Discussion
Dear all
Currently we have a 120d Sport and due to swmbo suffering with back trouble we are having to consider something not so low down as she struugles to get in and out of it.Budget is 6 or 7k and I have been considering things like Range rovers, Discovery, Freelander 1.Not so sure about the Freelander as heard they are problematic.Any other ideas ?
Many thanks.
Currently we have a 120d Sport and due to swmbo suffering with back trouble we are having to consider something not so low down as she struugles to get in and out of it.Budget is 6 or 7k and I have been considering things like Range rovers, Discovery, Freelander 1.Not so sure about the Freelander as heard they are problematic.Any other ideas ?
Many thanks.
No problems with our freelander 2, it's been superb and utterly faultless. Infact, I've heard of far more problems with RR's and D3s.
Not too high to get into, a nice middle ground I'd say and for the more vertically challenged the sidesteps protrude the body enough to actually be useful. I found the standard tyres make the ride a little bit more harsh than it should be though. Recently binned them for a set of General Grabbers and it's transformed it.
Discovery I've had a facelifted 1 and a series II, both superb. 3's are great but I've not lived with one.
Have you considered one of the half-way cars, Audi Allroad for example?
XC90 is worth considering, very comfortable, as is the Jeep SRT8 if you fancy something with a bit of poke and a bit out of the box. Don't believe all you read about them on here, they're very good.
Or just go nuts and buy a hummer
Not too high to get into, a nice middle ground I'd say and for the more vertically challenged the sidesteps protrude the body enough to actually be useful. I found the standard tyres make the ride a little bit more harsh than it should be though. Recently binned them for a set of General Grabbers and it's transformed it.
Discovery I've had a facelifted 1 and a series II, both superb. 3's are great but I've not lived with one.
Have you considered one of the half-way cars, Audi Allroad for example?
XC90 is worth considering, very comfortable, as is the Jeep SRT8 if you fancy something with a bit of poke and a bit out of the box. Don't believe all you read about them on here, they're very good.
Or just go nuts and buy a hummer
Stu R said:
No problems with our freelander 2, it's been superb and utterly faultless. Infact, I've heard of far more problems with RR's and D3s.
Not too high to get into, a nice middle ground I'd say and for the more vertically challenged the sidesteps protrude the body enough to actually be useful. I found the standard tyres make the ride a little bit more harsh than it should be though. Recently binned them for a set of General Grabbers and it's transformed it.
Discovery I've had a facelifted 1 and a series II, both superb. 3's are great but I've not lived with one.
Have you considered one of the half-way cars, Audi Allroad for example?
XC90 is worth considering, very comfortable, as is the Jeep SRT8 if you fancy something with a bit of poke and a bit out of the box. Don't believe all you read about them on here, they're very good.
Or just go nuts and buy a hummer
CheersNot too high to get into, a nice middle ground I'd say and for the more vertically challenged the sidesteps protrude the body enough to actually be useful. I found the standard tyres make the ride a little bit more harsh than it should be though. Recently binned them for a set of General Grabbers and it's transformed it.
Discovery I've had a facelifted 1 and a series II, both superb. 3's are great but I've not lived with one.
Have you considered one of the half-way cars, Audi Allroad for example?
XC90 is worth considering, very comfortable, as is the Jeep SRT8 if you fancy something with a bit of poke and a bit out of the box. Don't believe all you read about them on here, they're very good.
Or just go nuts and buy a hummer
I have ridden as a passenger in a disco and was unimpressed with the wibbly wobbly ride though to be fair I guess its to be expected.I have thought about the Audi Allroad and I personally like them but they dont look so tall.We would have to try on one I suppose.She seems stuck on the freelander 1 although I keep pointing at X Trails, RAV4 and CRV`s.
5lab said:
if it just needs to be a little taller, how about a smax, qashcai, or a subaru? Not sure how close they are to your price range..
Good suggestions but I doubt the smax or the qashcai fall within budget.The Forrester definitely is but she turned up her nose at it 
It is her car mind.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Get her a car with decent seats. Anything from Saab, BMW or other serious players will cover the ground. You don't need to buy some hulking great 4x4 just to get a proper seat...
It would probably help if you read the first post. It's a BMW they're moving on from now. It's not the 'proper seat' that's the problem, it's the seat being too low down.
matty_doh said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
Get her a car with decent seats. Anything from Saab, BMW or other serious players will cover the ground. You don't need to buy some hulking great 4x4 just to get a proper seat...
