The modification was completed, I just received the car a couple of days ago. I told my dad take pictures as much as possible. Unfortunately, his photography skills are really ... bad. Almost cannot be used, I can only select a few of them.
https://goo.gl/photos/bgHcdbrkUZGSr9JQ9Here are some info:
- The total cost (including the paperwork) is $2.000. I am curious if it is low or high or reasonable accordingly to the life in EU/US?
- The foldable ramp was bought separately. I imported it from US, the total cost (including ship/tax to VN) is $500. Its cost (including ship/tax) in US is only $230 => too cheap for an excellent US made ramp. Do you see it's unfair that people in a poor country have to pay double more than people in a rich country for a same thing
- The total modifying time is 6 weeks. At the beginning the workshop estimated only 3 weeks. But they then realized that all their tools were useless for the job of raising roof. In fact almost works were manually done. That's why it took too long time.
- Although the technicians in the workshop were enthusiastic and tried their best, the final result is far to reach the 'EU made' quality. They were unable to fit glasses as Olmedo did and the interior roof lining looks ugly. That's the consequence of lacking the right tools.
I tested the adapted car through a short strip to a beach near my house (15km). I could drive up the ramp and it was fairly easy. My dad still followed at the rear to ensure safety but he did not need to push the chair. I note that my arm is very weak, in fact I must use the shoulder muscle (not arm, not hand) to push the joystick. Others with less severe disabilities absolutely can drive up the ramp much more easily. So I am surprised that BM was scared when driving up a Doblo taxi
Maybe because its ramp is too short? I could not turn the powerchair around inside the car, so I could not drive down the ramp. My dad had to move out the powerchair reversely but it was very quick and easy. Seating (on the powerchair) inside the car was my main trouble. Firstly, I felt unstable, unbalance especially while the car runs on a curved road. Secondly, seating was truly like a POPE, I mean the position is to high. I could not watch roads, scenes over the side windows. I could only see a few metres of road surface through the car front glass => that was nothing other than making me dizzy. Overall, seating was really uncomfortable. I think I could not survive if the car runs continuously for a long distance (i.e 100km). Maybe I must buy another powerchair with tilt and recline functions.