I have sufferd from back pain for many years, not helped by being 6' 2" tall. I currently have a Nissan Primera 1997 GX with 106k on the clock and am looking to replace it because the gearbox is getting clunky and gas struts have lost their push. However the drivers seat is good for me. I looked at new cars for over a year. I want something with good reliability but the seating is most important. I tried a Mazda 6 in 2004 but found the ride and seating much too hard. Similarly the new Primera was uncomfortable. This year I test drove a VW Touran, Passat and Skoda Octavia (latest model). The Passat gave me back ache in 30 minutes but the Skoda seemed very good so I bought it. Big mistake and expensive! In 4 days my back hurt so much I was unable to work. I fact I had 6 days off work in 2 weeks and my back has still not recovered after 3 months. I consulted a physiotherapist who specialised in ergonomics and he told me that I could never be comfotable in the Skoda because the seat was wrong for me, especially it was too narrow (10 cm narrower than most). I had to take it back, retrieve my Primera and suffer the loss. Any suggestions on what to try next?
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Volvo and SAAB considered to have the best seats.
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If you suffer that much, get a seat made. Recaro?
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I did consider this but will they fit in all cars?. The design of the Skoda was such that you could not get a wider seat in. I tried to get in touch with Recaro by e mail to get to sit in their seats but got no reply. I will have to try again
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Not much help, but I know that somewhere on the web there is a UK site that has ergonomic assessments of car seats and seat/pedal relationships. Trouble is, I can't find it for you. I'm sure it has been mentioned in this forum, however.
And yes, Saab seats are absolutely superb (or at least, IMHO, those on the old model 9-3 and the 9-5. New 9-3 not so good).
Best of luck
Davros
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Re "UK site that has ergonomic assessments of car seats" This www.car-seat-data.co.uk/ seems to be the one.
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C5! Ginormous wide comfy (yet firm) seats with acres of legroom. I'm 6' and it's by far the most comfortable seating I've ever had. The only minor criticism is that they are a little too flat at the edges - a little more shaping would hold you in place better when cornering enthusiastically. Bear in mind of course that C5s don't roll to any appreciable extent (eerie until you get used to it) - so it's not a big issue.
Graeme
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I'm 6ft 3 and have suffered with back pain - its runs in my family due to a narrow spine.
I find anything with hard seats unbearable - I have both driven and ridden in an Octavia and I know couldn't live with one and it seems any Vauxhall made in the last 10 years has had all give removed from the seats.
The most comfortable car I've had was a Citroen C5 which was excellent and I could drive it for at least 4hrs without any pain or stiffness. The Mk3 Mondeo I have now is very good too - lots of adjustment on the seat, not too firm but there is a great deal more side support than in the C5.
I've never had problems to the extent you describe although I got numb legs after 2hrs in my old Focus. If you're problem is so bad I would suggest hiring a few cars and giving them a long run. Might cost a few hundred up front but it will be far cheaper than keep swapping cars.
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I'm 6ft 5. When I got my Focus, the first long run on it I got a horrible pain to the right of my spine. It was pretty painful so just on a whim, I twiddled that lumbar support thingy and made the back of the seat as hard as possible.
It's great now. Can spend many an hour in the car and feel surprisingly comfy.
Of course, the Merc E class made my seats look like a cardboard box.
--
Adam
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