Back+hip pain,need comfy motor,about €13k

toby2111 · 20-09-2010 8:07pm #1

Got bad hip and back and its gettin worse lately.So,I'm thinking of changing my car.Currently driving a 07 Kia Ceed 1.6 diesel,57km on clock.Just been serviced,still in top condition.Not too sure what I'd get for it maybe 8k-10k?Anyway have about €5000 myself to hopefully put to a decent comfortable 08 rig,if possible.So heres what I'm looking for-
Easy to get in and out of
Comfortable to drive
Under 40km mileage,if possible as I do quite a bit of driving
Diesel and 2008 or newer
Max €600 or €700 tax so no bigger than 2 litre engine prob
Reliable
Doesnt look like a tractor!Decent to look at.

I know I could be living in dreamland here but thats why I'm asking for opinions.Would an SUV/crossover type motor be easier to get in/out of?I doubt I'd get one of those within my budget.Would I need more cash?

frank gooding · 20-09-2010 9:14pm

French do soft and comfy. Citreon C5 reno Laguna

toby2111 · 20-09-2010 9:23pm

Thanks frank.Are they easy to get in and out of?

frank gooding · 20-09-2010 9:29pm

I always thought so, but no back problems thank god.

An automatic might be a good option too.

I know a frined from the uk complained a car played up on his back because the armrest was too low. putting a slight twist on his back. Only really figured it out after changing cars. Something to watch out for.

Only real way is to try em out.

toby2111 · 20-09-2010 10:01pm

Citreon looks nice but prob out of my price range.Might get a look at the laguna.Would a VW Jetta be too pricey?They look comfy!

Guy:Incognito · 20-09-2010 10:03pm

I'd try as many different cars for extended test drives as possible. Something one person finds really comfortable might be agony for you.

toby2111 · 20-09-2010 10:12pm

Very true.But I'd like to get a list of possible cars that I could test drive that would match as many as the requirements I mentioned above.I dont know a whole pile about cars so at least then I could narrow my search down.Or try scrape together a few extra quid which would give me more of a choice!

Top Dog · 20-09-2010 11:14pm

Both my parents have bad backs and dad's now on his 4th consecutive Laguna and I've never heard him complain about the seats/access/comfort of them ... well, besides telling me that he wanted the seats out of my higher spec Laguna

drakshug · 20-09-2010 11:22pm

I have spina bifida occulta and my volvo s40 is the comfiest I've driven. It takes a bit to adjust finely but the thing supports me from all sides. More importantly it is set up ergonomically so I dont have to reach and have good arm posture. You can also adjust the firmness. I dont get a bad back out of it. Now all I have to do is get a decent bed.
Best is that they don't hold their value. You'd prob get a 07 or 08 for the price quoted.

Tropheus · 21-09-2010 12:27am

I have arthritis and suffer from back and hip pain too. IMO, soft and comfy is the last thing you need. You should be looking for a firmer seat. I recommened the German makes including the VAG brands such as SEAT and Skoda. Their seats are generally pretty supportive.

You could also look at adding an after market Recaro seat. That's what I ended up doing. Not cheap, but what price are you willing to pay for comfort?

As has been said above, you can't beat an extended test drive to really find out how comfortable a car will be in the long run.

Pdfile · 21-09-2010 4:15am

saabs all day long, sit in one and you'll understand ( leathers a must btw )

bazz26 · 21-09-2010 10:52am

Go French or Swedish for comfort imo.

I'd second the Volvo S40, currently have one and it's the most comfortable car I have owned to date. Long trips are a pleasure but leather seats are a must and see if you can find one with the optional Winter Pack as the seats are also heated. Might be hard finding a low mileage 08 for €13k though.

I know you want something with less than 40k miles but this is not that far off and well within budget, has a decent spec, €156 to tax per year and definately should be worth considering:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201037199519303

flutered · 21-09-2010 10:56am

i have the same problems as you, a suzuki has been a godsend.

bigSuzi12 · 21-09-2010 10:59am

Why not get a back supporting cushion from your local physio. I've had back problems last couple of years and it was a pain to drive most cars. €50 later and a good supporting pillow(memory foam) and it's well sorted. Cheaper than buying a new car. In my experience most cars have very little lower back support.

I did notice on a Mondeo I rented recently that you can adjust the lower lumbar support in the small of you back. But if you buy a secondhand car you are buying a cushioned seat that has formed around someone else's posture and it might not suit you. Cushion is the best way to go IMO.

toby2111 · 21-09-2010 11:05am

Flutered-what model of a suzuki have you got?
Now,I'm confused-is it comfy seats or harder seats I should be looking out for?Dont think €13k is going to get me a 08 model in anything so will have to rustle up an extra grand or two.The Laguna looks to be the best priced that I've looked at on carzone,then the citreon but volvo pricey.

djimi · 21-09-2010 11:14am

This may sound way out there but I have found that the Recaro seats in my car are great for a sore back. I used to get a sore back at times from driving my old car and since Ive been driving the Integra with the Recaros its been an awful lot better. My girlfriend has bad kidneys and she has told me many times how much better she feels when in the Recaro seats.