It would probably help if you read the first post. It's a BMW they're moving on from now. It's not the 'proper seat' that's the problem, it's the seat being too low down.
X Trails & RAV4 and she hasnt completely discounted them but she seems fixated on the Freelander 1.I believe the later diesel powered cars are less troublesome ?
I know 2 people that have owned Freelander 1's, one guy ran it for 5 years until he replaced with a FL2, it was a 1.8 petrol and he had no issues at all beyond consumbales despite using it to tow a boat regulalrly and it being a main family car doing 15k a year. The other family I know had an 06 plate TD4 and over 2 years it had one fault with a turbo pipe.
So it would seems the internet makes them out to be much worse than real life, though my experience of them the Rav4 or CRV would be more comfortable machines if she doesn't need to go off roading.
So it would seems the internet makes them out to be much worse than real life, though my experience of them the Rav4 or CRV would be more comfortable machines if she doesn't need to go off roading.
Wouldn't a lot of the cars discussed here require the OP's wife to step up to get into them? I've got a bad back myself, and whilst I'm very flexible for climbing into cars (I drive an Elise and Z4 and race a single seater), I can tell that if my back was worse it would be harder for me to get up into a car that it would be to get down. The old couple opposite me have a Rav4 because of the lady's back problems, and that seems to be the perfect height to just step into.
My wife has back trouble & we moved to MPVs & 4x4s years ago for this reason. Have gone through the following: Spacewagon, Sharan, Scenic & X-Trail. All really helped with the back problems. Currently on the X-Trail Diesel - It's fine, but, like all MPVs & 4x4s, it's not my cup of tea. I will however say that my wife really likes it - high up, economical & good driving position.
There's actually a third valid reason for buying an offroader... I didn't expect that.
I'd recommend any of the current Land Rover crop (perhaps barring the Defender if we're talking regular use). The only soft roader I've driven is the X-Trail and that gets a thumbs up too.
If it's purely the upright seating position it may be worth looking into MPVs too. The Galaxy and S-Max really are very good to drive (for what they are) and can be specced with all the toys you really need, but they obviously don't compete with the oppulence of a Range Rover.
The Forrester is probably worth a look too.
I'd recommend any of the current Land Rover crop (perhaps barring the Defender if we're talking regular use). The only soft roader I've driven is the X-Trail and that gets a thumbs up too.
If it's purely the upright seating position it may be worth looking into MPVs too. The Galaxy and S-Max really are very good to drive (for what they are) and can be specced with all the toys you really need, but they obviously don't compete with the oppulence of a Range Rover.
The Forrester is probably worth a look too.
It depends on one's specific back problem, but the seating position in a sports car like a Caterham is actually much better for your back than the seating position in an off roader. Of course, it's better to own an off roader for getting in and out if you have a bad back, but they provide far from the best seating position for most people's backs (and I say that because everyone's back is different).
Once you're in a car, it's better for your back to be reclined to take the weight off the spine, with support under the thighs to prevent any pull on the pelvis. An upright steering wheel will prevent any tug on the arms as you steer, and pedals out in front of you rather than underneath you enables the legs to be relaxed and straight (and is compatible with the thigh support I mentioned just now).
I have a back problem that gives me a permanent pain in my back. So, rather than wait a few hours/days/weeks to find out if a seating position is best, I can feel it straight away as I adjust the seat. By far the best seating position for me is the one cited as best in this recent article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6187080.stm
And illustrated by how F1 drivers sit:
Yes, they sit like that for aerodynamic and engine intake reasons, but having driven a wide variety of vehicles (lorries, off roaders, cars, sports cars and off course single seaters), I can vouch for this seating position being by far the best for my back in terms of support.
Our spines are not evolved for use on land without the support of water, and certainly not bipedally and upright. Relaxing them with as much support as possible is the best thing for them.
Once you're in a car, it's better for your back to be reclined to take the weight off the spine, with support under the thighs to prevent any pull on the pelvis. An upright steering wheel will prevent any tug on the arms as you steer, and pedals out in front of you rather than underneath you enables the legs to be relaxed and straight (and is compatible with the thigh support I mentioned just now).
I have a back problem that gives me a permanent pain in my back. So, rather than wait a few hours/days/weeks to find out if a seating position is best, I can feel it straight away as I adjust the seat. By far the best seating position for me is the one cited as best in this recent article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6187080.stm
And illustrated by how F1 drivers sit:
Yes, they sit like that for aerodynamic and engine intake reasons, but having driven a wide variety of vehicles (lorries, off roaders, cars, sports cars and off course single seaters), I can vouch for this seating position being by far the best for my back in terms of support.
