Wondering if anyone had any suggestions.
SWMBO has a lovely 96P Audi A4 Avant but I think that she wants to change it as she is killing her back by putting our disabled son into his seat in the back. He is quite a lump even at the age of 3!!
Is there a car on the market that has higher back seats that would put a lot less strain on her back? She does not want a big MPV or 4x4 and does not like the idea of the Scenic as she feels that it does not have a big enough boot for all the accompanying clobber. Also from my point of view, I am not looking to get a new car as isn't there a Grand Scenic available?
I can't really think of many save for perhaps that Zafira. Is something like the 307SW higher or does it just have a high roof line?
Any thoughts welcomed (and hopefully I can persuade her to keep her car as it is a really nice runner!).
|
CM
We had exactly this problem, putting a disabled child into a Renault Laguna was wrecking my wife\'s back. We bought a Citroen Berlingo, the rear seats are higher then the front, plenty of head room and the boot is big and boxy ideal for the buggy and additional kit we need to cart around.
Mark
|
|
|
The Scenic is actually deceptive. It coped admirable with a two week camping holiday in France with three of us on board.
Someone I know has a disabled child and a Scenic and it copes very well. They like the fact the seating is very high in the back.
I suggest you take child, and clobber to a Renault dealer and try it out. (all above applies to a Citroen Picasso as well)
(as BobbyG points out in antoher thread you need to test child seats in it as well as the back seats are a tad narrow)
Yes there is a Grand Scenic available, Its new(ish) and is a stretched Mk2.
Berlingo's and Kangoo's would be good too. Might be a good idea to think now about a car/van that can take an occupied wheel chair in through the back doors if the disability requires that.
|
More and more people appreciate higher vehicles even without a 'real' reason. They are simply much easier to get in and out of.
There are loads on the market. Obviously almost every 4x4 (except Subarus! although the Forester is very easy to access), All MPVs both small (Hyundai Matrix), medium (Citroen Picasso/Ford C-MAX etc) and large (Galaxy etc).
Also, Merc A-Class, Audi A2.
And converted vans - Fiat Doblo, Renault Kangoo, Citroen Multispace. These are very good value.
Also, Fiat Idea & Multipla.
Have a look in the car magazines listings sections with photographs, for some idea.
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
|
My brother runs a Mitsubishi Space Wagon he's very pleased with. Plenty of room in the boot, ultra reliable for the two years he's owned it.
--
andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
|
|
|
|
The Toyota Yaris Verso seems to fit your requirements - See the HJ's Car-by-car breakdown on this site. Easy access, huge room for size, low loading platform at rear, ugly as sin - but who cares.
Also Which said it was No 1 in the recent customer satisfaction poll.
|
Thanks all for the advice. I have had some other thoughts as well along the lines of a subaru forester or legacy outback, grand scenic and focus c-max.
does anyone have any practicle experince with the c-max?
don't need 7 seats but I have been told that it has to sit 3 across the back easily (although I only have 2 kids!!!!)
|
|
Go on, give the SEAT Altea a look! Reading a review last night against a Golf, and for quality and drive the Altera beats the Golf into second place!
|
|
|
As per my other post, I can vouch for the new Scenic being a great car. Can't comment on the Grand Scenic but would suggest that would be even better for your requirements as, with the rear seats folded away, the boot is enormous.
One thing I would suggest you consider is cars with sliding doors. My father has a Peugeot 806 and, although I am not necessarily saying go for the 806, he has found the sliding doors very advantageous. Either in tight spaces or, through his voluntary work, being able to wheel clients up to the car in their wheelchair without having to negotiate a door. Helps to give the "helper" a more natural lifting position than squatting against an open door.
|
|
|
don't need 7 seats but I have been told that it has to sit 3 across the back easily (although I only have 2 kids!!!!)
You may well find that the Multipla is worth a look, in that case - 3 separate, full-size seats in both back and front, all with individually adjustable backrests.
|
|
|
|
|
Any thoughts welcomed
>>
a colleague of a friend uses the suzuki-wagonR.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?p_make=SUZ...2
\" Similar in concept to original, but much better looking. 76 bhp chain-cam 1,298cc engine with 85 lb ft torque. 14in wheels. Basically the same as the Vauxhall Agila. To get Fiat\'s 60 bhp, 1.2 litre 100 mpg CDI diesel engine in 2002. Joint 17th from Top in 144 car ... \"
|
The Seat Altea looks really good. Will have a look although I think that the boot might be too small.
Trying to get the wife to drive around in a Wagon-R, Doblo, other van like thing will be more trounle than it is worth!!!
One other thing - are their child bolster seats that swivel? By that I mean that you can load kid into the seat with legs dangling out of the door and then turn the seat to proper passenger position. I think it is my wife is twisting her back too much to place my son in his seat that is the main problem.
|
|
|
|
|
My wife and my daughter in law both have weak backs and find our Picasso the best vehicle for lifting our 7 month old granddaughter complete with safety seat. The boot is much larger and more practical than an A4 Avant, 3 Series Touring etc. Not as nice to drive mind you but value for money, loads around, low prices, I'd recommend you look at it.
|
|
It may be a bit soon for you to look at wheelchair accessible vehicles, but when you need to try the motability sales section of www.justmobility.co.uk
|
|
|
|
