Back Pain - Best Car?

ferdi

Hi folks, any suggestions for a second hand car which would be comfortable for someone who suffers from bad back pain? A nice high seating position maybe, where you dont sink back into the seat at an angle and its agony after 20minutes driving..

Preferences: low milage, around €8K, petrol or deisel, 2006 or newer, pref not an SUV

Thanks!

CamperMan

Volvo & SAAB are the first cars that spring to mind, very comfortable!

Guy:Incognito

CamperMan wrote: »

Volvo & SAAB are the first cars that spring to mind, very comfortable!

What might be comfortable to one person with no back issues might not be comfortabel ot one with back issues. The same could be said for different types of back pain.

Ferdi is it somethig that starts getting sore straight away? If so test driving a few cars will be the easiest way. If it's more related to long stints in the car it might be a bit more difficult.

Somehtign with a firmer seat or good lumbar support might be the order of the day.

Anan1

SAAB was the first thing that occurred to me too, but I think you'll have to try a few cars too. Seat heating can also be a help.

Sqaull20

My father swears by his Rover 75 which has all the extras like full leather, heated seats etc, he's a big heavy fella with a dodgy back and driving my lancer/ my sis's Yaris is pure torture for him.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1336820

mcwhirter

ferdi wrote: »

Hi folks, any suggestions for a second hand car which would be comfortable for someone who suffers from bad back pain? A nice high seating position maybe, where you dont sink back into the seat at an angle and its agony after 20minutes driving..

Preferences: low milage, around €8K, petrol or deisel, 2006 or newer, pref not an SUV

Thanks!

Rover 75 have very comfortable seats, get the diesel, cheap to buy and run although stopped being made in 2005. Also I have had a saab in the past and the seats were great too. The Volvo s80 is supposed to have good seats.

furtzy

There was a very good article in What Car a couple of months ago about proper seat/steering wheel adjustment by a top chiropractor. It gave detailed descriptions and measurements for the proper setup. very interesting read. Might be still available from their website

mc01a

VW something like a Bora:):)

if you want you could get it in comfortline

recomend diesel.... have a bit more power in torque

the seats are full adjustable. height, etc

8k, but that would only buy you around the 04 years:(,

ninty9er

One tip, don't even bother to test drive something manual if your problem is lower back pain.

EPM

you'll be doing well with getting an 06 diesel for 8k. Maybe have a look at a mondeo, they have good seats that are fully adjustable. You should be able to get a nice 04-05 zetec spec for that money

r3nu4l

Sqaull20 wrote: »

My father swears by his Rover 75 which has all the extras like full leather, heated seats etc, he's a big heavy fella with a dodgy back and driving my lancer/ my sis's Yaris is pure torture for him.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1336820

mcwhirter wrote: »

Rover 75 have very comfortable seats, get the diesel, cheap to buy and run although stopped being made in 2005. Also I have had a saab in the past and the seats were great too. The Volvo s80 is supposed to have good seats.

I was going to recommend a Jaguar but as Rover 75's are basically Jag-lite then you'll probably find it easier to get one of these since they may be cheaper. Getting an auto will save you doing clutch work and save your back some aggro.

CamperMan

Stekelly wrote: »

What might be comfortable to one person with no back issues might not be comfortabel ot one with back issues. The same could be said for different types of back pain.

Ferdi is it somethig that starts getting sore straight away? If so test driving a few cars will be the easiest way. If it's more related to long stints in the car it might be a bit more difficult.

Somehtign with a firmer seat or good lumbar support might be the order of the day.

I mentioned those makes of cars because I suffer from a bad back myself and have done for many years, I find when I drive a SAAB or a Volvo, the seats seem to be more suited and by back does not ache as much as it would driving a Honda, Nissan etc.

Personally, I drive a 1993 Range Rover, I find the seats very comfortable, I can drive 100's of miles non stop without any discomfort on my back

Lex Luthor

My chiropractor says that Toyota have the best seats for backs.....

My wifes verso is testament to that

benj

from what i hear volvo have the most comfortable and safest seats in the world.....

Victor_M

Stay away from VW's their 'sportsline' seats are the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat in, I don't suffer from back pain thankfully, unless i've been in the wife's golf for more than 20 mins.

Make sure not to get a car with sports suspension either,how about a nice merc, soft ride and nice comfy leather seats, some of them also have air suspension.

flamegrill

get any car that meets the following criteria:

1) has adjustable seats for height, forward/backward, lumbar support
2) steering wheel comes out and goes in and also up and down, very important to ensure your seating position is correct
3) that the seats are semi-hard but comfortable. seats that are too soft will not be good for your back as they don't hold their shape
4) ensure that the position that is comfortable is a safe distance from the steering wheel, failure to do so could cause severe damage in an accident as the air bag can kill you if you're on top of it

I personally have had weird back problems for 13 years, I drive a 06 sport passat TDI with electronic seat adjustment. I find it excellent for short, medium and long drives. Driving to scotland in the end of june, that'll be the longest trip yet. Can't wait

bushy...

benj wrote: »

from what i hear volvo have the most comfortable and safest seats in the world.....

Volvo at it again ? Scania > car

Anyway , try an auto maybe as ninty9er mentioned ? Gf years ago was having trouble , clutch gone stiff causing trouble up along her back

Barr

I'd definately agree with the SAAB - I reckon the best seats in the business . Get an auto so you dont have to be clutching it which should help.

melbourne

What you need is to pick up a support seat. There are essentially made the way that your back should be. You can get them in the large Chemist/Physio shop thats on Talbot St (near where it links with Gardner St). The last time I bought one they were about €90. I have one on the couch full time and one in the car but as they fold in half they are easy to swop around, I actually brought it to Australia with me on the plane and used it in my ute over there too. Whilst the a fore mentioned cars have without doubt extremely comforable seats this may be a way of broadening your horizans on car choice. The link below should bring you to what I'm trying to describe, good luck

http://www.vitasprings.com/mccartys-sacro-ease-brsc-15-inch.html

Appleguy

I'd have to back ford on this one (excuse the pun ;-) ), most comfortable seats ive had.

Ferris

Keep your current car if you're happy with it and fit an orthopedic seat from someone like recaro:

http://www.recaro.com/index.php?id=53&L=2

legal eagle 1

My dad has severe back problems for many years and the cars with a bit of height to them seems to have helped his comfort. He currently drives a landrover which he says he will never part with. Up to date he tried Ford, Opel and Toyota and Skoda, all of which he said were terrible.

Mycroft H

Barr wrote: »

I'd definately agree with the SAAB - I reckon the best seats in the business . Get an auto so you dont have to be clutching it which should help.

+1 even the old 9000 had a great set of seats, full lumber support

Seth Brundle

I recall hearing from an orthapaedic consultant on some documentary that pretty much every seat in a mass produced car is not good for you.
I would talk to your man in the Back Shop on Exchequer St. in Dublin
http://www.back-shop.com/car.htm

bookerboy

Forget about changing your car and try some one to one sessions in Pilates.I had suffered from lower back pain for years and by chance stumbled accross Pilates.
If you do the exercises you are given your back pain will go away.
They concentrate on building up your back muscels ,the improvement will change your life.
Try it for a month,you will be amazed