Uncomfortable Cars
Discussion
Over the last 20 years I've had around 16 cars, always been okay with driving them around 15k a year, 30 mins to work and back.
Recently I changed jobs, with an hour commute each way, got married and now expecting our first, so had to get rid of the 4series coupe for something I could actually get the baby seat in.
Now I'm not particularly small, 6ft4 and 16st. So I went for a Stelvio, it fitted the bill and test drive was good. However 3 weeks later it went back, incredibly uncomfortable for any journey longer than 30mins.
The garage was extremely helpful and popped me in a Gulia with better seats, 20 min test drive all was okay and I got the car later that week. Now, a repeat of the issue but a heck of a lot worse, so much so I'm getting out the car after 45 mins to get rid of pins and needles.
Can anyone recommend a decent family car that is suitable for someone that's not your Joe Average build? Also, where's the best place to get a good price for this car, certainly in negative equity to the tune of £1k but that's better than changing jobs
Recently I changed jobs, with an hour commute each way, got married and now expecting our first, so had to get rid of the 4series coupe for something I could actually get the baby seat in.
Now I'm not particularly small, 6ft4 and 16st. So I went for a Stelvio, it fitted the bill and test drive was good. However 3 weeks later it went back, incredibly uncomfortable for any journey longer than 30mins.
The garage was extremely helpful and popped me in a Gulia with better seats, 20 min test drive all was okay and I got the car later that week. Now, a repeat of the issue but a heck of a lot worse, so much so I'm getting out the car after 45 mins to get rid of pins and needles.
Can anyone recommend a decent family car that is suitable for someone that's not your Joe Average build? Also, where's the best place to get a good price for this car, certainly in negative equity to the tune of £1k but that's better than changing jobs
Muddle238 said:
If you want comfort, but a V70. Space for all the kids stuff too.
I’d change that to the newer V90, much more premium feeling and just as comfortable.Mercedes E-Class in a lower trim but with the Premium Plus package - very comfortable.
As is the BMW 5 series on smaller (18) wheels - voted quietest car you can buy today (excluding super luxury stuff) , NVH levels very good, loads of space and really well built , very ergonomic and user friendly interior which is rare these days
Lexus RX450h is just ridiculous, it’s like driving a non itchy woollen jumper, our RX was pretty much the comfiest thing I had ever sat in.
Range Rover is pretty good, but air suspension is expensive
Other more unusual choices include the Skoda Superb, Lexus ES, and the DS9
Have you tried adjustments, likely you have your knees above your hips or similar causing the pressure on your back. Plenty of car seat ergonomics videos on YouTube that should help you with the setup. If you are tall longer seat rails qor steering column extender could be a cheap fix.
I feel like if you want to keep same car but make it more comfy if you go aftermarket seats and smaller wheels (if your problem is ride quality) you will make a world of difference, there's even places that add in extra noise cancellation too.
Don't always have to swap the whole car.
Don't always have to swap the whole car.
Edited by 457892345 on Friday 13th January 22:17
Pins & needles (legs, presumably) sounds more like a driving position / seat adjustment issue to me. I’ve found that Alfas are extremely comfortable - I could happily do 10 hours in my old Alfa GT and once did 16 hours in one hit in an Alfa 159
That said, I accept that people come in all shapes and sizes, so what is comfortable for me, may be unbearable for others.
That said, I accept that people come in all shapes and sizes, so what is comfortable for me, may be unbearable for others.
HJG said:
Uncomfortable cars.... mostly German stuff.
My Peugeot 205 is the comfiest car I've driven.
German stuff definitely. My Peugeot 205 is the comfiest car I've driven.
I'm not tall at 5'9" but 16 stone & ripped. The worst car for me at least was a car off our site I used for the weekend a while back, a Merc C220 Diesel. I had my right shoulder touching the B pillar and left arm into the centre console and horrendous backache after only 100 miles or so..
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Speaking of adjustment, perhaps it’s worth a visit to a chiropractor to check your ok. 6 ft 4 is quite tall but it’s not wildly enormous.
The first thing that crossed my mind was 'are you sure it's not you?'. To have 16 cars across two decades without any trouble, but then two in a row that are unbearable...seems a bit odd. It could well be that it's the doubling of time driving that's the problem.I can't suggest a car other than maybe a Volvo of some description. But what I can strongly recommend is Pilates. I'm also 6ft 4 and 15 stone and struggled to get comfortable in any kind of car including a Volvo S60. Pilates sorted it out. It's difficult and hard work to begin with and you'll almost certainly be surrounded by ladies of various shapes and sizes and the odd bloke. But trust me you will feel a difference and it's cheaper than having to swap your new car all the time
WonkeyDonkey said:
Strangely enough the most comfortable car I've had was my Elise. The seats just seemed to fit me perfect. Mind you that was in my 20s, it would probably cause me agony around the waist now lol.
Agree, I had mine in my late 40's and it was really comfortable.Bloody noisy though.
WonkeyDonkey said:
Strangely enough the most comfortable car I've had was my Elise. The seats just seemed to fit me perfect. Mind you that was in my 20s, it would probably cause me agony around the waist now lol.
They're weirdly comfortable. Although maybe not the very first S1's. Caterham Tillets are another seat that look like torture but just keep you in a perfect posture and so are comfortable. Neither probably suit the OP though! So, my experience, I do suffer from back pain so I'm quite picky about seats and know all too well the difference between something that feels comfortable for 30 mins and a seat where you just forget about it as it's a none-issue. But we're all different shapes so take this as personal experience only. Volvo V70 seats are superb for pure comfort. Not much lateral support but not cars where that seems to matter much. I don't like BMW sport seats that much but BMW comfort seats, which are quite a rare option in a 5-series are incredible. Well worth looking out for if you go for a 5-series. BTW, I know it might sound trivial but good seat adjustment can make an enormous difference. Someone once shared this recaro video on here and it made a world of difference to me. Well worth giving it a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnLKdubxRcI
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