Car for an Oldie with arthritis

Buntyboo1

LightFlare said:

I would suggest visiting one of the many car supermarkets that are around and do some tyre kicking etc as they generally have a wide range of makes and models. See what tickles your fancy

 Not sure I would necessarily hand over any money prior to some hard research though 

Yes, absolutely the way to go. However my arthritis is so bad that getting around a big area and amount of cars will be difficult, even with a mobility scooter. But you’re quite right, thank you for replying

Buntyboo1

Frozen_up_north said:

Many ordinary cars have a high "lip" on the boot (if that is the correct terminology), which makes lifting heavy items in/out difficult. Some 4x4 cars have a flat loading area into the boot space, my old Jeep Cherokee was like that if my memory serves me correctly. My current Seat Leon is a pain the back when lifting heavy suitcases in/out of the boot.

It's not just the height of the seat, check how easy it is to load/unload the boot area.

Yes, you’re absolutely right. I hadn’t given that much thought until I started looking at mobility scooters and getting them in and out. I remember the rim of my Accord boot was really deep and very difficult. Thank you. I’m starting to lean towards 4x4s just for that other consideration 

Goudy

My dad had some mobility issues and a mobility scooter and bought a 2010 Citroen Berlingo eHDi Airdream. 
(Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo are the same car these days).

He had a little swing/crane thing fitted in the back to lift his scooter in and out easily but the boot floor is pretty low with no lip.

I inherited later and I must admit, it's seating arrangement was fantastic.
I did a few runs to Southern Italy for the Greek ferry in it while I had it and it's like sitting in your armchair at home and very easy to get in and out of.
With it being the diesel "Airdream" version it's mpg was fantastic. Fully loaded up and cracking on on the motorway would see it sip 60 mpg easily.

The only trouble with it was the automated manual gearbox. On the move it was no trouble but slow manoeuvring was a really pain as they don't creep.  

My other half has a Vitara and it's not too bad to get in and out off.
She does tend to sit a bit further forward than me, but once adjusted I can slip in and out easily.
There's plenty of adjustment in the seat, up down, forward and back plus the steering column does the same.

Bigphil1474

I have a crossover car - half way between a proper car and a 4x4. Seats feel a little higher and the boot is flat for getting things in and out. Mine happens to be a Peugeot 2008, but I've seen a few crossover type cars and they are pretty much a muchness. Having had my dad and FIL with a fold up scooter, it makes a massive difference having a flat no lip boot for putting them in and out.

Presumably you have your scooter already? If not, they aren't light even when taken apart, so make sure if/how high you can lift one before getting the car.

Buntyboo1

Goudy said:

My dad had some mobility issues and a mobility scooter and bought a 2010 Citroen Berlingo eHDi Airdream. 
(Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo are the same car these days).

He had a little swing/crane thing fitted in the back to lift his scooter in and out easily but the boot floor is pretty low with no lip.

I inherited later and I must admit, it's seating arrangement was fantastic.
I did a few runs to Southern Italy for the Greek ferry in it while I had it and it's like sitting in your armchair at home and very easy to get in and out of.
With it being the diesel "Airdream" version it's mpg was fantastic. Fully loaded up and cracking on on the motorway would see it sip 60 mpg easily.

The only trouble with it was the automated manual gearbox. On the move it was no trouble but slow manoeuvring was a really pain as they don't creep.  

My other half has a Vitara and it's not too bad to get in and out off.
She does tend to sit a bit further forward than me, but once adjusted I can slip in and out easily.
There's plenty of adjustment in the seat, up down, forward and back plus the steering column does the same.

Thanks Gordy that really interesting about both cars (I didn’t understand the automated manual gearbox bit, though, I have to admit!). And interesting about the Peugeot/Vauxhall bring the same car. I had a look and yes, I could see that. Really useful, thank you

Buntyboo1

Bigphil1474 said:

I have a crossover car - half way between a proper car and a 4x4. Seats feel a little higher and the boot is flat for getting things in and out. Mine happens to be a Peugeot 2008, but I've seen a few crossover type cars and they are pretty much a muchness. Having had my dad and FIL with a fold up scooter, it makes a massive difference having a flat no lip boot for putting them in and out.

Presumably you have your scooter already? If not, they aren't light even when taken apart, so make sure if/how high you can lift one before getting the car.

Bigphil1474 said:

I have a crossover car - half way between a proper car and a 4x4. Seats feel a little higher and the boot is flat for getting things in and out. Mine happens to be a Peugeot 2008, but I've seen a few crossover type cars and they are pretty much a muchness. Having had my dad and FIL with a fold up scooter, it makes a massive difference having a flat no lip boot for putting them in and out.

Presumably you have your scooter already? If not, they aren't light even when taken apart, so make sure if/how high you can lift one before getting the car.

Thank you for that really useful input. No, not yet got the scooter, I’m researching those too. Need that slightly before the car. And thanks for the advice re lip of the boot. I hadn’t thought much about that, but thinking of my old Accord, yes, I’d have trouble with a lip. To get it in and out of the boot I’m going to buy a self fold scooter and get two cheaper ramps to run the wheels up and down. I was thinking about a crossover (Nissan Cashqai) and did see that the boot is flat. Thanks, Bigphil, appreciate your help and advice

poppy12345

Buntyboo1 said:

jimbo6977 said:

I seem to remember the standard Honest John Saturday Telegraph answer to this question was a Suzuki Vitara. Auto trader has a ton of them in your price bracket. 

Thanks Jimbo. I’d been wondering about a Vitara, so will research those. Thanks for replying 

I have mobility issues and had a Vitara in 2016. It was lovely to drive, easy to get in and out of, with a decent boot too. 

I agree with others that you shouldn't buy before you try because what may look good and easy to get in and out of, may not be the case in reality. I've test drove some awful cars that were impossible to get out of and very uncomfortable. 

Buntyboo1

poppy12345 said:

Buntyboo1 said:

jimbo6977 said:

I seem to remember the standard Honest John Saturday Telegraph answer to this question was a Suzuki Vitara. Auto trader has a ton of them in your price bracket. 

Thanks Jimbo. I’d been wondering about a Vitara, so will research those. Thanks for replying 

I have mobility issues and had a Vitara in 2016. It was lovely to drive, easy to get in and out of, with a decent boot too. 

I agree with others that you shouldn't buy before you try because what may look good and easy to get in and out of, may not be the case in reality. I've test drove some awful cars that were impossible to get out of and very uncomfortable. 

Thanks, Poppy, I’m leaning towards the Vitara or Berlingo but will definitely be trying all cars before I buy as you’re quite right, one fit doesn’t suit all. 

Buntyboo1

Frozen_up_north said:

Many ordinary cars have a high "lip" on the boot (if that is the correct terminology), which makes lifting heavy items in/out difficult. Some 4x4 cars have a flat loading area into the boot space, my old Jeep Cherokee was like that if my memory serves me correctly. My current Seat Leon is a pain the back when lifting heavy suitcases in/out of the boot.

It's not just the height of the seat, check how easy it is to load/unload the boot area.

Yes, a really important point I hadn’t given so much thought to. Many thanks