What car - old man with mobility scooter
Discussion
Well, not really a mobility scooter but very similar; a 1 man golf buggy (which is suspiciously like a mobility scooter only pride says its not).
Staying with my Dad at the minute who is 86 but still active for his age. He still enjoys a weekly 9 holes of golf but has to use a 1 man golf buggy to get around the course these days. The course cannot store his buggy so I am witnessing him have to dismantle the thing and then put it in sections into the back of his VW Up. Having given him a hand, I can attest the sections of the buggy are bloody heavy, together with the 2 car batteries that it uses for power.
Ideally I would like to find him something that could replace the VW and he could load the buggy straight into the rear. Sort of thinking either with a low ramp or tail lift so perhaps a wheelchair accessible car? I have no idea what I am searching for so any pointers?
Staying with my Dad at the minute who is 86 but still active for his age. He still enjoys a weekly 9 holes of golf but has to use a 1 man golf buggy to get around the course these days. The course cannot store his buggy so I am witnessing him have to dismantle the thing and then put it in sections into the back of his VW Up. Having given him a hand, I can attest the sections of the buggy are bloody heavy, together with the 2 car batteries that it uses for power.
Ideally I would like to find him something that could replace the VW and he could load the buggy straight into the rear. Sort of thinking either with a low ramp or tail lift so perhaps a wheelchair accessible car? I have no idea what I am searching for so any pointers?
If his mobility is generally good for his age I wouldn’t personally go for any sort of wheelchair adapted vehicle. The reason I say this is that I have one and they cost a fortune, far more than a similar car!
How about a Ford transit connect and her some lightweight ramps?
I know a couple of owners and they’re pretty well equipped and drive well- providing he never has more than 1 passenger!
I don’t know how big a golf buggy actually is so I would check that there is room and head height in any purchase you make
How about a Ford transit connect and her some lightweight ramps?
I know a couple of owners and they’re pretty well equipped and drive well- providing he never has more than 1 passenger!
I don’t know how big a golf buggy actually is so I would check that there is room and head height in any purchase you make
MustangGT said:
Just get a small folding electric 'buggy' so it fits in the existing car.
I’ve, unfortunately, got a fair bit of experience in this are 
I can’t think of a folding scooter that would be suitable for use on grass (damp and not flat)and big enough to carry golf clubs. Even if there was, it’s a struggle to lift even the lightest into the back of a car unless you’ve got a hoist fitted- which further limits room!
MustangGT said:
Just get a small folding electric 'buggy' so it fits in the existing car.
This is small and comes apart in sections/foldable but the nature of any electric buggy is it is heavy in terms of the motor and the batteries that power it. Lifting it takes some strength. If it was foldable and one piece you'd have a hell of a weight to lift in one go. Couple that with the fact the cost to change the buggy would not be far off the cost to change the car.
stuartmmcfc said:
If his mobility is generally good for his age I wouldn’t personally go for any sort of wheelchair adapted vehicle. The reason I say this is that I have one and they cost a fortune, far more than a similar car!
How about a Ford transit connect and her some lightweight ramps?
I know a couple of owners and they’re pretty well equipped and drive well- providing he never has more than 1 passenger!
I don’t know how big a golf buggy actually is so I would check that there is room and head height in any purchase you make
Thanks for this. I had initially started looking at wheelchair adapted vehicles as seemed the obvious choice. Can you expand on why they cost more to run than their non-wheelchair siblings?How about a Ford transit connect and her some lightweight ramps?
I know a couple of owners and they’re pretty well equipped and drive well- providing he never has more than 1 passenger!
I don’t know how big a golf buggy actually is so I would check that there is room and head height in any purchase you make
Iwantafusca said:
Good shout ta. Nil road tax would be a plus too.Shnozz said:
Iwantafusca said:
Good shout ta. Nil road tax would be a plus too.I’m not 100% sure about the legality of it retaining nil road tax after its no longer registered for use by a non disabled user?
They aren’t any more to run - it’s the purchase cost!
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Tuesday 18th May 13:47
stuartmmcfc said:
Shnozz said:
Iwantafusca said:
Good shout ta. Nil road tax would be a plus too.I’m not 100% sure about the legality of it retaining nil road tax after its no longer registered for use by a non disabled user?
They aren’t any more to run - it’s the purchase cost!
Edited by stuartmmcfc on Tuesday 18th May 13:47
jeremyc said:
What about a small trailer he can drive the buggy onto and tow to the club with his existing car?
Don't fancy either him having to struggle hooking up a trailer nor do I fancy him driving towing anything to be honest. There isn't much attachment to the existing Up so don't think P/Xing it would be an issue plus the residuals have probably been ok by virtue of being a VW.Mammasaid said:
Berlingo is in the mix ta. He has decided he wants a petrol though now..(at least he is coming around to the idea). Shnozz said:
he has a blue badge if that matters.
On its own that’s normally not enoughhttps://www.disabledmotoring.org/motoring/road-tax...
Mammasaid said:
Nice, I've always thought that the French do utility better than most.
Looks maybe.Just got one of these.
Also have a Fiat Doblo and Caddy Maxi Life.
(I am a trustee of a Charity that runs Wheelchair cars for our local community)
Berlingo OK at 60 or 70, but betrays it's utility origins around town and at lower speeds. Just where probably most of its journeys will be.
Doblo 1.6 is the opposite - good around town but rather gruff at speed and with wind noise.
Caddy 1.6 is most car like in comfort but is the most sluggish and least economical of the three.
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