driving a car

[Rosie]

Hiya

I have a Zafira that is automatic, and I love it. I find it is exactly the right height for me to get into and out of. The other things I like are it is large enough to take my electric wheelchair, has the 7 seat (or 6) option, and has arm rests. I went to the garage on Saturday to order a new Zafira on the motability scheme, and I chose the one I wanted, automatic, petrol, a hoist in the boot, easy release handbrake, handle above the driver's door etc.etc. I was just chosing the colour when I found out that the model I have chosen does not have arm rest. The next model up, that does have an arm rest, would cost me £1800 more downpayment! So now I have to start looking at other cars, unless I can find somewhere that will fit the arm rest for me as the garage says it is not available as an extra. I desperately need the armrest as otherwise my shoulders and upper arms get painful really quickly.



Rosie

[Retro]

Hi Rosie,

My ex had a Zafira for 3 years and loved it to bits but couldn't afford the downpayment when it came time to replace it so instead got a Ford C-MAX which has just been replaced with the new version. He got the Zetec which has arm rests and for me is much more comfy than the last one. It only has 5 seats and the next one up is the S-MAX which has 7. Why do you want petrol??? Modern diesels can beat petrols now for power and are much cheaper to run

Take care,

Lindsey

[paw]

you only seem to get about 10 - 20 minutes for test drive and i don't feel this is really long enough to decide on a car for the next 3 - 5 years

Could you rent the car for a few days and go out different times and do some driving in town and also on a motorway? I know that is an expense, but better than buying a car that hurts you.

[Anita]

Hi

Thanks for the replies!

Haven't tried the Passat, and the only car so far that has had the automatic parking brake was the grand picasso. Perhaps it is only on higher models.

Have been wondering about hiring one for a day or two to see how i go with it. will have to look into it.

Sorry to hear about the armrest problem hope you are able to sort it all out soon. Hows the car hunting going?

Anita

[sarahh]

Hi ya I think having an automatic does help as there is no changing gear. When I learnt to drive I only did automatic as I knew I didn't have the co ordination because of having dyspraxia and because a manual would pull my joints to pieces I just did automatic. I only drive 30 mins away anything more really hurts me.

Sarah x

[Hayley]

IDELETED DUE TO GILA WATCHING WHAT I SPEND MY MONEY ON

Hayley

[Rosie]

Hi

Hayley - that's the one I want to get, if only I could persuade them to fit an armrest for me! I need a hoist in the back, and they fit this into the pillar so it is out of the way. The £699 down payment is really good too.



Rosie

[Retro]

I chose petrol over diesel because I find diesel engines are just that little bit too noisy

have you heard a diesel recently??? They're soooo much quieter than they used to be (comparable to dumper trucks) and I'm still amazed by their performance. 3 years ago when my ex was looking at the CMAX initially I compared the 1.6 petrol with the 1.6 TD and the TD beat the petrol for performance not to mention it's almost double the mpg! They're even making diesel racing cars now

I Had a shot of Mum's 2lt turbo diesel Passat estate just before christmas, it was fab gave her a few wee frights when I put my foot down

Lindsey

[Eloise]

My peugout 206 is diesel and really really quiet and lovely to drive, and has all the accerlation I need - even up a hill.

It is so much more economical on fuel - I do about 400 miles between filling up. I would never go back to a petrol car.

[Blaadyblah]

I'm beginning to seriously think about what my next car will be, I'll be replacing my Focus when I can and have been thinking that I should really make the most of the time I have at the moment by driving other people's cars with this in mind. I'll definitely stay with an automatic as that has made such an enormous difference to the extent of the problems with my left wrist. Power steering is a given, I don't know how I ever managed without it (even if I did hate it before). Space for scooter/wheelchair is essential and it'd be kind of nice to still have plenty of room for luggage and people. I like the way mine drives, but I'd like to be a bit higher, I think. I do feel a little cramped somehow! Still, that's in the medium term...

Today's not been too bad, I had to do a drive of longer than usual distance and the return trip wasn't as awful as I'd feared. We got lost once but not for long and we had a nice day so on balance I came out on top. I could use new splints though - mine are comfy but not so effective as they could be. I'm really not sure what best to do there - the ones I have are brilliant bar being a touch on the large side, but alas they don't come any smaller. What driving splints/supports really support the wrist - I'm thinking that maybe I need different ones for different activities...

[Ruby]

Blaady - I'm learning to drive in a smart car. It's really high up, power steering and automatic. You could check out the smart for fours I believe they are quite spacious and cheap to run too and they just look different which is a good thing!

My OT advised me to drive with splints to stop my wrists sprainig or whatever it is I do to them, but it was really difficult. Maybe I just need to learn to drive first!

Ruby

[barkingmad]

Hi,
Someone has probably already asked this already..but do you have to report to insurance companies and dvla if you need to use wrist splints and ortho. elbow braces.? My orthotic guy said I couldn't drive with them on until I told the relevant people but nobody else has said that too me.
regards donna
barkingmad

[Blaadyblah]

I called the DVLA last year and was told that my condition did not meet the criteria, they run through a few quick questions is all. My insurance company were only interested if the DVLA were.

[barkingmad]

Thanks blaadyblah. I will try phoning them myself then, hopefully the same will apply.
regards donna

[Esky]

I have finally after what seems like age found an automatic in my price range! A large peugeot 406 LX estate

It comes with powersteering and electric front windows (bonus as i find the winders really hard with splints on!)

The auto box is soo much easier than my heavy manual!