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Wheelchair Hoist Help

Good Afternnon everyone I wonder if I could ask for some help please. My wife had a Renault Masters van with electric steps and a rear Ricoh Lift. She uses a Kymco K-Activ powerchair and this will fold to about a 1m cube and weighs 97KG. The van was completely destroyed by fire in a senseless arson attack a few weeks ago and we are trying to replace it. We have quite specific requirements -
at least 5 usable seats preferrably 7
automatic (she only has an auto licence)
She does not want another big van that is difficult to park and she couldn't park in a normal bay as she couldn't open the door fully.
She can walk a little so I thinking a large car with a hoist but what car? I can't find out the requirement of the boot apperture height and length. I have been looking for a couple of weeks. The one car that seems to work best is the Ford Grande Tourneo Connect but they are like hen's teeth and very expensive. Can anyone please offer alternative suggestions? I have tried Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Expert, Fiat Doblo and VW Caddy as the closest but again affordable >£10K is a problem.
My wife is eligible for the Motorbility Scheme but even that does not seem to meet the requirements. Please advise.
Thanks
Dan
Replies
Also I am sure other members will be able yo help with the type of car they use as well
Hope you find something suitable
Sorry to hear about the arson of your previous car. That's a real shame. Have you spoken to someone at your local Motability dealership? Here's a link to the Motability site to find your nearest one.
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Motability goes for a car, but isn't necessarily good value. There are second hand vehicles and second hand hoists. Your wife has made a decision lots of people need to make. Hers, now, will be complicated by the prospect of having the next vehicle attacked. What is the matter with people? A disabled person's car is their legs. Why would anyone want to do such a thing? Is there a way you can keep camera surveillance on the new car (plus hoist), visible enough to deter any repeat? Will the police crime prevention give advice?
Once, someone I knew bought a decommissioned black cab, because he could drive his chair into it. He could get passers by to click the ramp into place and take it off. On good days he was still able to cling to the bodywork and a crutch, and get into the cab to drive himself, but otherwise his wife drove. (They did have difficulty finding the correct insurer though, because cabs are not on the Fish drop down, but cab insurers won't insure non-cabbies!)
Best wishes.
DLTBGYD
Best wishes.
DLTBGYD