Best car for bad back

knobblyknees

Hi,

Can anyone give me some suggestions for the best car to buy if you have a back problem. My husband needs to buy a new car due to severe pain in his lower back. Unfortunatly, his drive is a long commute each day and we are not in the position to find a job closer.

He is driving a skoda octavia at the moment and its quite low down.

He has heard that cars that you need to step up into are better like an SUV or a jeep?

Any suggestions welcome

johnos1984

I'd be more concerned about the seat than stepping in and out.

Volvo are unbeatable for people with back pain from what I know. I have a 2006 Passat which I regularly do long trips in and it's the first car I've ever owned which doesn't give me bad back pain after a long journey.

MugMugs

Got my mother into a vRS Fabia in 05. ANIMAL of a car but she likes the seat and drives it like a little old lady doing the shopping run would.

Anyway, she was crippled with back pain and the time and LOVED the sport seats in it. Swear by it now.

knobblyknees

Both of those sound very good. I'll need to do a bit of googling to see what they are like although appearance doesn't really matter. Well maybe a little;)

He did drive a volvo in the past before the back problem kicked in and loved it. He hasnt looked at the passat or fabia so maybe they are ones to think about too.

Its a tricky one as people online are recommending if he buys a car that he should test drive it for at least an hour before agreeing to buy. I'm not so sure sellers would be keen to give a stranger their car for an hour!

Its a tricky predicament really. I'm suprised there isn't more info out there in the world wide web.

Anan1

In my experience, Volvo and SAAB have the best seats out there.

johnos1984

Personally I'd go with a bigger car like a Passat over a Fabia. It's heavier and better sound insulated and won't be as tiring over long journey's. I like the sporty Fabia's but I'd imagine they would wear you down on a long journey. As said I find the comfort in my Passat great and it has cruise control so you can sit back and relax on a long motorway journey if that's the kind of driving he does. It all adds up to save your back on a long journey.

Volvo's and Saabs are an excellent choice also, probably better seats but I just don't have long term experience of them. As said my Passat is the first car not to give me a lot of discomfort after a long journey

mickdw

Id insist on a full weekend testdrive to be honest in your situation.

mojopolo

I would tend to get aching shoulders / back when travelling long distance and have noticed over the years some cars are better than others.

Based on my experience I can recommend Honda CRV. Vw passat is also good.

Less good - Picasso, vw touran, KIA sportage.

knobblyknees

In my research Saab popped up a few times.

Pardon my ignorance when it comes to cars, but isnt there some issue with Saabs at the moment? Someone mentioned something about a difficulty getting parts for Saab and that scared me off.

He has his eye on a hyundai tucson but hasnt test driven it for comfort yet? any thoughts on this one?

Offy

knobblyknees wrote: »

In my research Saab popped up a few times.

Pardon my ignorance when it comes to cars, but isnt there some issue with Saabs at the moment? Someone mentioned something about a difficulty getting parts for Saab and that scared me off.

He has his eye on a hyundai tucson but hasnt test driven it for comfort yet? any thoughts on this one?

I drive a Saab, they have great seats.

Mister Jingles

knobblyknees wrote: »

In my research Saab popped up a few times.

Pardon my ignorance when it comes to cars, but isnt there some issue with Saabs at the moment? Someone mentioned something about a difficulty getting parts for Saab and that scared me off.

He has his eye on a hyundai tucson but hasnt test driven it for comfort yet? any thoughts on this one?

I've sat in the Tucson lots of times and found the seats very comfortable, especially the front passenger one

For Forks Sake

Anan1 wrote: »

In my experience, Volvo and SAAB have the best seats out there.

I've had a 9-3 and an S40, both have seats far superior to anything I've driven before or after.

vectra

Octavia vRS tdi for the win.

I have one
I also suffer constantly with a back issue .
This car is so good to drive with the seating and firm suspension. ( NOT HARD )

tweedledee

any high spec BMW,the leather seats are extremely well made,very supportive.

-Corkie-

vectra wrote: »

Octavia vRS tdi for the win.

I have one
I also suffer constantly with a back issue .
This car is so good to drive with the seating and firm suspension. ( NOT HARD )

A mate of mine that suffers very badly from his back bought a new Yeti and never suffers back pain whilst driving and he test drove several cars before he purchased..

knobblyknees

Thanks. All this information is a great basis for our search.

