Thank you so much to everyone for their input about which car to look
at. We now have to go back and measure the way the door opens on just
about every car. I don't really know for sure that I can get him in my
other car, the 93 Buick Regal. If I can, it will be barely.
The trust is now saying I can't get a used car. I think it has to do
with not wanting to bother with me very often - they want me to get
something that will last a few years and a used car is a risk to them.
The Lincoln Towncar - I probably won't get one - but it's a great
idea. Just after reading Gunny's post I drove past a grocery lot and
the handicapped spot had one parked there.
About Tarzan swinging into a car - yeah, Bill kind of does that now.
In my 85 Olds Ciera he pulls all the way up so that he is side-by-side
with the seat but he still kind of holds the roof and door and swings
over or slides. It would be more of a Tarzan swing with the Buick Regal
I already have, but we can try that!!!~~!!!! Thanks~!
The Honda Accord - I wonder if the 99 would open wide. I will try
one if I can get the chance! I'm not even 100% positive the bank is
going to even do this. If they change back to "used" then I might go
with the used Buick LaSabre. (98)
Deborah, I went into that site on the car prices. It was really
helpful. I had gotten another auto site that has reviews and also
recall information - it was through "Webcrawler." Thank you!
I called a guy today - trying to save myself time on going back and
measuring all these cars. He measured the Maxima for me, which I
probably can't afford, and said it was 44"....I don't think he
understood how to measure it, at least the way I'm doing it. He must
have measured from the center of the inside of the car instead of the
door opening.
Larry (my husband who used to work at Saturn of Louisville) said they
have sites on just everything else - prices, weight of car, colors,
picture of steering wheel, etc. They should have a site out there
someplace which would tell which of the smaller cars open widest for
wheelchairs. What about little old ladies who ride home from church
with someone? Quite a few of these newer cars just don't open wide
enough for a wheelchair to pull up.
Oh, and as far as Bill going with us, great idea, but he has been
real real bad. The ambulance came Tuesday. He's been sick with that
blockage (colon) - like okay, constipation maybe, very serious, or some
type of ulcer - something about his food goes to the stomach and then
has trouble going on down. He is in terrible pain and none of us can get
him to go to the hospital or Doctor which would be the VA Hospital.
May 26 he has a Doctor's appointment anyway for re-check on the
Prostate Cancer so maybe I can get him to try one car or another that
day, and maybe drive past a few lots if he feels up to it.
Or, if he even will go to it. He could press his Lifeline button at any
minute. They should have taken him to the hospital when he fell, or he
should have asked them to take him. Whenever he falls like that - it
usually means he's in a relapse of one type or another. But I couldn't
convince the medical people. He (bill) said he was going to be fine, so
they took off quick.
Thank you so much, guys, for your input. I appreciate all your ideas
and your time in writing to me.
Barbara D. in Louisville waiting for the button to push