new car info

boppob

Hello,

I am buying a car and am fairly restricted due to disability so am unsure of what to go for.
I would be inclined to go for a 2/3 door but its not a definite, I'd also be going for an automatic.
I've tried a Citroen c4 but found it a little lacking on legroom, tried a focus but its a little low.
So I'm looking for any helpful tips on cars.

My requirements would be,
good legroom
decent seat height
automatic
maybe 3door but if I found the right car 5door would be okay
not brand new maybe 1-5yrs old.

I'm also wondering what the seat height and legroom would be on a golf or golf plus compared to a focus and do focus's have different seat heights/legroom on different versions?

I also thought of looking at a suzuki sx4, think its only a 5door but seems good height so would be glad to hear from anyone with experiance of one.

Any help with possibly suitable cars would be welcome thanks.

GTE

I've always thought the Totoya Corolla (last generation hatchback) was quite a high car seat wise. My mam has one and its definitely higher then my mark 4 Golf.

Its also an automatic but Im not a fan of it. The acceleration seems to be either on or off. Savage throttle response, not that its so fast (:rolleyes:) but its almost impossible to feather the throttle. You just take off. Mad. I always had a sore neck after being in it with my mam but I have a feeling she isnt open to adapting her technique to fit the way the car responds.

I wouldnt nominate a Mark 4 Golf either. As I said its lower then the Corolla and I think by quite a margin and if you were to raise the seat I think the leg room gets slashed.

boppob

Thanks bbk, I'll look in to that.

Any other info is much appreciated.

Henry Ford III

For decent seat height and accessibilty a mini mpv might be a good call.

boppob

Thanks, I've had a look at one or two and they do have good height but door width and leg room can be a problem, I'll try to look at a few more and see if I can find any of them suitable in an automatic.

Keep it coming

boppob

Does anyone know if there is a list of cars that come in automatic anywhere?

Also if anyone else has any helpful information I'd be very grateful.

Tubbs4

If you look up carzone (link) and go to search and then select transmission type = Automatic and it will show all the automatic cars for sale only.
Hope this helps

Padraig Mor

May be a bit outside your apparent budget but the current model Citroën C5 (2008-) has large doors and high seats. Should be a few auto 2.0 diesels around. The older model should be available for half nothing but im not sure about seating.

boppob

Thanks Tubbs4, very helpful, I assume if an automatic is in anyway common or easy to come by there'd be at least one on sale on carzone?

Thanks Padraig Mor, I'll add it to the list of ones to try although 2l seems quite big.

Out of curiosity is there a reason why automatics seem to have bigger engines than their manual counterparts, take the qashqai in manual I think it goes down to 1.5 or less but in auto I think the smallest is 2l, is there a reason?

Hootanany

My mates is disabled and is on his 4th Avensis he loves them

hurleronditch

How about the honda jazz or skoda roomster, neither areglamourous, buth both are comfortable, reliable, available in auto, and will hold their value.

renault megane old model 3 door is quite sporty looking but has a suprisingly high seat, though some people are averse to renault

boppob

Thanks Hootanany, I've tried the Avensis but find them very low and uncomfortable.

Thanks hurleronditch, I'm well over 6ft so don't think the jazz is a goer but the roomster and megane are worth checking.

Bodhan

Hi Boppob,

There is really only one car I can think of suits all your need apart maybe your budget. The C-Max has a high seating position but you're above the pedals, there are a number of people with hip problems who like them. With the 2.0 ltr engine and auto box they are a joy to drive.
Plenty of room, easy to park and a low loading lip, there's nothing to beat them for your needs.
Here's one on carzone but there's plenty around. http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/C-Max/ACTIV-2./201009197100717/advert?channel=CARS
Hope that helps ya.

boppob

Thanks Bodhan, great info, Its a little pricey but I'll keep a lookout for one a little cheaper, mind me asking do you know is there much difference between the c-max and focus c-max?

Bodhan

boppob wrote: »

Thanks Bodhan, great info, Its a little pricey but I'll keep a lookout for one a little cheaper, mind me asking do you know is there much difference between the c-max and focus c-max?

When the C-Max was launched it was called the Focus C-Max, then they dropped the Focus, there's no difference that I'm aware of. The auto really only came to Ireland last year hence it has to be 2009 model.
Mondeo is a good car for you too, just the pedals make it feel low, so the seating position might not suit.

boppob

Thanks again Bodhan, very helpful.

vectra

Wheelchair??
What mods would you have to make?

boppob

vectra wrote: »

Wheelchair??
What mods would you have to make?

Part-time but not too much in cars, looking like I'll need seat adjustments to get comfortable driving position, allow seat to go back further but this can have its own problems with steering wheel position.

I tend to be be very uncomfortable if I have to keep my legs bent for any period of time.


All useful input welcome.:)

R.O.R

We have a driver who has mobility problems on our fleet - he had a serious knee injury and can't bend one of his legs.

He's currently in a C-Class Coupe as that's the only car he's found where the seat goes right down to the floor allowing him to keep his leg straight. The base of the seat is more or less at the same level as the pedals. Don't know if this seating position would help you, but it's quite an unusual suggestion which might work.

Other benefits of this car is that it's a 3 door, so has a nice long door to get in through and because the seat goes so low, you should have plenty of head height. I seem to remember our driver was a good bit over 6 foot when I handed the car over to him.

A good few for sale in various budgets on carzone - http://www.carzone.ie/search/results?searchsource=finder&nParam=4294910978%2B102548&channel=CARS&cacheBuster=1277886496359176#nParam=4294910978%2B102548%2B200590%2B200285%2B200609&sortby=p_VehiclePriceEUR|0&channel=CARS&currency=EUROS&searchResultsView=THUMBNAIL&maxrows=10

boppob

Thanks R.O.R, I'll add it to the list, I'm not sure if this seating position would suit but I'll defiantly give it a go.

I should have been a little clearer in my other post, while I can't really tolerate my legs being bent for long periods, They don't have to be fully straight, a slight bend is okay.