He has literally had days where half way though his hour and a half commute, he has to pull over and can't get out of the car with the pain. We will have to work on shortening the commute but for the moment your suggestions will be of a great help in our car search.

kinsy4

Can anyone recommend a car with a good seat for a bad back. Recently had surgery on my back to remove a disc. Traded a '04 Megane Scenic in for a '08 Opel Astra. But since doing that my back is still killing me. Don't know if its cause I'm driving lower down or what. Was thinking about trying to trade the '08 Astra again with something with a comfortable seat. Any recommenations?

Jimbob 83

Lol edit thought you said bad "Luck"

Honda Accords have nice seats from what i hear as do the new Corsa's

Nissan doctor

No one could know what car will have a seat to suit your specific back problem IMO.

Would some sort of specially designed support for whatever car you have not be a better idea?

Nforce

Volvo..S60 or S80.

Jimdagym

I tore a disc nearly 2 years ago. Couldnt swit in my megane after that. It was like being stabbed. Driving her focus (06) a fair bit and thats very comfortable. Drove to sligo and back in the one day and not a bother on me.

dr.fuzzenstein

I have a terribly bad back and so far my CMax seems to fit me best.
Seats are nice and firm, have a good range of adjustments, lumbar support and because it's a tall car, you sit fairly upright. I commute an hour each way every day and it's good so far. Would recommend, but what suits one guy, doesn't necessarily suit another.

HonalD

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I have a terribly bad back and so far my CMax seems to fit me best.
Seats are nice and firm, have a good range of adjustments, lumbar support and because it's a tall car, you sit fairly upright. Would recommend, but what suits one guy, doesn't necessarily suit another.

I agree, c-max or s-max have higher seats but not too high, it would be worth trying out most cars, you'll know the right one when you sit in it. Best of luck.

L1011

Not an Auris.

cabrwab

Sometimes its not just about the seats in the car but also about your actual seating position, how you stretch for the steering wheel feet reach for the peddles.

Now obviously i know nothing about after back surgery!!

I would look into some sort of support device extra lumber support or a hard seat cover, if a seat is too soft it will be hell on a bad back!

cozzie55

The few times i've been in an Astra, i've found the seats the most uncomfortable of any car I've ever sat in. Especially on a long journey
Volvos are known for having the best seats of any car so thats what i'd be looking towards.
I would also look for a car with lumber support if i were you, give extra support to your back

kinsy4

Cheers guys, actually my wifes car is a '06 corsa and it is more comfortable. Just kind of rushed into buying too early after surgery. Will do like ye said will call to a few garages during the week. Heard good things too about C-Maxs.

Damokc

I would guess something high up so you can sit onto and not down into the seat, with a "chair" driving position (knees well bent) would be best?...........Ford Transit?
Seriously though something like a honda HRV or Qashqai maybe?

L1011

Damokc wrote: »

I would guess something high up so you can sit onto and not down into the seat, with a "chair" driving position (knees well bent) would be best?...........Ford Transit?

There are cars with that driving position but they're generally tiny.

Anything short wheel base and high roof has a driving position like that.

GTE

If there is a car you like it could be worth checking out other trim levels to see how the differences in seats help.

My Golf was causing me back pain on longer journeys, swapped the seats out for a higher spec Golf with lumbar support and its been fantastic.

With that said the ride of the car could have a lot to do with it too.

Best of luck.

Saab Ed

I can say this without any bias what so ever. Any Saab

BrianJD

Jimdagym wrote: »

I tore a disc nearly 2 years ago. Couldnt swit in my megane after that. It was like being stabbed. Driving her focus (06) a fair bit and thats very comfortable. Drove to sligo and back in the one day and not a bother on me.

I'm also driving a focus saloon 06 and I find it has really comfortable seats. It's also been commented to me a few times how good they are. I'm sure they must be some of the best for this class.

Jimdagym

Saab Ed wrote: »

I can say this without any bias what so ever. Any Saab

Only been a week, but I am agreeing with you!

cozzie55

Also another thought some cars which offer sports seats can be good for a bad back as they give side support unlike most regular seats which tend to be flat with no support on the sides.

celticcrash

Dont buy a Nissan Almera, I had one and it had the hardest suspension on any car I drove. Tyres can make a big difference, touring tyres have reinforced side walls, no give, making them a very uncomfortable ride.
Your local tyre dealer will know whats best.
I find the bigger and heavier the car the more comfortable ride.
Give me a merc any day.

