driving advice

[ian carson]

I have recently been advised to change from a manual to an automatic car. Have any of you any recommendations for a type of automatic car that works well for you being a driver with MND? I dont do a lot of mileage so am looking for an older car.

[Mary C]

Hi Ian, I can’t advise you but just to say as I was was eligible foe Personal independence payment I was able to get a motability car.Have you considered if you might meet the criteria for the same?I ordered a wheelchair accessible vehicle as well aware the MND would progress.Hope you get something suitable.
Best wishes
Mary.

[LindaB]

ian carson not sure of the best automatic however as Mary C days could you claim PIP & get a new car?
Good luck Ian👍

[PeterPan]

ian carson I think most cars are available in either manual or automatic forms now. So my recommendation would be to choose the right car to meet your lifestyle needs. Do you need a car for 2 people, or 6? How big does the boot need to be? etc... I've only driven automatic cars for the last 20 years (maybe because I was just lazy!). As MND progressed my capacious, automatic Skoda Kodiaq (chosen for lifestyle reasons) has been brilliant until last week when I discovered that my hands and arms are just too weak now to steer safely. (A very sad day for me after nearly 50 years of driving).

I hope you enjoy your new car for many years to come - I'd support Mary's idea of exploring the Motability scheme options if you are eligible. They supply adapted cars, wheelchair accessible vehicles etc in exchange for the mobility element of the PIP disability benefit.

[LindaB]

PeterPan sorry to hear that Peter...that's a big loss for you to manage.

[richard]

I had my ordinary car, which was an automatic, adapted with a push/pull accelerator/ brake and a steering knob on the wheel. It cost about £1000 (Cowal Mobilty) I drove that for about three years until I could no longer get in and out of it easily and then bought a drive from wheelchair VW Caddy which I now use.

Richard

[Mary C]

I no longer drive but we have a Ford freedom wheelchair access vehicle.
We chose this as when I can no longer transfer into the passenger seat in front of car I will travel seated in my wheelchair in the back...Tried to plan ahead.
Had vehicle a year now and still travelling in front passenger seat ..but good to know we are set up with a WAV that will meet future needs .
Good luck
Mary

[bampot67]

My wife and I both have automatic cars. I find my wife's Honda CRV easier to get into but harder to drive than my VW Golf. Reason is the Accelerator pedal and Brake pedal are at slightly different heights on the CRV which means more strain lifting my right foot from one to the other. I havent this issue on the Golf.

hope this helps.

Steve

[EvelynMW]

We have just down-sized our cars and now share one automatic car - changing gear was getting tricky. I chose the same car as i already had, just a newer model. An automatic does make things much easier; the next problem seem likely to be pressing the button to open or lock the car!

I think you need to look at the kind of car you want then test drive some - no-one can tell you which car to buy, depends on your abilities and taste.

[Shaun]

Hello Ian
cars are very much a personal choice , but look at the safety features such as automatic braking, adaptive cruise control (slows down if cars in front do), lane assist.
I have VW T-Roc, (golf on steroids) it almost drives itself, especially on motorways , just have to point it in the right direction, but not so nimble around town