



Over the years, the types of cars converted has drastically increased which has broadened the choice available to the consumer. First there were the large passenger vans, then the minivans came onto the market. Now there are accessible cars that range from as small as the Kia Soul to as large as a Ford truck. There is even an SUV that is now on the market that is specifically designed as an accessible vehicle (no conversion needed): the MV-1. This new array of accessible cars has made it possible for the consumer to not have to sacrifice as much as their choice for accessibility.





As the types of accessible vehicles have increased, the ability to afford an accessible vehicle has increased as well; cars that cost less than a minivan before the conversion typically still cost less after the conversion. There is also the factor that more fuel efficient cars are also being made accessible which translates into a lower gas expense. However, this does not mean that there is a "cheap" accessible car; this is quite the contrary.



Vans are no longer the only type of accessible vehicles that cost twice as much as the regular counterpart. A new 2016 Kia Soul costs about $18,000.00, while the new 2016 accessible Kia Soul is $30,000.00. Yes, this is way less than a Honda Odyssey or even a Dodge Grand Caravan, not to mention the gas mileage, but there are the drawbacks of minimal seating and the fact that the consumer still has to spend almost twice as much for the same exact car.



The MV-1 is a little more expensive than the Kia Soul and as of now there are not any used MV-1s (it has not been on the market long enough for there to be any used cars). This SUV, has been designed as an accessible vehicle; it does not have a regular counterpart. The MV-1 costs about $31,000.00. This is also way cheaper than a minivan (with a similar number of seats and gas mileage). The MV-1 also has the perk of not being a converted vehicle; this means that the integrity of the vehicle is not diminished due to cutting the frame. When it comes to accessible vehicles, the MV-1 is relatively well priced, but to the average American household, $31,000.00 is still a pretty steep price for a car.



When purchasing an accessible vehicle, used is an option. However, why should the average consumer be forced to buy used when they could theoretically afford a new car? The consumer is forced to buy used simply because they cannot physically access a new -- but cheaper -- typical car. This means that when a person who is simply seeking mobility cannot afford a new converted car, they are stuck buying a used one (for typically the same price as a new non-converted car).



The ridiculous pricing of accessible vehicles does not end with the price itself, but continues with the financing. There are car loans, and then there are accessible loans; the loans that the bank gives out when they do not understand the cost of the car that the loan is for. Back in 2006 when my family purchased a used 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, the cost totaled $20,000.00 more than the van itself was actually worth. To the bank, this did not compute. Instead of receiving a car loan with the typical interest of about four to five percent (at that time), we received a loan with the interest of 10.99 percent. Our other choice, in purchasing the used van, was to take a second mortgage on our house, and I know multiple families who have done this. If we were to have purchased a luxury item -- such as a camper, boat or plane -- we could have received an interest rate of just one percent. But, a $36,000.00 used minivan is not considered a luxury item (nor should it be).



Accessibility should not be treated as a luxury (and in this case, it is not even considered that), but a necessity. A necessity should not cost extra, and definitely should not cost as much as a Porsche. Modified vehicles need to be more affordable so they can be purchased by more who would like to do so. People who need an accessible vehicle, need it to get from point A to point B, that is it. An accessible vehicle is not for pleasure, it is not for status, it is simply for equal access and mobility.

The average accessible car tends to be $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 more than their non-accessible counterpart. On average, a new 2016 Honda Odyssey is going for $30,000.00, where an accessible 2016 Honda Odyssey is going for $66,000.00. This is almost the equivalent cost of a new Jaguar or Porsche! A new 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan rings up at about $26,000.00, while the modified version costs $45,000.00. This is about the same price as a new Audi.