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Best Vehicles for Taller Larger Drivers

869 messages,  Last post on May 04, 2013 at 6:33 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Pontiac Bonneville, Lincoln Navigator, Buick Rendezvous, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 87

#1 of 869 Need help finding new wagon that fits! by jhallgren

Dec 02, 1999 (6:45 am)

Just tried a Saturn LW2 for size & it kinda
fits...
Not like the 92 Cavalier I have now but....
That was modified...to move seat back 6 inches..
Any comments on any other posssible solutions?
Asked same in Ford Focus area but just now thought
I should try for a larger audience..
Any help is appreciated!
Since finding a newer (94 was last yr) Cavalier is
like finding the EYE of the needle in the
haystack..

#2 of 869 Audi A4 by wileycat

Dec 02, 1999 (9:00 pm)

Have you tried the Av Avant w/o the sunroof option (which robs headroom)? I'm 6'2" and with the seat back all the way can't even come close to the pedals.

#3 of 869 by dudleyr

Dec 02, 1999 (9:58 pm)

Try the Passat Wagon. It has tons on head and leg room. Similar to the Avant, but bigger.

#4 of 869 by strvt

Dec 03, 1999 (10:31 pm)

I'm not so big (just 6'3" ), but fully understand your problems. I test drove couple of wagons and sedans and my conclusions.
Volvo V40. Nice ride and handling, but too small. Steering wheel is too low.
VW Passat has great headroom (even sedan). It's one in the short list of cars where I can fit with sunroof. But don't try sit at rear, you'll definitely would not fit.
Subaru Legacy L was OK too , but I guess Outback or GT. will be even better (they have height adjustable drivers seat).
Subaru Forester (no actually wagon) was the best one for me. It has great headroom, steering wheel goes pretty high (unusual for foreign car), and it's just comfortable. Still like Legacy more (it look better inside over all).


Just my 2 cents.

#5 of 869 Update on search..and thanks.. by jhallgren

Dec 04, 1999 (5:59 am)

1) Thanks to those who have responded to my post!
2) And an update...Tried the Subaru Legacy & Forester last nite...found the dealership by dumb luck in going elsewhere...Nice folks but TOO small! The Forester had a chance but seems to sit too high for easy entry by some elderly family member passengers. That's one reason a SUV won't work for me.
Also, the Subaru seat mount in right rear of driver's seat is on side of hump so my normal method of moving entire seat back won't work!
All mounts need to be on floor so must double check on Saturn as didn't on first look..

#6 of 869 much head room by alfredb

Dec 08, 1999 (8:26 pm)

I'm long in the back, and sit upright when I drive. I tried a few wagons for head room.
The VW Passat has much more head room then the same body used by the Audi (A4 & A6). The seat is mechanical rather then electric (but still heated, etc) and allows for much more head room.
The volvo v70 is also pretty good. The volvo v40 is not an option (even if you delete the sun roof). Delete the sun roof on any car for an additional inch or so.

#7 of 869 by cermak

Dec 09, 1999 (4:28 am)

My husband is 6'6" tall, making it really easy to narrow down our car choices. We just bought a Saab 9-5 wagon which FITS - much better than our old Honda Accord wagon. The Saab has at least 8" of front-to-back seat movement, up-down adjustment and steering wheel height adjustment which allows BOTH of us to get the right driving position. He says it is THE most comfortable car he has ever driven. He can almost stretch his 36" inseam legs straight out while driving with cruise control. It even has a sunroof which does not compromise on head room. (About 2" to spare on his head room clearance.) It was significantly over our initial budget - but worth it for the comfort, safety, style and sheer driving pleasure.

#8 of 869 AWD for all legs? by tallmanswife

Feb 19, 2000 (7:04 am)

OK, so he's ONLY 6'5", but when he's seated, you'd think he was short. All legs (40" inseam). So... we're looking at everything including minivans, SUVs, sedans. We have an old Subaru GL-10 wagon and his knees are up to his chin (well, it feels like it anyway). Need AWD (snowy, steep hills). Need to be able to seat five comfortably. Prefer a wagon for the cargo options. sigh... is there anything out there? Tried the new Volvo, Outback.

#9 of 869 Wagons for Tall People by suburbank2500

Mar 20, 2000 (3:50 pm)

A tall person has unique needs. But it also depends on where you're height is. It's either
a) Legs
b) Torso
c) Combo of a and c - what people call proportional.


Myself, I'm 6'5", with a 34 in. seam, but I where 36" long sleeves. I've also got a size 17 shoe, which does factor in when I buy a vehicle.


The best vehicle I've found is a Large SUV or a mini-van. My 6'0" wife drives a Suburban, and I drive a Ford Windstar. For Long Trips, like 3K miles, we take the 'burb. Before everyone jumps down about the fuel mileage, we've gotten 20mpg, and that is with 4WD.


The MAIN things about vehicles for tall people is
a) ride comfort, and b) room! If you drive a lot, on the highways,long trips,Please do yourself a favor and spend the $$$ to get a bigger vehicle, one that will fit you comfortably. Take it from me, you're payback will be NOT having a stiff and sore back for the next 2 days after the trip.


The Volvo's have a stiff jiggly ride, quoted from Consumer Reports!. I had an 850; I drove on a 6 hour trip, man was I stiff afterwards.


The '98 Windstar is really okay; But my legs feel cramped, esp. by the dashboard. The one mini-van I had a ton of room, was the Honday Odyseey, the new model, not the old 4 cylinder wanna be.


IF you're stuck on a wagon, honestly try the Mercedes E series. I saw one at our local auto show just recently, and it was okay, BUT! for the money, you can buy an Excursion/Suburban. If you're really concerned about the mileage, go for the Excursion with the Powerstroke Diesel.


Hope this helps.
--regdor

#10 of 869 tall too, with a Sube! by fudd2be

Mar 31, 2000 (7:17 pm)

I must have the perfect proportions - I am 6'6" with a size 15 shoes, 34" inseam, 37" arms. I will admit I am more torso than leg, but I fit like a glove in my '00 OB Wagon, and my wife's '98 Civic. I love both cars and am confortable for 8hr + rides in either (more so in the '00 OB, though)


Howard

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