AMS Vans Testimonials: Real People, Real Help

I got my van in February of 2008 after tons of research to find the right deal. My old van was a 1995 Astro and it had had problems from the beginning. We didnt have the funds to replace it, so over the years we dropped tons of money into it to keep it running. The conversion on it was less than desirable with a raised roof and hydrolic lift. It did its job, dont get me wrong. But the unfold part of the lift went out a long time ago, as well as the handheld wired remote. So we had to manually unfold it, which it was very heavy. My mom would climb up into the van to use the internal switches to lower it. Get me in, then climb back out to fold it back up. Since there was nothing to hold it steady, we had to prop a pillow on the top of it to keep it from hitting the window when moving and break it. The conversion people did not put the sliding door track back far enough. From the day we got it, the lift would catch on the door which ended up tearing up the door. So much so, that several times the top part of the door actually popped off the track and would be hanging! For the past 5yrs. the AC has been out on it. I live in TX and the heat would be unbearable. So I was never able to go a very far distance in it during the summer. Over the last 3yrs it has not been reliable enough to go far anyway. It was on its 2nd engine. I was only able to go to a from work for the most part. Which luckily I work within a 5mi. radius.

So in the beginning of February the transmission started slipping and we knew we were on borrowed time. It didnt make any sense to drop a couple of thousand into it for a new transmission. So I started my journey...
Initially I called our local wheelchair van repair and sales place. They wanted $10,000-$12,000 more! I learned soon the reason why is they have to mark it up because they are not selling direct.

I found AMS online and saw their prices. My first thought is, "if its too good to be true, it probably is". It also made me nervous buying "online" per se, and not seeing it in person. So I emailed my concerns and questions. Jill Rowe was so kind and helped me so much to feel trust and encouragement. Originally we wanted a 2007, LOW MILES and one with auto doors, but we just couldnt get the payments low enough. Jill guided me and made me realize that I could go with an older model, but then be able to afford an extended warranty. So we ended up getting a Dodge Grand Caravan SE 2005 with 48,000 miles on it. I was a tad concerned with the miles. But it was all I could do within my budget. We were able to purchase a 100,000 mile warranty, not to mention the conversion is a 7/7 warranty. Once all the financing was finalized, we had it delivered within 3 days. We opted for the haul option because we didnt want any more miles on it.

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with our desicion and with Jill guiding me in the right direction! It may be an '05 with 48,000 miles, but you would NEVER KNOW IT! It drives, rides, and looks (exterior AND interior) BRAND NEW. If you didnt know, you would think it had never been touched or driven by anyone else!
I can go anywhere I want to go now!! I can actually see out of it!! I dont have to be suspended up in the air by a hydrolic lift because I can just drive up and down the ramp!! I have AC!! I actually fasten down now when going a good distance because the Q-straints are so easy to use! I have been going everywhere now! It is also safer for my service dog because she gets excited when we go places.

In the old van there was not room for her and I on the lift at the same time. So when getting out in public places. I would have to be let out first and try to encourage her to stay in the van until Mom was ready to catch her when she jumped down so she could be hooked up to my chair. Sometimes, when she would be overly excited she would jump down and Mom wouldn't catch her in time. We were always worried she may dart out and get hit by a car.

Now, I park in front of the folded ramp. My mom can reach over and hook her up before the ramp is even deployed. Then I just drive right down and Nellie (my dog) walks down it right behind me.
Again, I cannot tell you what a life change this has been for me. I thank God for leading me to the right place and for providing good and HONEST people to sell to people like myself. I will recommend AMS Vans to anyone I come across that may need reliable transportation!!

Sincerely, Misty O'Neal and Family (Also Nellie says Thank You!)

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Misty O'Neal