Looking for an economical and reasonably reliable vehicle to carry four people and a mobility scooter. The scooter is of the 8MPH type, so a fair size. A "window van" might be good bet, however budget is limited to circa £3K. Any suggestions as to what might suit?
Early Berlingo. Fiat Doblo, maybe. Volvo V90 if they did a diesel version. Citroen XM Estate (Hydraulic suspension, less height to lift the scooter)(but... reliability requires careful and regular maintenance). LandRover 110 Crewcab Pickup.
Richard
ROFL! It's do the job though.
Old Renault Espace?
The scooter won't fit in one of these. I'm not sure it'd fit in a Dispatch/Expert/Scudo, either, but I'll have to measure it. The scooter doesn't come apart easily.
Again, too small, by the look.
It won't fit. It's an 8MPH road-going (possibly) one and it doesn't come apart. I wish it would, it would go in the boot of my car!
Vaguely possible, by the look, but (as far as I know) thirsty and not very reliable.
I do not want a great bit hi-top LWB Transit, either - so you see, it's a bit difficult!
Any more suggestions will be most welcome! Thanks for the thoughts.
Contact your local NHS Mobility Centre for advice, see
Hope to help, Paul
somehow I doubt three grand will get you very far with them!
Get a copy of the DDMC magazine.
There are quite a few adverts for secondhand adapted or other vehicles=20 in that, which will already be used for what you describe.
I've seen a few bargains in there over the last few years. Something=20 like a short wheelbase Transit might be an idea, the small crew bus=20 version. They even did a 'luxury' version (and still do!) with better=20 quality seats, music system, interior trim and a one-piece tailgate=20 called the Tourneo if you can find a secondhand one of those
The VW range has the Caravelle which is slightly smaller than the=20 Tranny, but bigger than a standard variety MPV. Airlines like British=20 Airways use the Caravelle as the interiors are comfortable, and crews=20 like using them for shuttle buses.
This place is just one example
I'd have expected the handlebars to drop (not an issue), but if it is too long to go in widthwise, fair enough. You're going to have a lot of trouble in your budget then.
They're bigger than the Berlingo/Kangoo things.
It won't fit in an XM Estate? Wow. Good luck finding any car it'll fit in then. An XM Estate with the seats down is large enough to take an entire three-piece suite - even a hatchback will take a single bed and let you close the back.
Perfectly reliable, thirsty is relative - ANY big diesel thing is going to struggle to do better than 35mpg.
Well... you have a problem. You're either going to have to lose the 4 people aspect, or have a van. If the scooter really is that big. Dimensions would help!
Richard
At the risk of being nosy (and obvious) is it not a more viable proposition to get a "transportable" scooter for trips away from home and just keep the beastie for home ground.
No , but these sort of things do get sold on either when replaced or because the wheelchair user is no longer an issue. They may be able to point you in the direction of dealers in such vehicles
Have you considered a trailer to put the scooter on? It could be left behind when not needed.
OOhps forgot to mention, If your licence is a newish one check for 'trailer allowance' as newer licencees require a test for trailers now!
Public transport, we have an excellent network in the UK
Which UK is that? Certainly not the one I live in!
Chris
I hear what you are saying, but what I posted still stands. Dealers in=20 adpated vehicles don't care for the lower ticket vehicles as they tend=20 to be older and less profitable. From what I've seen of dealer ads in=20 other magazines they don't tend to offer much of anything under the ten=20 grand slot.
It is a limited market after all, so the dealerships would tend to go=20 for quality and not quantity with any adapted secondhand vehicles. The=20 Motability secondhand scheme also has age restrictions (or did do, not=20 looked recently just what it is)
That's why I posted the DDMC link as they have plenty of private sale=20 adverts for those vehicles in their magazine.
You're obviously living in London then, or a very large city.
Outside these areas, PT is a joke, especially if you're in a wheelchar, or even if you have a pram/pushchair.
Pete.
The message from Flying Rat contains these words:
And they come up on eBay from time to time...
Amen! Here in Scotland, I'm entitled to free travel on local buses...... if only there were some buses I could get the chair on :-( Or taxis. Or even a train. Without having to give 7 days notice.
Oh yes, public transport is a great option.
Anne
"Gogs" wrote in news:1150595032.323970.259080 @p79g2000cwp.googlegroups.com:
We do? Can't see it here mate.
snipped-for-privacy@perverse.engineering.com wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:
I find the best way for a wheelchair to get around my part of Scotland is to have an estate car to put it in. Minutes notice, free parking etc. Beats PT hands down. But I bet you knew that. ;-)
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.