Looking for a really COMFORTABLE car - Recommendations?

cathalbrophy

I'm currently driving a Golf TDI Highline - it's got a seriously hard suspension and the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat on.
My back is killing me and although I've tried every sort of cushion/back support etc, nothing seems to work.

I'd consider changing seats etc BUT:
If the worst comes to the worst and I have to change, can anybody recommend a replacement? I'd be aiming for around 2009-10-ish

It has to be:
1. Very comfortable - I do a lot of driving and that's my main concern
2. Economical - relatively cheap to run, tax etc - diesel I guess?

I've heard Volvo are a pretty safe bet. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated though. Thanks in advance

Bigus

What wheels and tyres are on your golf, ? And is the suspension original VW or lowered.

Profile and diameter of tyres is one of the main factors in ride comfort.

Maybe Borrow ordinary wheels with 65 profile tyres to try, on your own car first to get perspective on comfort.

Volvos are renowned for the best seats

Fuh Q

When I drove for a living my back was at me all the time, I met a physio one day who had done research on driving positions, she suggested I try a people carrier or maybe a van derived minibus type vehicle.
I changed my car to a minibus type and guess what ? the problem disappeared.
It was explained to me that the seating position in a bus or van is better because it is similar to a kitchen chair position whereas a saloon car makes you stretch out forward to get to the pedals which is not good for some people, the low position also causes the slouched position which we all know is not good.

Try driving another car before you buy your next one.

166man

Volvo S80 2.0D.

ian87

I had the exact same problem in my Mkv golf. Terrible seats.. Switched to an Audi a3, problem disappeared. I'd try a Volvo or a Saab.

Edit: just saw you want 09/10. Saab kind of out of the question... Volvo s40. Well kitted and the r design ones are very nice.

Bennybeau

What year is your golf? How much would you be looking for it if your selling?

sebastianlieken

Arn't french cars renowned for being smooth/spongy/ and soft?

We had a Peugot ...ehhhh.... 207 estate *i think* for a few months. I actually really liked it because it was like floating around the place on a fluffy cloud. It practically drove itself it was so easy and comfy to drive. Mum hated it for precicly that reason though so we got rid of it. (she didn't like that she didn't feel in control, that the steering didn't feel tactile enough)

Also, 2nd post here from Bigus. I've a golf with 17" and it's a pretty hard ride aswell. Speedbumps are the devils work. The tires make alot of sense.

thecomedian

Get a good spec Volvo, I use to have an old s60 and the seats were great. Very comfortable. I image the new ones are the same. I'd have a look at the s80.

R.O.R

I've driven a lot of different cars over the past few years, on my fairly long (62km each way) commute, and I can honestly say that the seats in the new Superb are the comfiest I've ever sat in - Ambition / Elegance, not driven a poverty model so don't know what those seats are like.

Better for me than the seats in the S40/V50/V40/S60/V60/S80/V70/9-3/9-5. However, seat comfort does vary person to person. A lot of people like the seats in the Laguna for comfort, but they give me backache within a couple of minutes as they are too soft.

I also got some pretty good MPG figures from a 2010 Superb 2.0Tdi 170 (Ambition) that I had for a couple of weeks. Average around 4.6 L/100km IIRC in over 1,000km of driving, and as it's not set up as a sports car, it rides well.

Other options with great seats are the Sports Seats in the Irish Passat Highlines (also on the Sport spec models, but they had gone by 2009/2010). Was an option on Comfortlines, but very rarely ticked. Sports seats in the Insignia SRI are also pretty good, or if you can find one, the Insignia with the optional Ergonomic Sports seats is comfortable, but the ride isn't really that great due to the 18" wheels on most versions.

cathalbrophy

Thanks for all the replies lads.

My Golf is actually a Mk6 2011 1.6 TDI. I only bought it last month. The last car I had was a Mk4 2003 1.9TDI. I figured it was basically the same thing, only newer.
However it's definitely a sportier looking version if the Mk6, suspension seems to be really hard and you can basically feel every pebble.
It was ok for the first week or so, then gradually the back pain got worse and worse and now I hate the sight of the thing!
Cost me 20k as well.