Im not suggesting that you buy an Integra or anything like that, but the seats might be worth looking into. This is purely from my experience tho, and there may be better options out there that would be cheaper.

rx8 · 21-09-2010 11:19am

Had a Laguna a few years ago and it was the most comfortable car ever,the new models have a 1.5 diesel engine and are mostly only €156 road tax.
Have a look here; http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Laguna/LAGUNA-3/201033199265818/advert?channel=CARS
for an idea of what's available.
good luck with it anyway.

bazz26 · 21-09-2010 11:19am

Back pain varies from person to person so the only real way is for you to test drive a few of these cars and see how comfortable you are in them. I'd also try and get a 24 hour or weekend test drive from the dealers so that you get a good feel for comfort rather than just a quick trip down the road.

Another one to consider:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201032199193971

Ferris · 21-09-2010 11:22am

A call to these might help:

http://www.recaro.com/us/product-areas/aftermarket-seats/products/overview.html

Buy the car you want and fit one of these.

By the by french cars seem to ride better/softer. What about a Peugeot 607, nice big soft riding car. High spec volvos and Saabs are supposed to have excellent seats also.

Tropheus · 21-09-2010 12:04pm

New Recaro seats are expensive. I bought a second hand one from a guy in Germany on eBay. It took about two months to arrive, but was in great condition and worked out at half the price.

Turbulent Bill · 21-09-2010 12:18pm

Might be a stupid question, but did you go to your doctor/physio to try to fix your back? Would be the obvious place to start, both to see whether the condition is fixable or permanent and what you should be looking for in a seat. I understand this is Motors (and Boards doesn't do medical stuff), just something to consider.

Even a long test drive mightn't be enough to reveal what works best for you.

tfitzgerald · 21-09-2010 12:24pm

i have a bad back as a result of a car accident and the best car i found for comfort was the laguna the worst was an opel , the vw are not great either this is just my opinion and experience

Ronquist · 21-09-2010 12:37pm

http://www.adverts.ie/500/ads/user-155172/

not a 2008, but everything else you could wish for

I know i know shameless advertising my own car.
But OP is looking for something and the car im offering provides what he is looking for.

fenris · 21-09-2010 12:38pm

I think the key is the height difference between your feet and hips when you sit into the car. I broke my pelvis (including hip socket) a few years ago and have found that regardless of soft or hard seats the biggest factor for comfort is that height difference as it impacts your comfort when in the car and also the ease with which you can get in and out which lets face it is where you are going to tweak something sore!

My current car is a nissan X-Trail, the upright position makes getting in and out easy and comfortable for long spins. Might be worth checking out some fake 4*4s just for the seat position and east of entry.

Sitting in traffic can be another source of pain as you are continuously using the clutch / accelerator - make sure that you line your feet up vertically with the pedals as if you let your toes drift outwards you will end up with more pain afterwards.

Wibbs · 21-09-2010 1:28pm

djimi wrote: »

This may sound way out there but I have found that the Recaro seats in my car are great for a sore back.

Plus one on the Recaros. Ive had them in a couple of cars and they are a very supportive seat. I actually had back trouble a few years back. Cue a round of physios, they provided some relief but it didnt last. A month driving around in the aforementioned recaros and no back pain since(mine also came with the built in lower back pump up section). It appears in my case anyway my previous car seats were the problem. If you drive a fair bit like me it stands to reason I suppose.

Maybe you can try out one and see if it suits. They're daft money from OEM stock(over the 1000 mark usually), but either go secondhand like ksimpson suggested or buy direct as it were and go here http://www.capitalseating.co.uk/productdetail.asp?pid=244&type=s almost identical to the OEM ones for under 300 quid sterling.

We're all different though and one mans magic carpet ride could be anothers torture device.

toby2111 · 21-09-2010 7:13pm

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Might be a stupid question, but did you go to your doctor/physio to try to fix your back?

I got Perthes disease in my right hip which is getting worse.Going to need a new hip but doc's wont operate cos they said I'm too young(I'm 35) and to wait for a few more years.I've also popped a disc in my back twice in last few years.Doc's said I've a weak lower back.But its giving me jip again lately.So just thought a change of motor might help....even though its a change of hip I need!!
Anyway,back on topic,whats the Megane like.Its cheaper than the Laguna but is it much of a lesser car comfort wise?

Esel · 22-09-2010 5:05am

Really, with your medical condition/issues, you are going to have to try some of the cars recommended. I've no personal experience, but have read great things about Citroens vis-a-vis bad backs. The C5 would be worth a look, although may not be high enough for easy access? Isn't the C4 (or a version thereof) higher than average? Citroens (most, anyway) have hydropneumatic suspension, which has been described as 'magic carpet ride' stuff.

Also, seriously consider an automatic. Which hip is bad, btw?

toby2111 · 22-09-2010 8:41am

esel wrote: »

Which hip is bad, btw?

Its the right one.Going to another specialist soon to get another opinion,maybe he'll decide to do replacement.
Yeh,the C5 looks nice.It just may be a little out of my price range.Either that or the Laguna seem to be getting the most favourable reviews here.

Back+hip pain,need comfy motor,about €13k

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