Comfortable car for those of us with bad backs

[meep]

i forgot about mitsubishi. i had a rental back around 01--- it was their midsize sedan... spent a lot of time in it. that seat was soft, yet supportive, nicely bolstered for side support, and fit me like a glove.

so I'll say volvo came first, then mitsu, in my book.

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
I've got two herniated disks in my back (one in lumbar and one in neck). I love my old Jag XJS but it is LOW to get in and out of. If my back keeps on being as bad as it is or gets worse I make have to look at getting something else.

What would be a good choice for someone with a bad back/mobility problem? General type of car? Thinking of a 'regular' sedan (ie not sporty and low like I generally like) or a small suv. My wife has an Acura MDX and it's pretty comfortable; wouldn't want anything taller.

Specific suggestions new and used are welcome too.

TIA,
Tony


How much is your budget?

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan


How much is your budget?


That's a good question. If I stayed on the Dave Ramsey plan (which I should) then it would be what I could get for my 1994 Jag XJS plus maybe a couple of grand. If I didn't then I could afford (use the 'broke people' definition) just about anything. For reference, the last new car I got was a brand new 2010 Lexus IS350C. I think I'd probably go somewhere in the middle and say $20K plus or minus a few.

 

[Chris142]

My back gives me problems if I drive a Honda or Toyota. The best seats for my condition are from Chrysler Sebrings and Jeeps. I can drive my Jeep all day w/o pain.

Put me in a Honda and I can't make it around the block.

Ford Ranger seats are junk too.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I don't necessarily have a bad back, but I have gotten tired of falling into and climbing out of sedans and coupes. Even my former Camry was too low for my liking. My CR-V is perfect: you open the door and slide right across into the seat. Our MDX is just a slight "step up" into the seat, but it's still mostly at bum level.

I think the most comfortable seat I've ever sat in is either the front seat of my old '97 Cadillac or the front seat of my parents' 2012 Jeep Wrangler. Although the Wrangler seats have Katzkin leather covers on them, so it would stand to reason that they'd be plusher than usual. I didn't care for either of my Toyota seats ('07 Corolla, '11 Camry) because the seat bottom, the cushion, was very short and offered little thigh support.

For overall comfort (and for other reasons), I've gotten to preferring SUVs. They're not too short and not too tall, and seem to do everything well that I want a vehicle to do.

 

[ron917]

Originally Posted By: meep


the *best* seat I ever rode in that I can recall was a volvo s60. I could have slept it in. It put the la-z-boy in my den to shame. and you could sit in it forever, and it just kept you where you need to be.

it does require, however, that a volvo is wrapped around it.



I agree that Volvo seats are the best in my experience. Even my old Volvo 240 seats with 250K miles on them were better than a 2 year old Mercedes-Benz.

I disagree that having Volvo seats requires that they be wrapped in a Volvo. In some cases, it is remarkably easy to swap seats from one car to another. The front passenger seat from a wrecked Volvo 240 only required flipping some brackets 180 degrees to bolt to the the rails in a 1999 Subaru Outback. We never got around to fitting the driver's seat, but a couple of hours fabrication work would have made it fit (height adjusters were the big problem).

There are aftermarket seats like Recaro that can be fit into just about any car. They are not cheap, but still cheaper than buying a new car only for better seats.

Swapping seats in modern cars is complicated by SRS airbags in the seats. That can add expense or make it unwise/unsafe to do a swap.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: ron917
Originally Posted By: meep


the *best* seat I ever rode in that I can recall was a volvo s60. I could have slept it in. It put the la-z-boy in my den to shame. and you could sit in it forever, and it just kept you where you need to be.

it does require, however, that a volvo is wrapped around it.



I agree that Volvo seats are the best in my experience. Even my old Volvo 240 seats with 250K miles on them were better than a 2 year old Mercedes-Benz.

I disagree that having Volvo seats requires that they be wrapped in a Volvo. In some cases, it is remarkably easy to swap seats from one car to another. The front passenger seat from a wrecked Volvo 240 only required flipping some brackets 180 degrees to bolt to the the rails in a 1999 Subaru Outback. We never got around to fitting the driver's seat, but a couple of hours fabrication work would have made it fit (height adjusters were the big problem).

There are aftermarket seats like Recaro that can be fit into just about any car. They are not cheap, but still cheaper than buying a new car only for better seats.

Swapping seats in modern cars is complicated by SRS airbags in the seats. That can add expense or make it unwise/unsafe to do a swap.

Sometimes one model of car will have multiple seat designs. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution often had an optional seat found in no other model, but it works perfectly in other Mitsubishi models.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Drove the old XJS over the weekend and it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. However, the wife still doesn't want me driving it in case I can't get out while I'm out and about.

Does anything fit the bill that actually gets good gas mileage?

 

[Raybo]

Crown Vic!

Its like a living room on wheels!

 

[edwardh1]

what is a w210

 

[LAGA]

I have severe DDD in all 5 lumbar disks. I was forced to retire at 55 last year because of it. The only vehicle I can drive for more than an hour is my 07 Silverado with bucket seats. My MIL has a Crown Vic and that car kills me to drive. Another car that is easy on my back is a 05 Mustang GT, however, it can be a real pain to get in and out of.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
what is a w210

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W210

 

[Cujet]

I've got to say My 09 Ford F150 Lariat has some really comfortable seats.

I'm very picky about seats and I've not found any that are more comfy.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
I've got to say My 09 Ford F150 Lariat has some really comfortable seats.

I'm very picky about seats and I've not found any that are more comfy.


This is truth.. test drove a couple last year When we went car shopping. If you want a f150 is a whole different question.

 

[cadfaeltex]

If we were going to get a camping fifth wheel the Ford was what I was leaning toward. Gotta see what kind of job I'm going to get when I get out before I make that investment though.

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
The problem with discussions of car seats is that everyone is different and their preference varies

Could not agree more.
I have a bad back and drive a Town Car for living. No complaints.
The very best overall experience for me is with Lexus LX. After 600 miles per day you want to drive more.
Optional DriveDynamic or whatever they may be called seats on Mercedes cars are exceptional. Not extremely expensive option, btw. Some Volvo models have great seats.

 

[The_Jeff]

I had a 97 grand marquis and didn't like the bench seat at all. It had no bolstering and I had to tighten my gluteal muscles to brace myself going around corners.

I liked how the car drove and how it carved into rotaries, so I was always flying around them, and holding onto the steering wheel.

I test drove a 98 town car with leather; better. Sat in a CVPI; seat was firm, didn't sit long enough or drive it to judge on that. Maybe a Marauder might be nice with more bolstering.

Saw you asking about W123s in another thread; I had one, it was quite nice for sitting.

 

[mcrn]

I just bought a Nissan Rogue and i think the seats are very firm and supportive. I have a bad back and see a chiropractor...have you ever seen a good chiropractor? Anyways I agree the Volvo and Saab seats are about as good as your going to get. I just sold my Yukon. I loved those seats as well! BMW sport seats are so adjustable that I think anybody should be able to find a comfortably spot! However with that said it is a very individual thing...like was mentioned!

 

[cadfaeltex]

Looks like this may be getting closer to reality. The XJS seats are actually great (some of the best I've seen) but it is low!