Bigus

Try the back shop in exchequer street Dublin first.

alias no.9

In something if the same predicament. Had an op last November. My E39 had to go through a combination of me not being able to get in and out too easy and me really not being able to get two small kids in and out at all. We're more than two months making do with Mrs. Alias' Scenic but I'm getting close to being back on full time hours so really need my own wheels again. I know I need an MPVesque seating position preferably mated to an auto box but I really don't want any of the options that fit that bill on a bangernomics budget. Keep convincing myself the right Forrester will turn up but getting awfully close to a CVT Nissan Tino. Maybe a Vel Satis would rescue me if I had the nerve.

rebel.ranter

I had a discectomy in Septembr 2010 & a car with a high driving position was best I found. I was fortunate to have access to a 2009 Land Rover Discovery automatic, I found that to be best for my back post surgery.

My recommendation though is to get your ass as quick as possible to a good physio that knows about dealing with patients with back problems. The longer you leave it the harder the recovery will be. Also I recommend Pilates as ameans to building strength to protect your back. A good physio will do both.

Good luck.

tuborg_man

my father has a bad back and he loves driving my fiat scudo, he sit's up straight, now this obviously doesn't help you much unless you want to buy a kinda crappy van, but no harm in trying

bbam

I suffer with a degenerative back condition and recently changed from a Passat to an xtrail, the more upright position is brilliant.
As is her Citroen GP.

I'd say your looking for a more upright driving position with decent seats, adjustable lumber support.

I can easily do 3-4 hours behind the wheel in her Grand Picasso but 40-50 minutes in the Passat was killing me.

duckysauce

http://back-shop.com/our-products/for-the-car/

djimi

This might not help much but from my experience by far and away the best thing for bad backs are Recaro seats. Anyone who gets into my car will say they are the most supportive car seats they have ever sat in.

BigEejit

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Lol edit thought you said bad "Luck"

Honda Accords have nice seats from what i hear as do the new Corsa's

Honda accord seat is nice alright, but getting in and out of them kills me any time my back is playing up. It needs to be higher.... possibly a CRV or something.

Guy:Incognito

Nissan doctor wrote: »

No one could know what car will have a seat to suit your specific back problem IMO.

Would some sort of specially designed support for whatever car you have not be a better idea?

This covers it.

What could be great for one person could cause another excrutiating pain.

It's goign to be a case of tryign for yourself and finding what suits.

Yakuza

Damokc wrote: »

Seriously though something like a honda HRV or Qashqai maybe?

+1 on the Qashqai as a potential one to try (of course, you need to see for yourself). I got mine when the missus was about 5 months preggers, and she was much more comfortable in it due to the higher seating position than that of my previous car (E46 320i). She had a few back issues due to the pregnancy and the QQ's seats brought her some much-needed relief.

Personally, I also noticed it was much easier to lean into the car to buckle up the kids' seatbelts / harnesses as you're not bent double while doing so - and I'm not particularly tall (178cm/5'10").

I still miss the 320i though, from a performance point of view, but that's for another thread

inforfun

djimi wrote: »

This might not help much but from my experience by far and away the best thing for bad backs are Recaro seats. Anyone who gets into my car will say they are the most supportive car seats they have ever sat in.

This.
And probably cheaper to change a seat than an entire car.

If your chair at home isnt comfortable, you are not going to move house, are you?
No, you chunk out the chair and buy a proper one.

dgt

In 2009 I damaged my back in an excersise. Don't call me biased but for me at my price a set of Alfa momos was the way to go. Fits in my van, suitable for long distance driving, very comfortable with lumbar support. My 166 has the same seats (albeit with a few electric controlls and airbags) and its just a wonderful place to sit. Would recommend any Alfa with momos

alias no.9

inforfun wrote: »

This.
And probably cheaper to change a seat than an entire car.

If your chair at home isnt comfortable, you are not going to move house, are you?
No, you chunk out the chair and buy a proper one.

Access can be as big a problem as the seats.

randy hickey

As someone who suffered from bouts of fairly nasty back trouble over the years (none recently, touch wood), the only car that I could do a long journey in without feeling it, was the Lexus Gs - aided and abetted by a fully electronically adjustable seat with lumbar support.
Ironically, I found the seat in the Isuzu Trooper to be quite harsh on the back.( Maybe this had more to do with the way I had to twist getting in and out.)

randy hickey

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Heated seats make a huge difference!

Yeah, forgot about that too!:D

Mycroft H

Saab Ed wrote: »

I can say this without any bias what so ever. Any Saab

+1

Can say without a shadow of a doubt that Saabs have the nicest seats in the motor industry.

To contrast the recaros in a Legasy that I was passenger in, while supportive laterally, were not doing any favors with lower back support.