4 wheel drive vehicles

[Emi2]

We are trying to sell our van and buy a new vehicle. We want 4 wheel drive, a truck would be nice, but i need to drive from my powerchair and need to fit 2 kids (hopefully) and the hubby would need to be able to drive it too. Is there any solution out there? Does anyone make 4 wheel drive minivans? Or convert subarus etc?

[addiesue]

Trying to get a new vehicle is so hard isn't it. I have no help but wanted to say good luck.

[Riz]

I have an 04 Chrysler Town & Country mini van and I think that it had an all wheel drive option.


Good luck!

[sjean423]

Emi, I'm confused here. If you will be driving from your chair, doesn;t that mean the front seat is taken out? How would anyone else be able to drive it, can the seat be put back in or something?

(Dealing with new cars myself too here .... need a car with room for 2 teenagers, 2 adults, a dog and the chair, with a level transfer! We have a minivan now, which has the room, except that I can't get in independently)

[Scott Pruett]

subaru... no powerchair's gonna fit.

lowered floor minivan... no 4wd b/c you can't send a driveshaft back to the rear wheels.

full size vans... these guys can do a 4x4 conversion: http://www.quigley4x4.com/

[Emi2]

Originally Posted by sjean423

Emi, I'm confused here. If you will be driving from your chair, doesn;t that mean the front seat is taken out? How would anyone else be able to drive it, can the seat be put back in or something?

(Dealing with new cars myself too here .... need a car with room for 2 teenagers, 2 adults, a dog and the chair, with a level transfer! We have a minivan now, which has the room, except that I can't get in independently)

yeah, the drivers chair can usually be put back.

[paramoto]

Originally Posted by addiesue

Trying to get a new vehicle is so hard isn't it. I have no help but wanted to say good luck.

Buying anything SCI is tough. I bought a volvo XC70 for me, but now my wife needs a new car and we either buy something that I can drive when needed (her car now is a 4x4 stick shift that used to be mine some time before my accident) or she gets the volvo and I buy something for me.

I would like something AWD or 4x4 but no more than 25" floor to seat bottom, preferrably not too big. The only thing I have found is the Suzuki SX4, but that is 4 doors and they seem very small to pass a chair through. I have looked at everything I think. Is there anything with two doors, AWD, not too tall and not too big????

[Scott Pruett]

the 2008 Audi A5 looks promising & should have an AWD option...

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/A5.html

...likely well out of my price range though.

[forestranger52]

It is difficult for people in powerchairs to fit into vehicles because of the floor, to top of head measurement. Powerchairs are typically much higher than manual wheelchairs. Mine is 58 inches and I don't fit into many vehicles. I would check your's before searching too far. Most drivers in powerchairs end up in full size vans, 4x4's or regular. I came on a vehicle conversion web site in Canada, that would lift a driver in a powerchair, on a platform that you drive onto, into the driver area of a pick up truck. The conversion cost $45,000.00 without the truck.
Thanks. MAC

[nick]

I remember Shaun (moderator on here) posting pictures of his new pontoon boat he had bought and he had a F-250 4x4 conversion van. Maybe trying to send him a PM and see what his thoughts are on having such a vehicle.

Why are you concerned with having all wheel drive or 4x4?

If you really never had vehicles with it before it may be a waste of money to buy one now. We have a construction company with lot's of trucks but have never bought with the 4x4 package. Our moto was, if it looks like you can't cross it, then you probably aren't going to make it.

Unless you are looking into off roading, it we be ideal.

Just my $0.02
Eddie