Suggestions for a new 2 door car...

[BillSears]

I have a car accident last month. Someone traveling in the other direction turned left into me while I was going straight. After 3 weeks of looking at it they've found more damage and have decided to total my Chevy Cavalier. The good news is they're giving me $12,800 for it and I only paid $12,900 about 3 years ago. The bad news is I now need to go car shopping.

I've been thinking about either a Scion TC, a Honda Civic, a Toyota Solara or a Honda Accord. All will be the 2 door models because I need a 2 door car so I can slide my wheelchair into the back seat while I'm sitting in the drivers seat.

I'm trying to think of any 2 door models I may have overlooked so I can also check them out. I'm pretty sure the Cobolt or a Mustang won't work. I think the Sebring might work but I think it's going to be as expensive or more expensive thenthe Accord or Solara and I like them better. Am I missing any other cars I should check out?

Also do any of you have opinions on the Scion, Civic, Solara or Accord?

Thanks.

 

[KT27]

Personally I love the Solara but think it's a bit overpriced. What about a Pontiac Grand Prix GT 2 door?

 

[musclecar_72]

I'd go with the Accord or Civic. Perhaps a Ferrari 360-Modena if the pocketbook allows!

 

[LindaR]

I'm a FORMER car salesperson. There's alot of info that you haven't provided...but all the cars you listed are good cars! I steer away from american cars because the japanese ones (listed) have much better reps.

The Scion is a very sporty little car and a good value. The Solara would probably be last choice cause for some reason, does not get the rave reviews that other Toyotas get. Either Honda is a good choice, too.

Your best bet is to test drive the exact models you are interested in. For research, check out www.edmunds.com or consumer reports, or caranddriver.com, roadandtrack.com, motortrend.com.

 

[LindaR]

BTW, I hope you are ok!

 

[ashjohnson80]

I drove a honda civic for many years, it was a great car, and i'm sure an accord would be as well.

 

[Anthony1971]

I have an Accord EX 2 door V6
The car is not what you would expect from Honda.... it is much nicer
it has plenty of room other family members have the 4 door and they are close
they also have diffrent models with 4 and no leather i can tell you it is a HUGE difference.
but I need to sell mine soon as we are having a baby in the next few weeks and buy something with 4 doors we have an SUV we just bought but why have it if i can't drive it...maybe the 4 door V6
Good luck
Drive the differnt models trust me there is a huge difference and that big of a difference in price when you consider you may want some of the options in the higher models and Honda cahrges $$$$ for them

 

[ilovepcot]

The car in my siggie is a 2 door and I'll *gladly* sell her to you!

 

[kimszath]

We've adding a Civic to the stable later this year--they're wonderful, and this year's model is winning just about every award there is in its category. They hold resale value well, also. Mileage is great, too--don't even need to bother with the hybrid (which everyone says lately doesn't earn back what you pay extra to get it).

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I have a 2-door Accord Coupe LX, but it's an older model (from 1994). But I have a friend with a wheelchair, and the car is great since the chair could slide in easily to the back seat. I also could get my bike in the back seat (with one wheel off), since the doors are so wide on that car! I orginally bought the car since it was the only one on the lot that was the color I wanted (green!) as I wasn't looking specifically for a 2-door, but later I was thrilled I had a 2-door since I could get so many large things into my back seat! And the car has been very faithful and has over 200,000 miles on it now!

 

[skuttle]

My DH has a Solara. It's a great car. Lots of space. In the back seat, you really can't tell you're in a two-door except for the windows. DH's is a 2001. We haven't had any problems with it...other than me hydroplaning into an 18-wheeler and a tree falling on it.

 

[Kama89]

We have a 2002 Solara. It's been a wonderful little car! No complaints whatsoever. One of the main reasons we chose the Solara was the back seat space... very roomy compared to many two door models.

 

[BillSears]

I took off straight from work today and went car shopping. So far the Solara is in the lead for "best" car for me.

I tried the Solara first. The wheelchair slid right in with no problems. They have a nice silver one for about $21,000 sticker on the lot. The only problem I have with the Solara is it's beginning to look abit dated. The 2007s haven't come out yet. I'd love a 2007 but I'm not willing to rent a car for months waiting for it.

The Scion TC was just abit too small. I really like it but I had a hard time putting the wheelchair into the back seat. The price was around $17,500(no haggle) but the difficulty with the wheelchair is steering me away from it.

I tried a Sebring out. The door was too short so the space between the back seat and the car wall was too narrow for my wheelchair to fit through.

The new Civic looks great. It's 30/40 MPG, has a fantastic dashboard and they even had one on the lot with just the options and color I wanted for $17,900 sticker. But I really had a hard time getting the wheelchair into the back seat. I'd love this car but I can't justify the effort to get the chair in and out.

The Accord is a bigger car so you'd expect it to work better. But nope I couldn't even get the chair into the car. Again the distance between the seat and the back wall of the car was just too small. HugsForEeyore, that 1994 sounds great but I think the newer models have smaller doors.

I popped over to my Chevy dealer to try out the Cobolt. They almost work but the center console extends too far into the back seat and it blocks the wheelchair. They did have a nice looking Monte Carlo for $17,500(no haggle) on the lot. It's not a perfect car but the wheelchair fits very easily into the back seat.


My last stop tonight was at the Saturn dealership. The Ion Quad Coupe wasn't too bad. It looks ok, well it looks kinda Bleh. But the wheelchair does slide into the back seat. I still think the Solara is easier to get the chair in and out of though. But the Ion is about $19,000 for a nice sports package 2007.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll have to go shopping some more tomorrow.

 

[BillSears]

LindaR,

Thanks everyone is ok.

LindaR and everyone...
The problem for me isn't so much the reliablity, resale value or many of the other intangables. It's whether I can slide the wheelchair into the back seat. I really thought I'd be able to in the Solara, TC, Civic and Accords. But out of the 4 cars I really wanted the Solara is the only one the wheelchair really fit into.

I was surprised that only the Solara worked. Basically I need about 8-9 inches between the back of the upright drivers seat in it's most forward position and the back wall of the car. I also need some hieght there but most cars have that. I also need about 8 inches between the back seat and the center console.

So while I'd rather buy the Civic I'm leaning towards the Solara.

 

[sugarpie]

I don't know how roomy they are but I saw a 2 door Pontiac G6 the other day & I thought it was totally cute! If I could only drive a 2 door again. Good luck in the car search!!! It's a pain but driving away in a new car is awesome.

 

[BillSears]

I slept on it last night and made my decision. Since it is the best car that fits me and the wheelchair I've decided on the Solara. It's not perfect but it is the best I can find...

So hey I'm getting a new car!!!!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Sorry the Accord wouldn't work! My old Accord could fit my friend's chair, but the new Accords are smaller and "sportier" and not as practical, I assume! I just looked up on google for a photo of a Solara, and it looks like a very nice car! Enjoy your new set of wheels!!