How to choose a car when you can't test drive it?

Amy.B_3

What dealer are you going with?

bigjl

If I had mobility problems than I would chose a vehicle based around ease of access and comfort.

You can assess the driving position without driving.

Have a look at the local Car Supermarket for the three year old Automatics that have come off Motability Leases.

They are very often all of similar specification and likely ease of use was high on the users list of priorities.


Something like the current Meriva could be a good choice as it has very good access and the seats are quite high so no stooping to get in or dragging yourself out.

I would probably go for some form of small MPV.

Scenic, C Max or Zafira. The Berlingo or Kangoo are also a decent bet though their van origins may not be to your liking.

Spirit_2

So far have looked at Toyota's. Quite a good driving position and light doors to open and close in Yaris and Auris, but a notched gear stick which I found difficult to move. They have another Auris model with a different gear stick which I am going back to see tomorrow. I had never come across before as I thought they all moved straightback and forward. I also found some 'new features' I cannot use, touch screen is useless to me at this time. I will be low mileage so making breakeven on spending a premium to get a hybrid is unlikely to be good value.So somethings learnt already.

May also add electronic handbrake into requirement as I could manage the handbrake but it was a bit hard and I was slow putting it on.

OH now looking up interior photo's of brands/models of cars to see what the gearstick looks like.

Mercedes have automatic gears controlled by a right hand stalk.
ford fiesta has straight movement
Audi A3 has straight movement and electronic handbreak.


No set budget but price range looking increasingly elastic!

I am going to look at a variety and learn what I can about my "fit" in each car then arrange for OH and dd to test drive a short list.

BeenThroughItAll

Amy.B wrote: »

Yeah sounds like you're after a specifics that's going to work best for you, personally i think it would be better talking to someone who's in the industry and knows of this really.

One of our guys might be able help, fire us over your details and we'll probably be able to help you out [LINK REMOVED]

It'll probably be Chris that'll help, but he's got a pretty good idea of this stuff and so he'll point you in the right direction

Oh dear, it was all going so well and then the advertising started. Do MSE know?

buglawton

Can you rent one to try it?
Once I rented a Citroen C1 (Aygo/Pug 107) in France, was so pleased with the drive and comfort that later bought one in the UK.
On the other hand I once rented an expensive VW Diesel Golf and was underwhelmed after all the advertising hype about 'premium' VWs.

knightstyle

Good luck with your search and take your time. My wife is disabled and needs time to choose a car. Ask the dealers if you can have an extended test drive, 24 hours is good, we got this from a Saab dealer. We also got an afternoon with a Nissan Juke which we then bought, it is an ex demo model so we saved a bit, it is petrol with conventional auto. box with torque converter.
Just be careful also with buying a diesel, they are not suitable for lots of short journeys, so get a petrol.

heretohelp

Where are you getting the car modified? if its a company ask them what cars people drive with a similar disability to you.
Just had a idea if you are weak on your left hand side how about getting a left hand drive car then all the gear changes and hand brake will be controlled with your right hand.