John, just look for the motorized doors on the side of the van. And hope for a motorized ramp too. Best Wishes In a message dated 12/3/2009 3:40:49 P.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
What line do you guys get in to get these vans? Am I doing something seriously wrong? Curious, john ____________________________________ From: Don Price <[email protected]> To: RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]>; [email protected] Sent: Mon, November 30, 2009 12:05:35 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] information about mini vans versus full size and wheelchair I'm a c5-6 and drive from my powerchair. I have reduced effort braking and steering, and mechanical hand controls [MPD.] My first vehicle was a full size van ['84 Ford Econoline,] with a Ricon lift. After that I got a '90 Dodge Caravan minivan with a passenger-side ramp. And my current vehicle is a '06 Honda Element, with a passenger-side ramp. All of the vehicles had dropped floor conversions to accomodate my height. The full-size van was great for long trips, and the minivan was great for short trips. My Honda Element is the funnest to drive, and gets the best gas mileage of the three. The Honda conversion was done by Freedom Motors: _http://www.fminow.com/?gclid=CK2l4ZGmnJwCFShRagod_FBPdg_ (http://www.fminow.com/?gclid=CK2l4ZGmnJwCFShRagod_FBPdg) They also convert Scions, PT Cruisers and Toyota Siennas. Mobility technology has improved dramatically over the years and from vehicle to vehicle, but the more high-tech things become, the more difficult [and expensive] they are to repair or replace. The EZ Lock system seems to be the industry standard and is crash tested for saftey. With the side-entry vehicles I've learned to park 'defensively,' meaning park at the ends of rows or in spaces that prevent others from parking me in. Still, it happens from time to time, and that's a major source of frustration.
