Advice on best car for back issue

LimerickGray · 14-09-2022 9:00pm #1

Hey

ive been off the road for a few months having had multiple spine surgeries

im medically good to drive

i’m 6’3 and normal weight and mid 40s age. Wife and teen too.

I need to get a car that will be good for my height, easy in/out for back, roomy for back and high windshield for my neck.

ive €30k cash for this

ive been thinking of BMW X3 as it’s tall but windscreen is not big.

last car was common low hatchback and feels like a f1 car now to get in.

lots of upright entry cars in SUV but not good for tall.

Thanks for your help and don’t feel obliged to reply. I’m sure this must be a pretty common issue though

bazz26 · 14-09-2022 11:33pm

Volvos generally are very comfortable cars, the xc60 is within your budget:

https://www.carsireland.ie/3161972

https://www.carsireland.ie/3044971

chicorytip · 15-09-2022 1:12am

https://www.parkers.co.uk/renault/kadjar/review/

Noted for it's comfortable and supportive front seats. The other bits are pretty average.

fits · 15-09-2022 6:55am

Our ID.3 has very nice supportive seats and easy to get in and out of. I changed from a Mercedes’ c200 and the vw is vastly better for my back. I’d also look at Volvos.

LimerickGray · 15-09-2022 3:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119619969#Comment_119619969

Yes I was thinking Volvo too. I’ve sat into a few supposed SUV lately and most are nothing more than a regular car inside despite the exterior size.

thanks

bazz26 · 15-09-2022 5:17pm

Most of them are based on mid saloons or hatchback but with an elevated driving position. You might have more headroom in the likes of a BMW X5, Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90 but they tend to be more expensive to buy unless you go back the years.

R.O.R · 16-09-2022 2:05pm

Just double check the XC60's do have Lumbar Support.

There was a brief period where they weren't fitting the old manual lumbar, but didn't have the parts available for the new electric lumbar. I think it was before 2017, but we did have to get a seat swapped (with manual Lumbar) in to a new XC60 as it arrived without and the driver had had a couple of different spinal surgeries in the past, so needed the Lumbar.

PatrickDoherty · 18-09-2022 11:58pm

Some VW passats and Tiguans come with back massage plus general heated seat options if thats up your street.

LimerickGray · 19-09-2022 10:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119635903#Comment_119635903

its more the height that I need. Been looking a King Charles all week on TV and Im so jealous that he can get in and out of his Jag without even bending lol

kirving · 21-09-2022 5:34pm

Not a fan of BMW Seats in general, my 330e seats are heated, electric, memory, pneumatic side bolsters - but missing lumbar support for some odd reason so they're let down at the last hurdle. Manual BMW seats of the last 5 years are woeful IMO and I avoided all cars with them for my 2hr motorway commute.

Volvo tend to have a nice type of lumbar support which strings a cable back and forth across the seat, and it's tensioned on a pulley, so it can be infinitely adjusted, whereas some are kind of just a bar which can be moved.

LimerickGray · 22-09-2022 11:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119647309#Comment_119647309

It’s height more than support. My main issue is going to be neck stiffness but I am tall too.

multiple neck and multiple lumbar discs removed. Aggggh

chicorytip · 23-09-2022 1:09am

161KE3878 - 2016 Volvo XC60 D3 150hp FWD ES: https://youtu.be/2P3JAvwQvhE

NSAman · 23-09-2022 1:32am

I know you said the budget was 30k but Range Rover have the best seats for back issues…. I know.

not sure about second hand reliability though..😀

perhaps look at the cheaper models see if the seats are suitable. SUVs are the only vehicles I can now comfortably get into, I get the pain you feel getting and to an ordinary car now.

masterboy123 · 23-09-2022 8:01am

Volvo XC60 Inscription models and 2018 and onwards.

markest · 23-09-2022 8:18am

L4/5 & C5 removed, cage in neck. 6'1"

Just drove wife's Kadjar to Midlands in UK & back via Holyhead. Was really comfortable. Just left leg has little room to move around due to large centre console.

LimerickGray · 23-09-2022 8:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119653529#Comment_119653529

L3 l4 l5 s1. C4c5. Metal everywhere lol. Cars perhaps not my priority but thinking about future. Too much time on my hands now too.

SmithySeller · 30-09-2022 9:31am

Most BMWs dont come with Lumbar Support as standard kit (afaik) and the X3 definitely does not come standard. I had a 5008 GT-Line, fantastic seats, never gave me a problem. I then moved to an X5 with no lumbar support and generally terrible seats for my needs, I get Sciatica every time I drive the damm thing, so much so Im sure I'll be getting rid of it. Like that, L5S1 issues 🙄

zg3409 · 30-09-2022 11:21am

I found automatic and adaptive cruise control very good to reduce lower back pain. Less movement of legs and less stressful driving Heated seats help too.

I find electrically adjustable seats in many positions helps too. I adjust seat week to week particularly tilting seat slightly differently.

SUV styling can help if taller and seats tend to be higher above pedals.

No specific recommendations. In work try to get height adjustable desk or at least position monitor etc to eye height.

redlough · 04-10-2022 10:23am

You need cruise control, adaptive cruise control if possible. Automatic and height.

Very few SUV's around, most are crossovers. I had a Qashqai for a number of years and it killed my back. The Kadjar etc are just rebadged versions.

Currently have X5 and its the most comfortable and suits my back issues, but I would put the Q7 into that bracket. The X3 was going to be my suggestion because you don't need the size of X5 but not sure about windscreen.

Audi Q5 might be a good choice?

Go full leather as well. To be honest if you have back issues I would stick to the premium brands. Even a VW compared to a Audi I find it a step down in terms of seat quality.

Please note, lots of people have different problems so it depends on your issue in terms of what car is best. Why not talk to a specialist in the area? you will find people on boards are recommending cars they have, all trying to help, but in reality what suits me might end up killing your back and to replace costing you thousands

LimerickGray · 05-10-2022 11:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119698871#Comment_119698871

Thank you so much.

Advice on best car for back issue

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