£7-10k, non-VX alternative to Insignia for tall driver

[mr21]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for my second car with a max budget of £10k. I'm 6'4" and currently drive an Astra which has been giving me leg and back pain since starting a long daily commute in traffic. I'm looking for a bigger car, preferably under 5 years old, decent performance/economy balance and affordable insurance for a 21 year old.

So far the only car I've found in my price range with a suitable seat is the Insignia SRI, as the seat cushion can be adequately angled and has the extending thigh support (like those on recent BMWs and Audis). I really don't want another VX but I can't find anything else with such a supportive seat.

Other cars I've test driven:
Mondeo: not enough thigh support, even on Titanium
Passat: didn't find it comfortable, and can't get the decent CR diesels in my budget
Accord: only the electric seat is adjustable enough, but EX is out of price range
Golf, Focus, etc: seat does not go back far enough
Skoda Superb: love this car, but not many decent examples in my budget
E90 3 series: good leg room, poor thigh support, potential insurance costs

With all these cars I find myself driving with my knees up and andthighs uunsupported

Please could you guys help me to find an alternative to another VX! Really want to get something sorted soon, but stuck in this dilemma at the moment.

Thanks for any help,
Matt

Edited by mr21 on Sunday 1st December 11:21

[Baryonyx]

I had an old D2 Audi A8, it was superbly comfortable. If good seats are your thing, this car is king. Even Volvo seats aren't as good! Utterly superb things. Had I broken the car instead of selling it, I'd have kept the seats to make office chairs.

[StuntmanMike]

Op having the seat base angled is not good, the front of the seat base should be the same height as the rear, also watch for pedals being offset as this is a major cause of back problems, I would book a massage with a sorts physio and take some advice on driving position etc.

[H100S]

Why over look the insignia? Spending hours flying up and down the motorways is why cars like this are made. Besides the insignia were given high praise for its seats. A quick google search will help.

Personal experience was that the Sri in particular has outstanding seats. Lemans to Doncaster in a day was completed without bum shuffling or stiffness in lower back or legs. In fact the outbound journey had up pitching tents once we arrived.

I'm not as tall as you although I am 6ft and find getting a comfortable position is quite easy.

Edited by H100S on Sunday 1st December 11:44

[mr21]

Thanks for the replies everyone

StuntmanMike said:

Op having the seat base angled is not good, the front of the seat base should be the same height as the rear, also watch for pedals being offset as this is a major cause of back problems, I would book a massage with a sorts physio and take some advice on driving position etc.

Why is it bad to have the seat base angled? In most cars I have to bend my knees up (hip flexion and external rotation); that's just the position they have to adopt with the available leg room. All I'm doing by having the seat base angled is to support them in that position?

H100S said:

Why over look the insignia? Spending hours flying up and down the motorways is why cars like this are made. Besides the insignia were given high praise for its seats. A quick google search will help.

May be entirely unfounded, but I have a few reservations about the reliability of the Insignia. By all accounts they're fine as a company / lease car for the first few years, but perhaps not something to hold on to long out of warranty? Would be looking for a 160ps 2.0 with around 50k on the clock; would I be opening myself up to any trouble with this?

Thanks again

Edited by mr21 on Sunday 1st December 13:20

[Sir Bagalot]

Bloke I knew friend of a friend was 6'7"

When he bought a car first job he had done was to extend the drivers seat runners, that way he wasn't so restricted in his choice. Cost was only 2-300.

[Martin30]

Have you considered the most recent Saab 9-5? Underneath, it is essentially an Insignia in a posh frock, so maybe the seats are just as good.

I have one, an Aero Turbo4, and I love it. All the 'sensible' benefits of the VX, with a little uniqueness to it also.

Martin