Car for a bad back. Suggestions please.

corner back 2

I recently had an MRI with not great news. As a result I need to change my cat. I will be trading a 131 Peugeot 508SW. I am thinking an automatic with a high seating position as I am currently using my wife's automatic Renault Kadjar. Max budget would be about €22000 before trade in. Also would like room in the back for 2 adults and a child as my parents are travelling with us more often. Best options in Done Deal I have seen are Grand Scenic, C4 Picasso or a Kia Carens. I am open to all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

bazz26

There really is no one size fits all car for a bad back. Back injuries are very unique to the person in question as is their comfort level so one car that's recommended could potentially either be totally suitable or not. Generally though French and Swedish cars tend to have the most comfortable of seats but again it would depend on how the individual finds them.

corner back 2

bazz26 wrote: »

There really is no one size fits all car for a bad back. Back injuries are very unique to the person in question as is their comfort level so one car that's recommended could potentially either be totally suitable or not. Generally though French and Swedish cars tend to have the most comfortable of seats but again it would depend on how the individual finds them.

Thanks would agree with you here. Finding the Kadjar suits but the wife needs it back. Just looking for suggestions and would test drive to see if they suit. No harm trying to learn from the experience of other boardsies.

brightspark

Try a Ford CMax, a higher driving position, but without the high floor many of the SUVs have.
(The only car Mrs Brightspark liked as the passenger seat was as adjustable as the drivers in the 2017 Titanium version)


edit, not sure if you can get it in an automatic, also the SMax might suit your seating needs better?

_Brian

I’ve permanent back and neck injuries following an RTA in 2009.

Find Ford Kuga very comfortable on long journies. Have done very long days driving (10hrs) in it without problem.

Mad_Mike

As Baz says, there is no one size fits all, but throwing my tuppence in here anyway

I have started to suffer with back issues over the last few years, and generally speaking, a harder more solid seat works better for me
My wife had a Volvo and a Saab after that and both of them were great for my back and I could do long drives in them without any major discomfort

Myself, I've had Passats and now an Audi A4. The Passats were not good at all for my back and were softer seats with less support.
The A4 is a 04 one with quite firm leather seats with lumbar support and extendable base and while they are quite good, I should really be looking for better

Maybe try a sit into a Volvo XC60 or something like it just to see how they feel for you

corner back 2

Mad_Mike wrote: »

As Baz says, there is no one size fits all, but throwing my tuppence in here anyway

I have started to suffer with back issues over the last few years, and generally speaking, a harder more solid seat works better for me
My wife had a Volvo and a Saab after that and both of them were great for my back and I could do long drives in them without any major discomfort

Myself, I've had Passats and now an Audi A4. The Passats were not good at all for my back and were softer seats with less support.
The A4 is a 04 one with quite firm leather seats with lumbar support and extendable base and while they are quite good, I should really be looking for better

Maybe try a sit into a Volvo XC60 or something like it just to see how they feel for you

Getting in and out of a lower car is a big issue at the moment and I am sure I am likely to have flare ups in the future. XC60 sounds good or the Kuga mentioned above. I am not sure how they are for rear room. I would like to future proof the car as my parents will probably be travelling with us a lot more as they get older.

Wildly Boaring

corner back 2 wrote: »

Getting in and out of a lower car is a big issue at the moment and I am sure I am likely to have flare ups in the future. XC60 sounds good or the Kuga mentioned above. I am not sure how they are for rear room. I would like to future proof the car as my parents will probably be travelling with us a lot more as they get older.

The mark 2 Kuga is good for rear space.
I'm 6 3 and have sat behind my 6 foot father in relative comfort.
Dont know about the new model.


Funny enough I got rid of a Kuga as it was hurting my back. I drive pretty hard and a lot of back roads. Was finding the car wallowing over and back meant I had to brace a lot. Was good on n roads and motorway.

ba_barabus

bazz26 wrote: »

There really is no one size fits all car for a bad back.

This is very true from someone with a very bad back.

I see Ford Kugas etc suggested, these cause me great pain and I simply can't tolerate them.

Renaults while soft lack support for me.

A base Avensis will have me in agony however, I do drive a higher spec Avensis and the seats are great.

I would suggest you avoid any cheaper models and brands as the seats are the first thing they make cheap etc. and take everything for a good long test drive.

LurkerNo1

The only thing that worked for me was buying a back support for the car. I worked in car rentals so I've tried an awful lot of cars, I hated BMW and some Fords, I could never get comfortable. I would see reps coming in with these back supports in their cars, only years later I remembered them, at that stage I was in a very bad way and had done many treatments including invasive procedures and surgeries. The only thing that helped me and gave me confidence and consistency was buying one of those car seats I saw the reps using. It's called a Homedics Backfriend. Its permanent in the car now and anyone that uses it for any period of time ends up getting used to it and not liking the normal seating position. It may take a little getting used to as it puts you higher, more upright and tilts your hips into a better position. As said here everyone is different but for less than 100 euro its certainly worth a try. Sorry for your pain, I went through a decade of it. I've taken it on flights too no problem, cannot deal with Ryanair or Aer lingus seats without pain.

Bigus

Swap cars with your wife ?

corner back 2

Bigus wrote: »

Swap cars with your wife ?

Unfortunately bad backs seem to be a big thing in our family so that is not an option. She is currently driving my car and is starting to struggle with it.

Mad_maxx

buy a " backfriend " , sits into a car seat , available on amazon uk for about £90

i second what others have said about low to the ground cars , avoid those , i nearly bought a peugeot 508 a year ago , loved it and good value for a year old but just too low to the ground

vectra

As above, "no one size fits all"

I had to move away from cars as they no longer suited my back issue.

I test drove a Kuga st line powershift for about 30 miles over different roads, when I returned I was buckled, I simply could not straighten myself and was in discomfort for the rest of the day.

Tiguan, Could not get myself comfortable in it, so I decided against that as I had a Passat and after a bit of a journey I would be wishing the trip to end with the pain.

I ended up with the Ateca dsg and touch wood, I have felt no discomfort when driving it. (except for days when my back is actually playing up)

Nickindublin

I have a bad back and my current car doesnt help. I will change in the future when finances allow. Look at the ride quality too. For example BMW are generally harsher than Mercs but handle better. No point having a car with a nice seat and driving position if its bouncing you around. Myseld i will look at a Jaguar XE. The height doesnt bother me too much.

black & white

I have arthritis in most places including spine and found Volvo seats to be far and away the most comfortable and supportive for me. Maybe an older XC60 might be worth looking at ?

opinionated3

Just a quick suggestion that might not cost you too much in the way of money or comfort. My 73 year old mother has a very bad back combined with neck problems (and osteoporosis). In 2017 she purchased a new golf SV which had replaced the previous golf plus. She adores this car and it hasn't given her a moment's problem. She loves the ease of getting in and out and still has a decent, but not excessive ride height over the road. The back seat is reasonably spacious ( it's wider than a regular golf) and the whole back seat can be moved forwards to create an even larger boot ( hence the SV - sportsvan). VW have ceased production of this model in favour of their SUV lines but I'd argue you could easily find a low mileage highline model second hand. Worth a look if comfort is your priority

Pkiernan

I'd recommend something you step up in to.
Land Cruiser type vehicle.

sammye333

have you tried placing a rolled up towel or foam noodle at the base of your back.
By keeping the towel in place, this will help you keep your back straight and engage your core.
A guy i used to work with had back problems and said this used to help him .