard good things about my local Nissan dealer, so I will probably go with them next year but I'll be sure to ask the 'courtesy car' question before I commit!

Not a motability thing but I always use the dealers collect and return service where they turn up to either my work or my home, take the car away for the day service it and return it. Not much use if you need a car during the day but a whole lot more convenient than messing around driving to / from dealers and sorting out courtesy cars if you can manage without the car for a day. It's surprising how few people realise that dealers offer this service and just assume they have to organise a courtesy car. Just another option you might like to consider.

As someone who doesn't do the motability thing my dealers don't have hand control courtesy cars so that's not an option so the collect and deliver thing is the only way I can do it unless I wait while they do it.

[Webwych]

russ1, on Aug 15 2008, 11:13 AM, said:

As someone who doesn't do the motability thing my dealers don't have hand control courtesy cars so that's not an option so the collect and deliver thing is the only way I can do it unless I wait while they do it.

Russ, of all the courtesy cars I've had none of them have had hand controls - Mum or Dad are usually with me during the day when I'm not at Uni so they would drive me anywhere if it was an emergency.