Car help/suggestions

ratster

Getting my disabled father in and out of my pick-up is getting difficult,so I'm thinking about a new to me car.I have pretty much narrowed it down to 3
choices.

1.Subaru Outback
2.Honda CR-V
3.Honda Element

They are all lower than my pick up and have room for a wheel chair and a dog,but I don't know a thing about any of them.Suggestions,tips,anything to look for on these models?
Thanks,
Rhett

BeefJerky

ratster wrote: »

Getting my disabled father in and out of my pick-up is getting difficult,so I'm thinking about a new to me car.I have pretty much narrowed it down to 3
choices.

1.Subaru Outback
2.Honda CR-V
3.Honda Element

They are all lower than my pick up and have room for a wheel chair and a dog,but I don't know a thing about any of them.Suggestions,tips,anything to look for on these models?
Thanks,
Rhett

I'll say this: I like my 08 CR-V. I actually find it to be just the right height for me (~5'9"). I don't really have to go up or down to get in, I just kind of slide in. That means, I can also just slide out and not have to go up or down then either.

Syndil

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those choices. All very reliable, well-built vehicles. The CR-V might still be a little too tall, depending on how disabled your father is. There's two CR-Vs in my family, and while they aren't pick-up truck tall, it's still a bit of a step up. Wouldn't ask my 5'2" grandma with osteoporosis to try to get into one. With her in mind I'd pick the Outback, which is the most car-like of the bunch. But she is an extreme case.

doctor r

Similar situation with my mother in law and her hip replacement. We ended up with a Pontiac Vibe which turned out to be a nice level. Higher than my normal sedan, but not up at the level of my wife's Murano. I believe the Vibe is actually a relabeled Toyota Matrix.

Serendipity

Yes it is. Joint venture between GM and Toyota if I understand correctly...

BeefJerky

Syndil wrote: »

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those choices. All very reliable, well-built vehicles. The CR-V might still be a little too tall, depending on how disabled your father is. There's two CR-Vs in my family, and while they aren't pick-up truck tall, it's still a bit of a step up. Wouldn't ask my 5'2" grandma with osteoporosis to try to get into one. With her in mind I'd pick the Outback, which is the most car-like of the bunch. But she is an extreme case.

Which year CR-V? I ask because the 2007+ model years are lower to the ground than prior years.

Syndil

My aunt has one of the older, boxier ones, probably around a 2000 or so, and one of my in-laws has a 2008. The '08 is probably a bit lower than the '00, but still not as low as a car. My grandma is 5'2" and shrinking because of osteo, and any sort of a step up would be near impossible for her. She couldn't get into either. In fact I'm not even sure she could make it into the Outback, but like I said she is an extreme case. Right now she rides around in a Cadillac SLS, which she can just sit down in.

dragon1952

My sister has a CV-4 and is looking to get something else as it is getting too hard for her to get in and out of it (she's had 2 knee replacements and a hip replacement), as well as my Mom who is 88 and has problems with her legs. So it may not be the best choice for someone who is disabled. They are both on the short side though so it may be different for men. It is one of the higher ranked used vehicles though. I think hers is an '05. (just 39,000 miles and near immaculate if anyone is interested )

BeefJerky

Syndil wrote: »

My aunt has one of the older, boxier ones, probably around a 2000 or so, and one of my in-laws has a 2008. The '08 is probably a bit lower than the '00, but still not as low as a car. My grandma is 5'2" and shrinking because of osteo, and any sort of a step up would be near impossible for her. She couldn't get into either. In fact I'm not even sure she could make it into the Outback, but like I said she is an extreme case. Right now she rides around in a Cadillac SLS, which she can just sit down in.

Yeah, that does sound like an extreme case. My grandmother is 87, and around 5'4", but very, very weak due to spinal cord compression. At any rate, it is near impossible to get her into my mother's Toyota 4Runner. So, if we all go out, we take her in my CR-V, as it is much easier for her to get in and out of it. The thing is, lower cars aren't really better in this case. It's easier getting her in, but more difficult to get her out since we have to help her up rather than just sliding her out.

dragon1952 wrote: »

My sister has a CV-4 and is looking to get something else as it is getting too hard for her to get in and out of it (she's had 2 knee replacements and a hip replacement), as well as my Mom who is 88 and has problems with her legs. So it may not be the best choice for someone who is disabled. They are both on the short side though so it may be different for men. It is one of the higher ranked used vehicles though. I think hers is an '05. (just 39,000 miles and near immaculate if anyone is interested )

Keep in mind that a lower car will be easier to get into, but may be more difficult to get out of. So, there may not necessarily be a better solution. And, in this case, even a newer model CR-V may be a better option. Just something to think about. :cheesygrin: