Recommendation....

RacerCub68 · 09-20-2007

My Mom desperately misses her '95 Miata. However, with her back (4 crushed disks now) she could never hope to drive one again. Especially a stick.

Have you ever driven a Miata with an automatic? You might as well go home. Nothing has ever come quite as close to feeling like my 1983 Chevette as that!

I've seen some affordable R170's out there, and especially in her favorite color, yellow, and the beautiful blue. I'm thinking an automatic one would be a good toy to get for her, as I could save some money from buying a new one to put towards replacing her van with one that has an automatic wheelchair ramp.

She can get out of her chair for short periods and use her cain. What would you guys recommend I look for in terms of year / model to get the most compliant suspension with good engine output? She's a speed demon, and makes me look slow and tame. However, her back doesn't suffer the bumps well (Crossfire is definately out!)

Also, what mileage should I be concerned about being over? Remember she is handicapped. Any other things to look for?

I would feel much better with her in an R170 then any Miata. It's my mother we're talking about here! They have tele-aid, right?

I figure she can have her sports car thrills, be safer, not feel bad about not being able to shift herself anymore, get lots of luxury and save me some green for that new van for her.

Best of all, it will be mine to drive when I'm visiting them in Texas. ;-)

Addicted2Speed · 09-20-2007

WOW man, your mom is hardcore! She has back problems and is still considering a sports car?! I don't think this is a good idea though... get her a Lexus SC430 convertible. Its extremely comfortable, reliable, safe, and has great service from Lexus.

P.S. Mine wouldn't drive anything except a huge SUV

mtiede · 09-20-2007

Racer,

Just yesterday I saw something you might be interested in. A person with a motorized wheelchair thingee was putting it back in the van. They had a kind of swivelling hoist that was able to twist out and load the chair into the back of a regular van. Looked like it worked cool.

Unfortunately, I don't know a brand name or anything, but you might search for "hoists" or something for vans.

cyberdrakon · 09-20-2007

Really, the best thing for wheelchair users is a Braun Entervan. You can drive/wheel your wheelchair right up the ramp (which is powered) and you can order it with the autolocking which will clamp the wheelchair to the floor! The entire van lowers to the floor when you drop the ramp as well, so the height is reduced even more and makes it easy to enter.

http://www.braunmobility.com/interna.../entervan.html

We have a 2006 model one...absolutely great, but make sure there are no clinks, squeels, or rattles when you pick it up, as they will REALLY get to you later on.

Mtiede, braun also makes that hoist.

Baron7700 · 09-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberdrakon

Really, the best thing for wheelchair users is a Braun Entervan. You can drive/wheel your wheelchair right up the ramp (which is powered) and you can order it with the autolocking which will clamp the wheelchair to the floor! The entire van lowers to the floor when you drop the ramp as well, so the height is reduced even more and makes it easy to enter.

http://www.braunmobility.com/interna.../entervan.html

We have a 2006 model one...absolutely great, but make sure there are no clinks, squeels, or rattles when you pick it up, as they will REALLY get to you later on.

My family has good friends that have this van, its actually in our driveway right now as we are borrowing it as my fathers truck gets serviced, he blew out a differential in his four wheel drive and the wheel locked up! yay! He has had it since new, and its a 2000, so no warranty, and why pay for a rental ?

ANYWAY, ya the creeks and rattles in this car want me to jump out.

Hmmm maybe a CLK would be a better fit, as you can get a more comfortable ride.

RacerCub68 · 09-21-2007

I was asking about an R170 not a handicapped van. I already have a line on one made from a Toyota Sienna that you hold a fob by the tailight and it leans the van down and brings everything out. She can then drive her chair right up to the steering wheel and go.

She has a rear holder for her chair on her Kia Sedona, but the brakes can barely handle the extra weight.

I am curious about a fun car for her to drive once in a while.

She doesn't like the Lexus SC. She is a former NASCAR Powder Puff League racer ('64 GTO).

Baron7700 · 09-21-2007

CLK cabrio? If she or you is real determined on the convertible idea.

RacerCub68 · 09-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron7700

CLK cabrio? If she or you is real determined on the convertible idea.

Can't have a fabric roof. Dad pissed someone off and they sliced the Miata's top.

If I thought she wanted something big and soft top, there's a nice white '64 Cadillac convertible available. The CLK just can't hold up to that much class.

**etyu** · 09-21-2007

How about SLK 32 AMG?

cyberdrakon · 09-21-2007

Guys, Racercub has already set his sights on an R170 SLK, probably a 320.

At this point, it's probably best to check over at benzworld.org/forums...they have a much more active R170 forum.

09-20-2007	#1 (permalink)
RacerCub68 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Beach (Miami Beach, FL) Vehicle: 2006 SLK350 - All Opts. Except AMG Package & Auto. Clean looking 6-speed. Posts: 710 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Recommendation.... My Mom desperately misses her '95 Miata. However, with her back (4 crushed disks now) she could never hope to drive one again. Especially a stick. Have you ever driven a Miata with an automatic? You might as well go home. Nothing has ever come quite as close to feeling like my 1983 Chevette as that! I've seen some affordable R170's out there, and especially in her favorite color, yellow, and the beautiful blue. I'm thinking an automatic one would be a good toy to get for her, as I could save some money from buying a new one to put towards replacing her van with one that has an automatic wheelchair ramp. She can get out of her chair for short periods and use her cain. What would you guys recommend I look for in terms of year / model to get the most compliant suspension with good engine output? She's a speed demon, and makes me look slow and tame. However, her back doesn't suffer the bumps well (Crossfire is definately out!) Also, what mileage should I be concerned about being over? Remember she is handicapped. Any other things to look for? I would feel much better with her in an R170 then any Miata. It's my mother we're talking about here! They have tele-aid, right? I figure she can have her sports car thrills, be safer, not feel bad about not being able to shift herself anymore, get lots of luxury and save me some green for that new van for her. Best of all, it will be mine to drive when I'm visiting them in Texas. ;-)

09-21-2007	#9 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,280 Country: Thanks: 377 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	How about SLK 32 AMG? __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

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09-20-2007	#2 (permalink)
Addicted2Speed Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 225 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 5 Posts	WOW man, your mom is hardcore! She has back problems and is still considering a sports car?! I don't think this is a good idea though... get her a Lexus SC430 convertible. Its extremely comfortable, reliable, safe, and has great service from Lexus. P.S. Mine wouldn't drive anything except a huge SUV

09-20-2007	#3 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,645 Thanks: 101 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	Racer, Just yesterday I saw something you might be interested in. A person with a motorized wheelchair thingee was putting it back in the van. They had a kind of swivelling hoist that was able to twist out and load the chair into the back of a regular van. Looked like it worked cool. Unfortunately, I don't know a brand name or anything, but you might search for "hoists" or something for vans.

09-20-2007	#4 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,400 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Really, the best thing for wheelchair users is a Braun Entervan. You can drive/wheel your wheelchair right up the ramp (which is powered) and you can order it with the autolocking which will clamp the wheelchair to the floor! The entire van lowers to the floor when you drop the ramp as well, so the height is reduced even more and makes it easy to enter. http://www.braunmobility.com/interna.../entervan.html We have a 2006 model one...absolutely great, but make sure there are no clinks, squeels, or rattles when you pick it up, as they will REALLY get to you later on. Mtiede, braun also makes that hoist.

09-21-2007	#6 (permalink)
RacerCub68 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Beach (Miami Beach, FL) Vehicle: 2006 SLK350 - All Opts. Except AMG Package & Auto. Clean looking 6-speed. Posts: 710 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I was asking about an R170 not a handicapped van. I already have a line on one made from a Toyota Sienna that you hold a fob by the tailight and it leans the van down and brings everything out. She can then drive her chair right up to the steering wheel and go. She has a rear holder for her chair on her Kia Sedona, but the brakes can barely handle the extra weight. I am curious about a fun car for her to drive once in a while. She doesn't like the Lexus SC. She is a former NASCAR Powder Puff League racer ('64 GTO).

09-21-2007	#7 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	CLK cabrio? If she or you is real determined on the convertible idea.

09-21-2007	#10 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,400 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Guys, Racercub has already set his sights on an R170 SLK, probably a 320. At this point, it's probably best to check over at benzworld.org/forums...they have a much more active R170 forum.

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