- #9923 of 9978
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Re: Europe vs. Others [markcincinnati]
by shmang
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May 12, 2009 (4:59 pm)
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Replying to: markcincinnati (May 12, 2009 2:49 pm)
By retro, I mean classic. Did I mention heritage in my post. The interior for Audi is very nice - especially the new ones (Those from 2006, 2007 are not that impressive, especially w/o navigation system).
But, that does not mean the interior of Infiniti or Acura is cheesy. They are modern, fashion with distinct style that is targeting younger people, while Audi and MB, BMW are targeting more towards 40+ people (except those low end sporty models - we are talking about luxury performance sedan here).
So, don't get me wrong. I am not saying one is better than the other, it is just targeting different market group.
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- #9924 of 9978
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Headroom issues
by james27
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Jun 04, 2009 (5:54 pm)
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I've searched the specs of most cars in this category, and none of them have much more headroom, if any, than many mid-range cars. The Infiniti M-series has 39.7". The only other one with more (that I've found) is the Genesis, and then only if you can buy it without the sunroof. That also means you don't get many of the neat options. I'm slightly over 38", from seat to top of my head (not counting any hair that sticks up!), The Infiniti was the only car I found when I was looking where I could get comfortable without my head or hair hitting the roof. My last car was an Audi A6 when you could order it without a sunroof. Why do the manufacturers make the sunroof mandatory? It causes close to 3" loss of headroom (on the Audi it was 2.85").
Anyway, the new Mercedes E series states 39.1", which might work. May try one of those, but want to wait for the 4-matic version, if I was to go that way. Anyone know if the diesel version due next year will be offered with 4-matic? Rear-wheel drive up a snowy driveway in NH is no fun, even with snow tires...
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- #9925 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [james27]
by shmang
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Jun 05, 2009 (6:51 am)
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Replying to: james27 (Jun 04, 2009 5:54 pm)
Wow, 38". How tall are you - 6' 6" or more?
Maybe some SUV like QX56, LX470, Q7 will be more comfortable then.
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- #9926 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [shmang]
by james27
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Jun 05, 2009 (2:46 pm)
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Replying to: shmang (Jun 05, 2009 6:51 am)
Only about 6'3", but long torso. Typical SUV just raises the seat...same issues with headroom. Plus, have no need or desire for a gas hog with marginal handling. Now, if the manufacturers would only make their cars available without sunroofs (which I only use to vent for a short while after sitting in the sun all day), the choices would be much better. Cd tends to penalize them for tall cars. If manufacturers weren't so worried about liability, if the gas and brake pedals were closer to the same height, you could sit closer and lean the seat back further. My first new car was a Citroen ID19. Must have had 5" of headroom in that car and it had the most comfortable seat of any car I've owned. All three pedals, gas, brake, clutch were at the same height so you could easily move from one pedal to the other without having to lift, and thus sit further back, or lower to clear the steeringwheel. But, that was nearly 40-years ago...
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- #9927 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [james27]
by james27
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Jun 07, 2009 (12:48 pm)
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Replying to: james27 (Jun 05, 2009 2:46 pm)
Just for info, the new Mercedes E-class as sold in the USA always comes with a sunroof and has 39.1" of headroom. In Europe, you can buy it without the sunroof, and it has 41.25" of headroom in front. Quite a big difference, and more than enough for a whole new group of people to feel comfortable in. For a few years, Audi sold the A6 without a sunroof - it was part of all packages, so if you wanted it with any of the nice extras, you always had to lose the headroom. While we'll probably never see the days of a long list of individual options again, losing this really hurts. It might be easier for the dealers, but for people willing to wait to special order, I don't see the big deal, and a big benefit...you'd end up with a truly individual car that actually met your needs.
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- #9928 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [james27]
by carlupi
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Jun 19, 2009 (1:13 pm)
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Replying to: james27 (Jun 04, 2009 5:54 pm)
As a tall person I have been complaining about the sunroof issue for years only to see this situation become worse as most manufacturers now force the sunroof into the most desired options packages. For a tall person the alternatives are very limited: Buy a well equipped car with a sunroof you don't want and hunch down into the seat; or, buy a plain vanilla car without the sunroof and any of the other options you really wanted.
My proposal to help tall and short people alike: Make sunroofs a separate stand alone option always; and make more cars with optional telescopic steering wheel and adjustable pedals. With these three options people of practically all heights should be able to find a car that fits comfortably.
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- #9929 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [carlupi]
by tonycd
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Jun 19, 2009 (9:11 pm)
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Replying to: carlupi (Jun 19, 2009 1:13 pm)
Carlupi, I couldn't agree more with your sunroof comment. As a guy who wants his next sedan to have the luxuries, I'm very frustrated by this -- and although I'm long-waisted, I'm only 6' 2". This shouldn't happen.
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- #9930 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [carlupi]
by marsha7
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Jun 20, 2009 (11:48 am)
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Replying to: carlupi (Jun 19, 2009 1:13 pm)
Don't forget us not-so-tall people, too...while headroom is rarely an issue for me at 5'3", sitting on top of the steering wheel is...adjustable pedals (in both of my vehicles, 2004 Crown Vic and 2004 Dodge Ram 1500) make each vehicle easy to drive and I don't have to move the seat up so that my chest is on the dashboard...
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- #9931 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [tonycd]
by james27
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Jun 24, 2009 (3:18 pm)
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Replying to: tonycd (Jun 19, 2009 9:11 pm)
Well, Mercedes posted the US configuration for the new E-class, and no joy. It appears that it comes only with a sunroof. But, you get your choice of a 'normal' one or a humungous one. AND, there's bottom of the industry headroom for this class (if their spec is right) at 37.2". Most in this class have around 38" or more. The only one (other than a stripped Genesis, which some would not consider in this group) that I fit in is the M-series. There's no competition. This is sad. The M's steering is fussy and it is noisey. It's an okay car, but not great. After a long drive, the sound level puts you on edge. The A6 is much quieter and tracks like a tank.
Come on, manufacturers...people are getting taller, not shorter.
The problem I think is that Audi, Mercedes, BMW, etc. are marketed here as luxury cars, and they have all agreed that that must contain certain things - a sunroof is one of them. As opposed to their home market where you can buy the car without all of the fancy bits, they don't think it is viable here and would dilute their status in the high end. Nobody wants a basic, stripped car sold here for many thousands less that looks the same from the outside. Those that spent $50-80K would lose 'status' if somebody drove up in the same model that cost $35-40K.
Same herd mentality that makes everyone slow down to gawk at an accident.
Here's hoping that the next round of new models may offer some other choices.
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- #9932 of 9978
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Re: Headroom issues [james27]
by lexusguy
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Jun 24, 2009 (4:10 pm)
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Replying to: james27 (Jun 24, 2009 3:18 pm)
Here's hoping that the next round of new models may offer some other choices.
I wonder if one of those new "tallboy" sedan/wagon things would work for you - the new 5 GT or the Acura ZDX.
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