Whoops!
Has it been three days since my last blog entry? DOH!! It's turning out to be quite the week. I spent the weekend learning about wheelchair-accessible vehicles like the Scion xB Rampvan I've been driving, including a visit to my local Mobility Works dealership. Trying to get my head around all the factors one must consider when buying an accessible vehicle is like learning another language. It's fascinating -- and it also has me counting my blessings.
Jason Fogelson has a base-model Suzuki Verona which I took for a quick spin on Sunday. Philip test drove the 2004 model and liked it. As for me... well, the less said the better. Let's just say that the 2007 Toyota Camry doesn't have much to worry about.
Yesterday I finally got my first drive in an Infiniti FX45 -- a very impressive SUV. I was carting BJ down to Ford to pick up a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. She's driving it this week and will be reporting on it for Driver's Talk Radio, and I'll be driving it the following week for About.com Trucks.
Highlight of the weekend: Watching the original (1969) version of The Italian Job. Very entertaining, and it's rated G. It's easy to forget that you can leave out the cursing and the gore and still have a pretty entertaining action film. (Lots of wanton violence towards cars, but don't worry; I'm told the wrecked Aston Martin was a fake and the two Jags were later repaired and restored.)
So now it's time to take my kids to school then bury my nose in the laptop; I have plenty of new test drives to get live and a couple to write up, including the Audi Q7 and the 2007 Toyota Camry LE. I love this job, but every once in a while it starts to bear a frightening resemblance to work... -- Aaron Gold
Comments
Enjoy reading your articles particularly about handicapped accessible vehicles. My brother and myself are handicapped and in wheelchair. We go everywhere together, therefore we need vehicle to handle 2 wheelchair. Please do articles about vehicles capable of handling 2 or more wheelchair at a time. Also these vehicles are very expensive. Is there any help to obtain out there. We are on Social Security Disability, so it is difficult to raise 30 to 40 thousand needed to purchase. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Cool love the scion’s! Also use a wheelchair and wondered if they-XB’s could be converted. Would be nice to see more about accessible vehicles. Braun is “the big guy on the block.” The prices are very high, people used to pay that for a house. Long time back I wrote to you about making the push for more two door cars, this is exactly the reason. If auto makers UNDERSOOD 50 MILLION potential customers were wating and looking.
Would you look into some other cross over types like the HHR,PT cruiser,Dodge Caliber?
Thanks
I am in a standard folding Quickie wheelchair that I place on the back floor behind the front seat. I have a 95 Buick Riviera, a very large car. I have looked in vain for a new 2-door car. I have looked at every price range from $20,000 to $104,000 and have found nothing. The cars I found that were roomy enough had a console that reached to the back seat not allowing the chair in. I do not believe there is a car available that allows me to put my folding chair in myself. I am not a van-person, so they are not a factor. Please let me know if you know something that I am missing.