Kaz.

and others. need ya help again. please.
looking for a friend who had a old mazda demio ( late 90,s ) wee square shape thing. she is retired,has a disability,( amputee) looking for another car as her carer wrote off her demio.She likes nissan march size,similar to demio,i also suggested toyota passo maybe as its about the right size for her
She has seen a toyota raum in a car sales yard ,but think it might be a bit big for her
she needs to fit in a wheelchair, has around 5 - 6000 to spend
the car doesnt need any adaptions for her with the driving
Any other suggestions ?
Thank you . alphard is well.

Bumping because i think you need Kaz

Fiat Grande Punto has a really nice big boot on it for a car that isn't too big. Exceptionally good buying in that price range. Also has dual mode electric steering, that means you can push a button and make it extra light, so if she is also missing an arm by chance that may be an advantage (am assuming leg given wheelchair). The other advantage is no button to push on the automatic gear selector, it uses a gate system which is much better all round in my opinion. Again if she is missing an arm/hand this makes for very quick mode changes with minimal time off the wheel and eyes staying on the road.

Nice and economical, cheap to service and reliable too.

I also know a folding wheelchair will fit in a Mk3 Fiat Panda so possibly also a MK2. They are smaller and square like her Demio but better on fuel and safer. Not sure if there are any on here at the moment but they can be picked up for about 5k in great condition. There were a couple on here a few weeks back so they do come up. I have one and it's AMAZING, I have driven all over the country in it, it has over a million gear changes on the clock and over 200'000km from being used as a delivery vehilce. Only just replaced the original clutch very recently!

It will be very hard to find a simpler or more reliable modern car than a Panda in that price range.

I would right away rule out the march and the Passo due to small boot space.-you will struggle to get the wheelchair in.
For her budget you will get a second generation Demio which WILL fit a wheelchair extremely well due to its lipless rear boot. The higher seat will suit her too.
I do agree that a 2004 or newer Toyota Raum would be fantastic for her getting into and out of it. the boot is big enough for a wheelchain -especially if the back seats fold forwards (some do some don't)
But by a COUNTRY MILE her best option is a Toyota Funcargo.
I simply can't recommend them enough. Outside dimensions aren't much bigger than the Demio but the useable space is HUGE.
If her condition deteriorates so she needs to go electric then the funcargo will still be able to be used.

Thank you for that,Yes i did think about a funcargo this afternoon, I shall keep a lookout for her, also suggested she might have to up her budget a little. thanks

Certainly a Funcargo or a Toyota Porte, these vehicles are very practical designs that lend themselves to this sort of thing, some are already specifically set up for disabled people, but these are not cheap.

nahh- Fresh import funcargo 04-05 would be in her budget.--Do go for the 1500cc version. --works out to be false economy going 1300