Recommend me a car where I can sit tall

[Celt]

I drive a nissan juke for this reason it's a bit of a marmite car but I sit tall and comfortable so to be honest I don't care if it looks nice, it feels nice.

 

[kittyP]

My mate had a Fiat Punto (mk2 I think) and that had a surprising amount of headroom. You can pick them up for well under a grand these days.

I think quite a lot of Fiats are more roomy than you would imagine and the seats are at a level where you don't have to really lower yourself down. At least they used to be.
I take it from your OP rather than the title that is more what your looking for? Being able to sit very straight but not having to lower yourself and haul yourself out much?.

My sisters Volkswagen Polo is similar.

My dad has similar-ish problems. He is pretty tall (about 6,4) so is often restricted to cars that the drivers seat is really low to the ground (unless he got a 4x4 or people carrier) but has really bad knees and back so struggles more and more to get back out.
His Vauxhall Omega (I think that's what it is) I really feel like I am falling in to the passenger seat.

I was talking to him the other day and he was talking about getting a 4x4-ish (not a big Range Rover or anthing) car and I was telling him off as the live in SE London but tbh, in terms of a car that is going to last his retirement and suits his and my mums needs, it did kinda make sense.

 

[kittyP]

We've got a CRV which we bought when the mileage was about 70K and is currently pushing 100K, we expect to run it for many years to come.
Hondas are built to last ime, I had a civic that did 200K!

Love my CRV btw, really comfy to drive for both me (5ft) and my bloke (5' 11)

I thought you meant a 2CV for a minute and was thinking that would not be much fun on a fucked back.

kalidarkone I know it is a really long shot with the way things are atm but if you are currently receiving treatment still for your back and rely on your car for work or something important, is it work asking for an occupational therapy referral to see if they can adapt the seat on your current car or assist buying/adapting an appropriate one?
I know it's highly unlikely but "don't ask, don't get" and all that....
It depends on how brave you are feeling I guess.
Even if you're not currently receiving treatment it still might be worth a punt?

I am totally not judging how brave you may be. I would sooo not ask

 

[Hulot]

Might be worth looking at an old Mercedes A-Class. The floor is considerably higher than most small cars, so it's easier to get in and out than cars where the seats are closer to the ground, and the high-roof-line gives plenty of headroom.

 

[BoatieBird]

How did you find the fuel consumption? I really like the CRV, been looking at the diesel ones. Realistically it would be ridiculous for me to have such a huge car.....anyway when I actually know what my budget is I'll look again....prob in a couple of weeks. Still welcome any suggestions and information though.

Fuel consumption isn't too bad if I'm careful. i.e. if I try to keep the revs under 3k and don't accelerate quickly or brake sharply I get an extra day's driving (40 miles) out of a tank of petrol. IMO it's the price we pay for having a car with a bigger engine - we need something capable of transporting a couple of dogs and towing a caravan.
I have a vague recollection of our bro-in-law (a car nut and someone we always phone when buying cars) saying to avoid the diesel version for some reason (sorry, that is bit vague isn't it )

 

[spanglechick]

Hi kali, my dad spent many years in the motor trade so is very picky when it comes to buying cars. My mum's last three cars have all been low mileage Japanese ex-motability from car auctions (always the cheapest way of buying). It is possible to get something genuine privately but it's difficult and ideally you need to know the seller. He won't touch anything French or Italian and considers German overpriced and expensive on parts and servicing. So that basically leaves Japanese and some others to consider which are well built, reliable and good value. He considers anything over 50-60k miles high mileage. But you have to consider he has a motor trade mentality.

