VPG MV-1 opinions

[Paladin]

Looking into the VPG MV-1 you guys seem to know a lot about all things mobility. I am 11 years diagnosed MS patien working my way to full time chair user. Studying new vehicles and would like to do the best for my family and myself. Planning for a less mobile future. Been following along on many threads and enjoy the up beat techeys out there.

[ancientgimp]

As the MV-1 is sold you cannot get out by yourself, the controls for ramp are in the door panel not accessible to the inside chair user. Then when the door is open you cannot reach the controls from inside. The MV-1 is a taxi or for a wheelchair passenger w AB driver. The ramp itself, even the long version is so steep my manual chair would have flipped w/o salesman holding it. It is doable in pwr chair. At present there is no 6 way pwr driver seat.

[Paladin]

Yes Ive heard of the controls for an escort. Spoke to sales and tere is an add on module in the works. Dont know when, how or how muich $.

Also heard of another user not being able to use ramp in a manual chair. Saleman in Pittsburg says he has been up the ramp in a COG chair himself without problem. Dont believe him.

Seems like a good price point hope they work thing out for an independant user. Whithout a track record wonder what else may pop up.

[Katja]

See a list of previous threads about the MV-1 here: http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showpos...74&postcount=9

[Donno]

I have bought three Dodge Grand Caravan conversions on Ebay in the last 12 years. At this point, there is no way I would buy anything new unless I hit the lottery. The last van was a VMI infloor ramp with a 6 way seat, satellite radio, 3.8l engine, 18K miles, and only $25,000. The only thing I had to add was hand controls.

[MSspouse]

Got a chance to see one of these briefly. My primary concern was how well they are put together overall and if they are potential rust bomb underneath. They're pretty low so it was hard to see the entire undercarriage, but from what I saw they look pretty well done. Living in the midwest rust belt I wouldn't hesitate to buy it over a modified van. The MV1 body will probably last 2 or 3 times longer. Personally I wouldn't touch any 10 year old vehicle that has been driven frequently in the salt, let alone one that has been chopped up underneath and repainted.
I also think it would be a good choice for primary progressive MS because it should be able to be adapted to changing needs. By the time you want to drive from a chair there will be off-the-shelf solutions. We are now in a power chair and very few vehicles have the door height for that. It's a high top van with door extensions, Sprinter, MV1, or a chop floor solution. If only they offered MV1 with the Mercedes Bluetech or a european Ford diesel I'd be all over it. Hard to justify though when the Sprinter gets 50% better mileage and will probably have better resale.

[swannyriver]

Move to Europe and get one of these. http://www.automotivegroup.co.uk/pdf...A4_2pp_v04.pdf

[forestranger52]

Since a wheelchair can sit in the passenger compartment, it should be able to be driven from one. If so, I would love to have one.

[MSspouse]

Originally Posted by swannyriver

Move to Europe and get one of these. http://www.automotivegroup.co.uk/pdf...A4_2pp_v04.pdf

Not bad but rear entry can be dicey. And they'll never bring it here. There was the VW Eurovan but I'm not sure what the door entry height was on those.

[Automotive Innovations]

Originally Posted by MSspouse

Got a chance to see one of these briefly. My primary concern was how well they are put together overall and if they are potential rust bomb underneath. They're pretty low so it was hard to see the entire undercarriage, but from what I saw they look pretty well done. Living in the midwest rust belt I wouldn't hesitate to buy it over a modified van. The MV1 body will probably last 2 or 3 times longer. Personally I wouldn't touch any 10 year old vehicle that has been driven frequently in the salt, let alone one that has been chopped up underneath and repainted.
I also think it would be a good choice for primary progressive MS because it should be able to be adapted to changing needs. By the time you want to drive from a chair there will be off-the-shelf solutions. We are now in a power chair and very few vehicles have the door height for that. It's a high top van with door extensions, Sprinter, MV1, or a chop floor solution. If only they offered MV1 with the Mercedes Bluetech or a european Ford diesel I'd be all over it. Hard to justify though when the Sprinter gets 50% better mileage and will probably have better resale.

I'll be impressed if the MV1 is even still around in 5 years.

I wouldn't be purchasing a vehicle from a new company in the market with no history of service and satisfaction. Over the past 25+ years we've seen a lot of new companies come to us with something new (and wanting us to sell it). We send most of them packing unless i really think it's going to stand the test of time and i believe were going to be able to get parts for the next 10+ years

I doubt the MV1 is going to last 2-3 times longer than a quality lowered floor mini van. I'd be impressed if it held together as long never mind 2-3 times.

I've had many clients get more than 10 years here in the north east out of there lowered floor mini van.
If i was looking for a taxi cab with a long steep ramp id think about a mv1 (but more than likely still want a Honda).
If i wanted the best there was when it came to safety and longevity (and didn't need 4 wheel drive) i'd pick a VMI Honda with a Northstar conversion hands down.

The mv1 it is not designed to be driven by a person in a wheelchair.

How can it be able to be adapted to changing needs?
Are you going to have someone cut it up and modify it?

Mind you i've only worked on 100's of these for more than 25 years

imho: Quality converted minivans are vastly superior to the VPG MV-1 in ease-of-use, design, safety, and feature content. Furthermore, VPG does not have a significant price advantage over converted minivans.