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Sedans Best Vehicles for Taller/Larger Drivers
791 messages, Last post on Aug 11, 2009 at 7:57 AM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
Read the Top 10 Vehicles For Taller Drivers article and tell us what you think!
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Replying to: pat (Jul 04, 2008 8:48 am) 
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Replying to: thinkpink (Apr 11, 2008 10:32 pm) |
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I am 6'2" and 360 ... not small, but not overly fat, I guess. I am looking for something right now, and going from car lot to car lot is about my only option right now. Anyone have any suggestions on sedans from 2006-2008, preferably ones that rate well used?
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Dec 30, 2008 1:54 pm) |
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Replying to: jnorman76 (Dec 30, 2008 1:54 pm) Roland |
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First, Thanks for all the posts. I am a 6'3", 350lb guy looking for a vehicle for me and three kids. As a single dad it has to do it all. I see alot of the posts are focused on cars and refer to the poor mileage of trucks and SUVs. I agree, trucks and SUVs compared to cars generally get poor mileage. However, before you write off that used SUV so you can squeeze into that new ultra high mileage car, here are some things to remember; Make sure you look at the total cost of operating the vehicle including the initial purchase price and the ongoing gas and maintenance expense. Be honest wih yourself about how long you will keep the vehicle, and you migh find out that that extra 10 to 15 miles per gallon savings doesn't pay the premium being charged for reliable high mileage vehicles. As for me, right now I drive a 94 Toyota Landcruiser with 230,000 miles. Still runs great, but I will be updating it soon. I will most likely get either a Sequoia or 100 series Land Cruiser (1998 - 2007). Both these vehicles are full size SUV's with V-8's so they drink gas, however, since they don't have a lot of changes throught the model year, you can get an early model in great shape for very reasonable prices. They have room, style, and are very reliable. The GM full size SUV's are good too and cheaper, but I don't the "mushy" way they drive. Safety. As us big guys squeeze into smaller vehicles, we should be concerned about survivability. I know we have airbags and the sort to save us, but some times there is no substitute for more space and metal around you. Finanly, the "green" factor. Well I am an environmental engineer, so I know a little bit about the subject. First I will say that the larger Trucks and SUV's do have higher emmissions, so if this is a concern (and I agree it should be), then my logic potentially fails here. However, think about the emmissions you save by extending the life of a used vehicle (if it were a beer can we would call it recycling) and if you look at the fact that with our bigger cars we have a greater opportunity to car pool with more passengers, then the SUV's may not be the biggest problem. Also note that despite the current propaganda, emmisions from well maintained suv's driven by large and tall drivers is the least of our concerns. The emmisions form industrial and commercial activities has a far greater impact, but it is easier to shame us into smaller vehicles than it is to ask big business to give up just a little profit for better emmisions. Hope this helps.
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Replying to: billnett (Feb 04, 2009 7:29 am) We used to get the same in our Honda Pilot, too. But you probably wouldn't care for it if you are used to a more luxurious type of vehicle. Plus, the Honda resale value makes it less of a good buy on the used side. In other words, I won't tell you that you don't need an SUV, but I must question all those who feel they must have one that gets 15 mpg. (Again, unless towing heavy equipment, which is a VERY small percentage of those who own them)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 04, 2009 7:55 am) Of course, the XC90 would be preferable if it fit the bill and there were no need to do the intellectual backflips to justify driving a 5000+ lb. vehicle. But there are individuals like myself who are, for instance, 6'5" & 375#, drive a 2005 Sequoia and lament the 15mpg EVERY TIME I fill the tank. Gas prices then were almost exactly what they are now (about $1.89) and, even though I did forsee a rise in prices (although not to $4.50!), I too gauged that cost as against the premium that I would have had to pay for an RX400h (the only viable alternative at the time). In my case, though, the RX just just fit. Were I making the purchase today, I would investigate a Highlander hybrid and see if a custom shop could move the drivers seat. The Sequoia, strangly given its size, drives very nearly like a full sized sedan. It's quite amazing. Additionally, there have been MANY times over the past 4 years that we've loaded it up with 7 people (we have the second row captains chairs) and have thus foregone the need for a second vehicle. So, while this is by no means the norm, it does offer some mental peace of mind. Regarding the earlier comment about recycling/replacement, althought we intended all along to keep this vehicle for a minimum of 10 yrs, current conditions may well lengthen that considerably. That, of course has little or nothing to do with its mpg but is just an added kudos to the Sequoia. In the end, we (she-who-must-be-obeyed is the Sequoia's primary driver) are ecstatic with the choice and are so so thankful that we didn't choose the Escalade p.o.s. that was choice #2. The only major caveat that we both agree on is the third row not folding into the floor, which I understand has been corrected in the Sequoia's current itteration.
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Replying to: mark1 (Feb 04, 2009 9:42 am) Of course. And, at 6'5", it is a concern of mine, too. I do, however, only come in at 200 lbs. My only point was that a V8 is unnecessary for most. The XC90 seats 7, as does the Pilot. And both easily accomodate my height. But, then again, height isn't really the issue, is it? I also fit fine in my G35, as I did in my 350Z. The problem with those would only be for wider folks. In any case, the XC90 and Pilot shouldn't present a problem for wider folks, either.
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Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 04, 2009 11:06 am) After a lot of looking I chose a Chevrolet Avalanche. I tried an Escalade but the sunroof was too tight for me. I am concerned about some of the comments I read in this blog as I see than many people want to modify their car seat mounting brackets or position. This will change the geometry of all the airbags and the seatbelts. Be very careful with this one as you may be killed by it in an accident. I agree that the manufacturers are not doing enough for us in this regard. I am sure that they do not test their vehicles with "people who enjoy good food" or those of superior stature. More is the pity. If I want to buy a North American made vehicle I guess I need to stay with trucks and large SUV's.
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