I wouldn't consider going for a really high mileage 4x4 cos they can work harder and take more punishment than other cars. He actually uses his off road at times. Apart from a few parts and scrapes, most done by other drivers his is going just like it did when he bought it. It's done nearly 100k miles. He sold Nissan's for a long time and rates X-Trails very highly, he nearly bought one. But bear in mind the bigger the car usually the bigger costs. I wouldn't go for a Range Rover they are so nasty inside and very big and chunky on the outside. Then again, if you can find a car that's clean on the outside it's probably good engine wise. As always whatever you buy make sure it has history, check for signs of damage, different shades of paint on panels and paint on rubbers and seals indicating it's been painted. People selling cars lie. Stay away from anything that is starting to rust. Beware of shiny tyres and shiny steering wheels. Most of the independent dealers clean the hell out of their cars when they put them in auctions, if they look too good they probably are. Shiny steering wheels means lots of miles and use whatever the clock says. Check under any seat covers and the boot under the spare wheel for rust. Stay away from cars making any funny noises. It's a minefield basically. A different tyre on each wheel can sometimes indicate not the best cared for car. There are lots of things you can look for.

I would recommend a T-Cut and gloss polish of whatever you're selling. It will kill your arms but put extra money into your car. Use masking tape and/or newspaper over any mouldings/trims and rubbers once you get polish on these bits it is very difficult to remove. You can use black shoe polish on any rubber bumpers or black plastic trims. If you use 'Back to Black' it's not that great and you probably have to go over and over the same bits. It wears off quickly too. I put new brake pads on mine before I sold it, don't sell someone a potentially dangerous car.

You could try here if it's not too far: http://www.brightwells.com/Vehicles/4x4/Default.aspx

What an incredibly useful post. Sadly the next time I need to buy a car, hopefully not for another few years, I'll have forgotten I ever read it...

 

[kalidarkone]

I thought you meant a 2CV for a minute and was thinking that would not be much fun on a fucked back.

kalidarkone I know it is a really long shot with the way things are atm but if you are currently receiving treatment still for your back and rely on your car for work or something important, is it work asking for an occupational therapy referral to see if they can adapt the seat on your current car or assist buying/adapting an appropriate one?
I know it's highly unlikely but "don't ask, don't get" and all that....
It depends on how brave you are feeling I guess.
Even if you're not currently receiving treatment it still might be worth a punt?

I am totally not judging how brave you may be. I would sooo not ask

Its not that I'm not brave, its just that I work for the NHS!!! So no chance, but yes I will be in touch with physio for advice, so thanks!

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Another vote for the Scenic, was a fantastic car. I've now got a Berlingo which gives even more headroom, but isn't as nice to drive. However you can get better examples for less money, which is why I went for one.

 

[hash tag]

I concur with Dessiato on the SAAB's have for a long time had a reputation for being the most comfortable car on the road. I have driven a few and they were fine but never owned one. I understand they go for very little money these days.

My pa in law with his prolapsed disc has a little support for under bum and behind back which simply slips on to any seat which he seems to think helps.

Old A class's are comfortable enough but are geting old now and could incur expensive repair costs - find a specialist, a Merc dealer will charge the earth.

 

[kalidarkone]

Wondering about the chrysler cruiser, but suspicious as they seem very cheap, even for the diesel versions.........

 

[exiledinwales]

Probably just cheap because they're American. American cars are known for their terrible interiors, very cheap and nasty. I had a look at a Chrysler Neon LX which was fully loaded and actually quite nice but mpg was terrible, 24 or something. Another thing to look out for with yank cars. I'd advise a test drive.

 

[Chz]

I drive a nissan juke for this reason it's a bit of a marmite car but I sit tall and comfortable so to be honest I don't care if it looks nice, it feels nice.

The Juke is a bit new for the OP's price range, but the Note goes back to 2006 and is roughly the same in internal dimensions (if anything, it's bigger due to the flat back). I've seen a few of those under £2k and they're a Which Best Buy.

Lots of headroom, front and back, and good storage space. But it is the same basic platform as the Clio, so you need to be able to deal with the width of a supermini. Makes it easy to park, but three across the back sucks.

PT Cruisers are awful, awful cars.

SAABs go for very little money because the company folded.

 

[hash tag]

SAAB's are good solid cars and spares readily available, im told, by a friend thats just bought one.

 

[Mr Moose]

Can get a lot of motor for £1.5k. I would go quality and slightly older with the best possible adjustable and maybe heated seats rather than something a few years younger but tinpot. Concur on Hondas too.

Don't get a Diesel though. They drive well but they are killing us.