I've been planning my switch to a more adapted vehicle...I've been injured over 18 years now, and I have a bad arm (various torn ligaments & ruptured muscles, non-union shoulder separation, "messed up" elbow) and my job requires that I visit several job sites most days. I don't want to spend all of my energy loading & unloading my chair every day, and I don't want to avoid activities because it's too much hassle to load one more time (and the work stuff is unavoidable). I'm working with DVR to get help with funding for the equipment, but I have to buy the vehicle myself. They are having me work with a driver rehab specialist.
Anyhow, I was all set to get a Ford Transit Connect Wagon (which is what they call the passenger version of the van - it's the same vehicle, just with a finished interior), and I found out that the XL-Seat doesn't work with the 2016 model. I'm unclear if it works with the 2015, but I know it's been done (spoke with someone at Sanderson Ford in Arizona a few months ago). Another company is making a kit that will allow the XL-Seat to work, but Adapt Solutions doesn't recommend it. One possible issue is the amount of leg clearance that it allows. I'm fairly long-legged, so this is a concern for me. I can't tell if this is just politics, or if Adapt Solutions really doesn't think the kit is a good product. Does anyone know more about this?
I am capable of doing the transfer info the driver seat without a XL-Seat, but I'm worried that it's a bit far once I'm inside the car to hook my chair onto the Speedy Lift hook (the HI-LIFT is also an option, but you have to have the XL-Seat to do it). I also think that over time that transfer will be harder - with various safety features (yay for safety!) the gap between the door and the seat is getting to be bigger - I transfer better on the passenger side because I can push off with my good arm.
So I'm feeling stuck. I like the Ford, and it's a lot more affordable than a full-size mini van. We test drove one and it feels smaller than a full-sized mini van as well. I currently drive a non-adapted Honda Element, which is great fun to drive, very small and maneuverable. We will keep this car for my partner to drive, as we both love it. I think the Ford would be about 6' longer than my car, which is wild to think about!
I know that the Mazda 5 is an option, but since they've stopped making them they're a bit hard to find...we'd prefer a higher trim level than the Sport (which we currently own, and I hardly ever drive because I don't like it). The closest Mazda 5 with "Touring" trim level (mid-range) is about 800 miles away, which makes it hard to check out. I don't like the seats, I don't feel supported in them, and I don't love the feel of it when driving (for example, when I ease off the gas on my Honda, it slowly slows down...the Mazda is much jerkier and more sensitive).
So are mini vans now my only option? They are quite a bit more expensive than the Ford T.C.W. (at least $3-6K depending which features we pick). I don't care about the "image" of a car, I just care about the function. I like vehicles that are easy to see out of, easy to drive, and don't require an engineering degree or an advanced understanding of physics to park in a small parking garage (I live in the city). I started to get excited about a van when I looked at some of the fun options that come in the nicer trim packages, but wow are they pricey! One of the nice things about a van versus the Ford would be that power doors are usually an option (not an option with Ford).
I'd love some advice! It's been a difficult process to get used to the idea of the fact that I need more equipment in my life, I prefer to keep things simple, but I want to save my muscles for the fun stuff. :)
Speedy Lift, XL-Seat, Ford Transit Connect Wagon compability (or HI-LIFT)
Anyhow, I was all set to get a Ford Transit Connect Wagon (which is what they call the passenger version of the van - it's the same vehicle, just with a finished interior), and I found out that the XL-Seat doesn't work with the 2016 model. I'm unclear if it works with the 2015, but I know it's been done (spoke with someone at Sanderson Ford in Arizona a few months ago). Another company is making a kit that will allow the XL-Seat to work, but Adapt Solutions doesn't recommend it. One possible issue is the amount of leg clearance that it allows. I'm fairly long-legged, so this is a concern for me. I can't tell if this is just politics, or if Adapt Solutions really doesn't think the kit is a good product. Does anyone know more about this?
I am capable of doing the transfer info the driver seat without a XL-Seat, but I'm worried that it's a bit far once I'm inside the car to hook my chair onto the Speedy Lift hook (the HI-LIFT is also an option, but you have to have the XL-Seat to do it). I also think that over time that transfer will be harder - with various safety features (yay for safety!) the gap between the door and the seat is getting to be bigger - I transfer better on the passenger side because I can push off with my good arm.
So I'm feeling stuck. I like the Ford, and it's a lot more affordable than a full-size mini van. We test drove one and it feels smaller than a full-sized mini van as well. I currently drive a non-adapted Honda Element, which is great fun to drive, very small and maneuverable. We will keep this car for my partner to drive, as we both love it. I think the Ford would be about 6' longer than my car, which is wild to think about!
I know that the Mazda 5 is an option, but since they've stopped making them they're a bit hard to find...we'd prefer a higher trim level than the Sport (which we currently own, and I hardly ever drive because I don't like it). The closest Mazda 5 with "Touring" trim level (mid-range) is about 800 miles away, which makes it hard to check out. I don't like the seats, I don't feel supported in them, and I don't love the feel of it when driving (for example, when I ease off the gas on my Honda, it slowly slows down...the Mazda is much jerkier and more sensitive).
So are mini vans now my only option? They are quite a bit more expensive than the Ford T.C.W. (at least $3-6K depending which features we pick). I don't care about the "image" of a car, I just care about the function. I like vehicles that are easy to see out of, easy to drive, and don't require an engineering degree or an advanced understanding of physics to park in a small parking garage (I live in the city). I started to get excited about a van when I looked at some of the fun options that come in the nicer trim packages, but wow are they pricey! One of the nice things about a van versus the Ford would be that power doors are usually an option (not an option with Ford).
I'd love some advice! It's been a difficult process to get used to the idea of the fact that I need more equipment in my life, I prefer to keep things simple, but I want to save my muscles for the fun stuff. :)
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