Hi all,

I haven't been on this forum in quite a while, since I sold my S (man, do I miss it! I still drool every time I see one). However, I was hoping to use the collective wisdom of the forum to help my cousin out. Here's the quick info:

Mid fifties gent and his wife of the same age are looking for a wagon that is non-German in the 20k range (used is obviously an option). Because of the cancer and subsequent surgeries, he no longer has the use of his legs. They live back East, and need an awd vehicle. It can't be an SUV because he plans to sit in the front passenger seat, and can, with difficulty, slide across from his wheelchair into the front seat. The front passenger seat must have electronic adjustments (if he wants to adjust it, he's concern that if it's a manual adjust the back part of the seat will 'flop' down and he won't be able to recover.

He's currently looking at the Honda Accord Crosstour which is acceptable, and will next look at the Toyota Venza. I had suggested a used Volvo wagon. He likes the Subaru Forester and Impreza, but they don't have electric seats. Not sure the Mitsu Lancer 5 door does either. A sedan might be ok, but only if his wife can get the wheelchair into the trunk with relative ease (low loading height).

Any suggestions? Many thanks.

 

so looking for Low slung vehicles and AWD.
Subaru Forester would be the go to. I'd double check on power seats on limited versions

Subaru Legacy has power seats in it's "Limited trim" as it's supposed to be their upscale unit (but just a sedan I think)

I hate to say it, but Ford Flex has power, some good ratings and 6-way passenger seat on it's SEL or limited version. They are pretty low slung like a cross-over. Getting a wheelchair into the back would be pretty easy compared to some SUV and hatchbacks.
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/flex/2010/

Volvo has options but that's practically German and I'm not sure on the reliability of the t5 turbo motor. Probably worth looking into as they don't command high resale value

Acura made a TSX AWD wagon. It wasn't very popular and I bet its 25K and up still.

 

Berny -

Thanks. I thought the TSX was fwd only? I'm thinking if I can find an older Subbie, that might also be good if I can find out re: electric seats.

 

Isn't there a company that makes a wheelchair accessible variant of the Honda Element?

 

I think I was wrong Stating the Acura TSX having an AWD varient. I don't think it does. I probably confused it with the RDX and TL

Subaru Outback has 4-way power passenger seat in 2010 and 2013 according to this site - might be in the Forester and previous years of the Outback as well on the limited or Premium.
2010 http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outbac...tyle=101165870

http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outbac...tyle=200425502

 

Subaru Forrester is one of the easiest cars to get in and out of.

 

Totally forgot about the Toyota Highlander. It's essentially a Camry chassis so it's crossover low. They have a 4wd option and the limited has power passenger seat. Might not be as low as a Subaru depending on what year and model you look at.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Toyota_Highlander/2011/specs/Highlander-4WD-4dr-V6--Limited-(SE)-327133/

 

Just guessing, but I assume there are companies that specialize in converting vehicles for the disabled. I would talk to them first, see what they have experience with and recommend. If they have a bunch of CAD drawings for custom parts they have done to build a wheelchair friendly say Element, it would be cheaper to knock one more of those out than doing a whole new from scratch conversion on a model they have never worked with.

 

It sounded like he wants a normal vehicle for a while before going with a full blown rig.

This place is in AZ and Cali - looks like they have a variety of vans primarily. New and used.
http://www.abilitycenter.com/invento...chair-vans.php

 

zdave, I'll check into the element - good idea, not sure if it's low enough.

Vader, yes, there are companies out there that will make conversions, but it's all about $. Evidently there's a company that makes a pretty cool seat that will swivel and telescope out to 'meet' a person out side the care, but it's $8k, making it unreasonable for my cousin.

Thanks again guys!