Bigus wrote: »

What wheels and tyres are on your golf, ? And is the suspension original VW or lowered.

Profile and diameter of tyres is one of the main factors in ride comfort.

Maybe Borrow ordinary wheels with 65 profile tyres to try, on your own car first to get perspective on comfort.

Volvos are renowned for the best seats

The wheels are only 16" - not huge in fairness. Haven't checked the tyres but I'll have a look later, plus check with the garage maybe re suspension. I doubt that it's been lowered though.
It's just extremely hard to drive - both the seats and the ride itself.

I'd rather not trade it but the pain is intense at this stage so we'll see.
Maybe I could swap it for a Volvo/Peugeot or something?

Any more suggestions more than welcome! Thanks guys

Tea 1000

If you bought it from a VW dealer he might give you a good trade in again to change it for a 2011 Passat. Seats in those are very comfortable, particularly in Comfortline mode, also highline has nice seats. The Passat seats don't look particularly comfortable, and even sitting briefly in them doesn't reveal anything special, but they do work well after hours in the car.

Tea 1000

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/D3-2.0-D/30113456363428560/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S80/1.6-D-DR/32913607524804100/advert?channel=CARS

liquoriceall

Have a volvo c30 myself soo comfortable and its such a miser! Had a s40 for a few days drove over 500km in 2 days very good as well

Roger_007

Skoda Superb is by far the best value car on the market. Comfy too.

Tea 1000

Roger_007 wrote: »

Skoda Superb is by far the best value car on the market. Comfy too.

New only, they're not great value second hand.

pred racer

For comfort it has to be a C5 with hydraulic suspension, its like driving a bed!

dgt

+1 for PSA saloons, seriously comfortable.

Or an Alfa with momos :cool:

crosstownk

pred racer wrote: »

For comfort it has to be a C5 with hydraulic suspension, its like driving a bed!

+1.

Citroen C5 2.0HDi Exclusive. Seriously smooth and it also has a 'sport' setting which stiffens the suspension. Good fuel economy too.

cathalbrophy

Tea 1000 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/D3-2.0-D/30113456363428560/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S80/1.6-D-DR/32913607524804100/advert?channel=CARS

Thanks man, I'll have a look!

Tea 1000 wrote: »

If you bought it from a VW dealer he might give you a good trade in again to change it for a 2011 Passat. Seats in those are very comfortable, particularly in Comfortline mode, also highline has nice seats. The Passat seats don't look particularly comfortable, and even sitting briefly in them doesn't reveal anything special, but they do work well after hours in the car.

Good idea, I might call over and have a chat with him. Is the Passat really that comfortable though? Isn't it basically a Golf, only a saloon?

pred racer wrote: »

For comfort it has to be a C5 with hydraulic suspension, its like driving a bed!

Thanks, I'll be spending the night on carzone!

And thanks everyone else for the suggestions, much appreciated lads.

cathalbrophy

One more question:

Any thoughts on the Ford Mondeo? Comfortable?

Stallingrad

pred racer wrote: »

For comfort it has to be a C5 with hydraulic suspension, its like driving a bed!

When I saw this thread this was the first car that came to mind.

MuppetCheck

cathalbrophy wrote: »

One more question:

Any thoughts on the Ford Mondeo? Comfortable?

Extremely.

f140

you wont beat the c5. my relatives had back problems aswell and they swear by the c5.

Turtle-TM

Audi A8 only problem is tax! Economical for motorway running and the most comfortable thing I've ever driven or been a passenger in.

I've heard the Citroen c6 is very comfortable. I find the key to a comfortable driving position is to not be too far away from the wheel with the seat back, so no "skanger lean" where the seat back is basically flat! Something with arm rests to keep your shoulders from being tense and getting uncomfortable.

I also found the Q7 and range rover quite comfortable too, as is the toureg, didn't think the 5 or 3 series had a comfortable driving position, 7 series does IMO

cathalbrophy

I've seen a lot of people here mention Recaro seats.

Would that be an option on a Golf?
If so, where can you get them in Ireland?