Our spines are not evolved for use on land without the support of water, and certainly not bipedally and upright. Relaxing them with as much support as possible is the best thing for them.
RobM77 said:
It depends on one's specific back problem, but the seating position in a sports car like a Caterham is actually much better for your back than the seating position in an off roader. Of course, it's better to own an off roader for getting in and out if you have a bad back, but they provide far from the best seating position for most people's backs (and I say that because everyone's back is different).
Once you're in a car, it's better for your back to be reclined to take the weight off the spine, with support under the thighs to prevent any pull on the pelvis. An upright steering wheel will prevent any tug on the arms as you steer, and pedals out in front of you rather than underneath you enables the legs to be relaxed and straight (and is compatible with the thigh support I mentioned just now).
I have a back problem that gives me a permanent pain in my back. So, rather than wait a few hours/days/weeks to find out if a seating position is best, I can feel it straight away as I adjust the seat. By far the best seating position for me is the one cited as best in this recent article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6187080.stm
And illustrated by how F1 drivers sit:
Yes, they sit like that for aerodynamic and engine intake reasons, but having driven a wide variety of vehicles (lorries, off roaders, cars, sports cars and off course single seaters), I can vouch for this seating position being by far the best for my back in terms of support.
Our spines are not evolved for use on land without the support of water, and certainly not bipedally and upright. Relaxing them with as much support as possible is the best thing for them.
Cracking argument for yes dear we actually need a Lotus Once you're in a car, it's better for your back to be reclined to take the weight off the spine, with support under the thighs to prevent any pull on the pelvis. An upright steering wheel will prevent any tug on the arms as you steer, and pedals out in front of you rather than underneath you enables the legs to be relaxed and straight (and is compatible with the thigh support I mentioned just now).
I have a back problem that gives me a permanent pain in my back. So, rather than wait a few hours/days/weeks to find out if a seating position is best, I can feel it straight away as I adjust the seat. By far the best seating position for me is the one cited as best in this recent article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6187080.stm
And illustrated by how F1 drivers sit:
Yes, they sit like that for aerodynamic and engine intake reasons, but having driven a wide variety of vehicles (lorries, off roaders, cars, sports cars and off course single seaters), I can vouch for this seating position being by far the best for my back in terms of support.
Our spines are not evolved for use on land without the support of water, and certainly not bipedally and upright. Relaxing them with as much support as possible is the best thing for them.
I was looking at this budget for my Brother in Law, as they wanted a 4x4 / soft roader.
I discounted the Freelander, as at £7k you are awfully close in price to the new Freelander, meaning that any original shape Freelanders at this price will probably depreciate quite heavily.
I was quite taken with the Subaru Forester, but was told it was too ugly!!
They didn't want anything particularly big or thirsty, so the only thing I could really come up with a Toyota RAV4. £7k will get you into a new shape with not too many miles & leather and a few toys.
I discounted the Freelander, as at £7k you are awfully close in price to the new Freelander, meaning that any original shape Freelanders at this price will probably depreciate quite heavily.
I was quite taken with the Subaru Forester, but was told it was too ugly!!
They didn't want anything particularly big or thirsty, so the only thing I could really come up with a Toyota RAV4. £7k will get you into a new shape with not too many miles & leather and a few toys.
RobM77 said:
Wouldn't a lot of the cars discussed here require the OP's wife to step up to get into them? I've got a bad back myself, and whilst I'm very flexible for climbing into cars (I drive an Elise and Z4 and race a single seater), I can tell that if my back was worse it would be harder for me to get up into a car that it would be to get down. The old couple opposite me have a Rav4 because of the lady's back problems, and that seems to be the perfect height to just step into.
The thing she likes Rob apart from the commanding position is the ability to step straight in and out of cars like the Freelander and the X trail.She is fairly tall though at about 5`8".macp said:
RobM77 said:
Long and perhaps unecessary post about driving positions
Cracking argument for yes dear we actually need a Lotus Funnily enough, I slipped a disc on Thursday (well, actually, it wasn't funny!), and I'm tentatively back driving today for the first time. Out of the choice this lunchtime of Yaris, Z4 Coupé and Elise I went for the Elise. Long gearing and a VVC engine means fewer gearchanges than the other two, but crucially the driving position is much better for my back than the sit up and beg of the Yaris. The BMW has a good driving position, but just requires too much gearchanging with its low ratio 6 speed box.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff