New 3 door petrol-boot for wheelchair

scooby77

In laws need new car. They're trading fairly good car (worth maybe 15k), and get vrt rebate, so budget not really an issue. ..but I'll say €45k rrp just to keep things reasonable.So far easy. However it must meet following criteria:
* 3 door only...my father in law, aged 80, in wheel chair. No longer drives. They intend to install swivel passenger seat for easier access. This can only be done in 3 doors car. In any event 3 door easier access. ..they never have rear seat passangers anyways
*must be petrol or hybrid automatic. No interest in electric. Do lots short journey so don't want diesel. Also get rebate on fuel
* must have boot big enough for wheelchair. But not a deep boot..and not too high off ground...ideally level loading area. Mother in law be lifting the wheelchair in and out and, although healthy, is 70.
*Must be reliable for 5 years. Although will only cover c. 60k km in that time.
Bit of a head scratcher. Thanks in advance.

Foxhole Norman

We had a customer into us in a wheelchair, he has a Mk7 GTi Golf and it's perfect for him, may be worth looking at, might be the perfect load height too as they're not exactly low.

Mooooo

Don't have many suggestions but look at those with the widest doors and less of a sill in the doors so easier to get into. Cousins bought a b class Merc as they said they liked the seat position getting in and out so may be worth a look, dunno how wide the door would be as it's a 5 door. Knew a man who was in a wheelchair and drove himself and he switched from a corrolla to a focus purely on the bigger doors in the 3 dr focus but that was the old model do t know if it's the same with the newer models. Perhaps a look at data sheets on the car may allow you to compare different one.
As he is able to transfer from the wheelchair he may not want to consider this, also will he be driving? but we have a WAV, its a fiat Diablo van essentially with a ramp at the back and a lowered floor, wheel chair goes in the back hook on two straps and the seatbelt and away you go. Very easy to drive as with big mirrors and windows in the back visibility is excellent, the mother prefers driving it to any other car., dad couldn't drive or transfer so was ideal for him Depending on the needs and that a wav may be no harm to look at for ideas

oscar2

Have a look at this website.Gives dimensions practical advice on what fits etc.

http://www.rica.org.uk/content/car-search

scooby77

Mooooo wrote: »

Don't have many suggestions but look at those with the widest doors and less of a sill in the doors so easier to get into. Cousins bought a b class Merc as they said they liked the seat position getting in and out so may be worth a look, dunno how wide the door would be as it's a 5 door. Knew a man who was in a wheelchair and drove himself and he switched from a corrolla to a focus purely on the bigger doors in the 3 dr focus but that was the old model do t know if it's the same with the newer models. Perhaps a look at data sheets on the car may allow you to compare different one.
As he is able to transfer from the wheelchair he may not want to consider this, also will he be driving? but we have a WAV, its a fiat Diablo van essentially with a ramp at the back and a lowered floor, wheel chair goes in the back hook on two straps and the seatbelt and away you go. Very easy to drive as with big mirrors and windows in the back visibility is excellent, the mother prefers driving it to any other car., dad couldn't drive or transfer so was ideal for him Depending on the needs and that a wav may be no harm to look at for ideas

Thanks for that. He doesnt drive anymore but having they tried a few of the WAV type cars they don't like for different reasons. Focus interesting

colm_mcm

There's no 3 door option in the current Ford Focus.