What cheap runaround...with good head room?

catastrophy

Hi guys,

Long story short, have a lower back injury and need to sit straight as a poker in the car. In my current runabout (fiesta my 4.5) this means I don't fit without bending my neck. Getting in and out is a pain too.

So I'm wondering what cars have decent headroom when the seat back is straight up for someone who is not that tall (6' 1") and without having my legs stretched out in front of me. I'm firmly in the bangernomics price range too and don't care about gearbox type, fuel type etc.

I'm even thinking of a van at this stage...

Zcott

How about something like a Yaris Verso?

catastrophy

Zcott wrote: »

How about something like a Yaris Verso?

I've never sat in one, I always thought they were just elongated rather than taller than a regular yaris.

couerdelion

catastrophy wrote: »

I'm even thinking of a van at this stage...

I've a 1.3 Diesel Doblo and it's great. Bought it for carrying cycles and it's pretty handy alround. Loads of headroom and a pretty upright seating position. Easily averages over 50mpg but it probably wouldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding

Mines a 2005 so no turbo - the newer version has a turbo and you can buy them as cars ie. windows and seats in the back.

catastrophy

couerdelion wrote: »

I've a 1.3 Diesel Doblo and it's great. Bought it for carrying cycles and it's pretty handy alround. Loads of headroom and a pretty upright seating position. Easily averages over 50mpg but it probably wouldn't pull the skin of a rice pudding

Mines a 2005 so no turbo - the newer version has a turbo and you can buy them as cars ie. windows and seats in the back.

Not too worried about performance, must have a look at one.

couerdelion

catastrophy wrote: »

Not too worried about performance, must have a look at one.

If you are anywhere nr Blanchardstown I can meet up - mines not for sale though.

catastrophy

couerdelion wrote: »

If you are anywhere nr Blanchardstown I can meet up - mines not for sale though.

Thanks for the offer but unfortunately I'm not.

keithsfleet

Are you fussy about the year?

bazz26

Renault Scenic:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Renault/Scenic/MEGANE-4/36313727570826630/

Dord

Mercedes A-class. Go for the facelift of the Mk1 (W168 is the mercedes model number). I have an A140 and it's great for leg and headroom. I'm 6'5".

catastrophy

keithsfleet wrote: »

Are you fussy about the year?

Not in the slightest.

catastrophy

bazz26 wrote: »

Renault Scenic:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Renault/Scenic/MEGANE-4/36313727570826630/

Hmmmnnn never had one of those on the radar.

catastrophy

Dord wrote: »

Mercedes A-class. Go for the facelift of the Mk1 (W168 is the mercedes model number). I have an A140 and it's great for leg and headroom. I'm 6'5".

That is interesting and would be an easy sell to my ever so practical wife.

keithsfleet

catastrophy wrote: »

Not in the slightest.

Bazz beat me to it.
A scenic is exactly what I was going to recommend. The early ones can be had for peanuts and even the newer ones are entering (if not already) in bangernomics territory.

pred racer

Dord wrote: »

Mercedes A-class. Go for the facelift of the Mk1 (W168 is the mercedes model number). I have an A140 and it's great for leg and headroom. I'm 6'5".

i was waiting for that:pac:

Dord

catastrophy wrote: »

That is interesting and would be an easy sell to my ever so practical wife.

The seating position is pretty much like a van. Good visibility and the seat is higher up than most cars due to the double floor.

If you can find a longwheel base model, get that. They handle better and have a ridiculous amount of space in the back. Mine is one of those. You can spot quickly them by the rear doors being the same length as the front.

The facelift has 4 "slats" in the grille and the revised bumper shown in the pic I posted. The long wheelbase model is only available from the facelift which came in late 2001.

They're not without their issues like most cars. However, most issues are documented well at this stage. The W168 "bible" is located here.It shows how to fix or use just about any feature in the car. Make sure you get it checked by a competent mechanic also.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

catastrophy

Dord wrote: »

The seating position is pretty much like a van. Good visibility and the seat is higher up than most cars due to the double floor.

If you can find a longwheel base model, get that. They handle better and have a ridiculous amount of space in the back. Mine is one of those. You can spot quickly them by the rear doors being the same length as the front.

The facelift has 4 "slats" in the grille and the revised bumper shown in the pic I posted. The long wheelbase model is only available from the facelift which came in late 2001.

They're not without their issues like most cars. However, most issues are documented well at this stage. The W168 "bible" is located here.It shows how to fix or use just about any feature in the car. Make sure you get it checked by a competent mechanic also.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Cheers, will do. Some great info there.

dh0011

OP, I have had trouble with discs and facet joints in my back for the last seven years. I am 5 foot 10. I drive an avensis, I sit straight up and have a few inches to spare.
I have a few friends with avensis and if i ever drive their cars i am happy out. Same goes for a mondeo. Most other cars not so much. I find German cars fit well but the suspension can be very hard in some of them and it hurts my back.

You will be surprised to hear me suggest the fiat panda. I find it quite comfortable and you could get them for almost nothing.

catastrophy

dh0011 wrote: »

OP, I have had trouble with discs and facet joints in my back for the last seven years. I am 5 foot 10. I drive an avensis, I sit straight up and have a few inches to spare.
I have a few friends with avensis and if i ever drive their cars i am happy out. Same goes for a mondeo. Most other cars not so much. I find German cars fit well but the suspension can be very hard in some of them and it hurts my back.

You will be surprised to hear me suggest the fiat panda. I find it quite comfortable and you could get them for almost nothing.

I'm relatively familiar with the avensis and mondeo. Not for me unfortunately but the panda is an interesting one. The closer I can get to sitting with my legs under me the better in my case.

dh0011

First time I drove a panda it was about a 20 mile journey. I was expecting to be in bits after it. I was flying it. Normally dinky cars (punto yaris micra ka seicento ...) cripple me but the panda is nice. The one I drove has never missed a service and feels good with about 90000 miles on the clock has given my buddy no trouble.

ps Gearstick is positioned nicely aswell which I liked a lot.

meoklmrk91

Another vote for the panda, loads of headroom , high driving position and you can pick one up cheap as chips,

catastrophy

Finally got sorted with a car, thanks to all for the suggestions.

ba_barabus

catastrophy wrote: »

Finally got sorted with a car, thanks to all for the suggestions.

What did you get?

catastrophy

ba_barabus wrote: »

What did you get?

Nothing overly interesting, a mk 3 rav4.

ba_barabus

catastrophy wrote: »

Nothing overly interesting, a mk 3 rav4.

Well wear:)

catastrophy

ba_barabus wrote: »

Well wear:)

Cheers, it's a little expensive to run mind you so ill be looking at an lpg conversion in the near future. Overall though I'm quite happy with it.

galwaytt

catastrophy wrote: »

Hmmmnnn never had one of those on the radar.

Good car (Scenic that is), have had 3. Very comfy car, driving position is very good.

Go for the 1.4 16v.

[edit] oops, too late !! [/edit]

catastrophy

galwaytt wrote: »

Good car (Scenic that is), have had 3. Very comfy car, driving position is very good.

Go for the 1.4 16v.

[edit] oops, too late !! [/edit]

Didn't actually get to sit in a scenic despite a few people recommending them.