Replacement for Toyota Previa conversion

[bjam99]

Hi guys, wondering if anyone can help.

My dad currently has an '03 Toyota Previa, conversion done by automotive. Currently it services his needs to a T. Its been relatively reliable but has started to exhibit some problems of late (it looks like the Turbo will need replacing which will be £££)

So we've started to look around for a replacement however we can't find anything suitable. It seems everything has moved towards either the smaller van based ones (Fiats, pugs Reno etc) or the giant ones. Doesn't seem to be anything inetween out there. The smaller ones are no good as my dad's electirc chair means he sits too high up in them and is just left looking at the roof lining. For him, the joy of having the car and living in deepest darkest wales is that he can do out for the day and do some sightseeing.

I've contacted a few places. I think the only one that may do (though it might be a tight squeeze headroom wise) is the Sharan. The Zafira is too low. Couple of places have stopped doing the Kia and the Chrysler all together now so just wondered if anyone else had some tips or info for alternatives? he might just have to stick with the problematic previa for a couple more years which isn't ideal.

[Burgerman]

Does he drive from a chair?
Passenger in rear, or up front?
What sort of chair?
What disability?

There are LOTS of different conversions. Chrysler and other minivans are still popular, for good reason. Side door means rear seat, etc stays and so you can drive with a full family and use the boot for shopping/hobby/whatever. And lowered floor means drive from chair, or ride up front as you wish.

There are many smaller vans too but that means rear entry. And that means you drive through the rear luggage/rear seat area...

[LROBBINS]

There are dropped-floor, kneeling suspension conversions of the Renault Kangoo and a few others (I think the VW Caddy is among them) that are small, but let a WC user see out. Many are for WC passenger use, a few are drive-from chair. Ciao, Lenny

[Burgerman]

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... -roadshow/

I suggest a visit to a couple of mobility shows. Heres some pictures I took at one.

[wheelchair cars ltd]

If I was changing from a toyota previa, i think i would go with the Brook miller kia sedona newer shape 2007 onwards, nice long lowered floor, good viability, give the old shape a wide berth though!

[bjam99]

I think the sedona will be the way to go. We'll definately be attending the next mobility roadshow in Telford next year. It was at one of these events that we saw the Previa, its great having the chance to test drive a load of them in one go.

In answer to some of the other questions - the ideal would be something like the Chrysler - side entry sitting next to the driver. Second option is the lower floored with entry from the back. He's a tetraplegic and the chair is a powered permobil one. Its pretty chunky as it has the ability to stand him up so thats why he sits higher which makes most vehicle conversions usuitable because he sits high in the vehicle. The Previa has the lowered floor (which means it has its own problems in terms of ground clearance) but by and large has been a great buy. If only they made new ones.

Does anyone have any links to companies doing the new Voyager conversion all complete in? (new) - I haven't been able to find much from googling. I've found a couple of companies which do the conversion (which seems to be you take the car to them for a bespoke conversion) This seems really pricey and not really what we needed?

[geordie graham]

I went to the Mobility Roadshow this year the only problem I found was that there were loads of the smaller vans/cars about non of them had an automatic ramp which meant you couldn`t go anywhere by yourself,you had to have someone to put the ramp up or down,and also the prices were astronomical.I was in a small VW van which had a lot of kit in it but the price was £55,000.When I asked where disabled people supposed to get that sort of money,he said they were mainly bought by people who had insurance payouts.I asked him what about the unfortunate people who became disabled not through accidents he just shrugged his shoulders.

[Burgerman]

This was 30k, brand new, imported from the US (Actually canada) complete with hand controls, electronic tie down, UK certification, shipping, and delivery and insurance.

Now has new runflat tyres and is 5 years old and looks new.

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... 2560-3.jpg

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images-startech-wheels

Obviously lowered floor, electric kneel and ramp, sat nav, cruise, and electric everything... etc.

You have to be mad to buy in the UK. It would have cost DOUBLE this to do so.

[geordie graham]

just looked at the pics you took at roadshow and think I will try and get a van similar size to the VW (vw`s are nice but pricey) and buy a side lift and get somebody to fit it.

Graham

[geordie graham]

And also have the drivers seat on a swivel plate.

[Burgerman]

But the floor is lowered in those pics. Without that you are looking at either bigger vans or very low speciality wheelchairs.

SOME vw conversions are not lowered, but only the centre part is accessible and the door entrance hits your head.

Have you not considered buying from the us? Will save a packet. There are lots of new or low mileage freshly adapted vans cheap!

[geordie graham]

Ah forgot about the height.I will have a good look around plenty of time need to save up the pennies.What i would like is a nice American V8.

[Burgerman]

Again, full sized vans are cheap in the US. Although fuel isnt cheap here! So big V8 is only a good idea if you fit a LPG conversion.