The best car for people with LITTLE back pain

avantra · 22 November 2006 at 10:58AM

Me and my partner has a some back pain when using our Nissans (Almera and Primera 2001, we have tried all the instruction on how to position yourself when you drive (a web site recomended by Honest John) but still get a bad back after more than 2 hours drive. We have fully adjustable seats (up and down and all the moves) but can't get it to work for our backs.

We are thinking of getting a different set of cars for no more than £4000 each.

I know that a back is a very individual organ but I appreciate that their must be some cars that at list consider to be more comfy than others, we prefer not to go for a large saloon if possible.

fatboyonadiet · 22 November 2006 at 1:05PM

Just a suggestion but some people do say they prefer MPVs or 4X4s for the driving position. Might be worth doing some test drives in different cars.

Also a bit of a luxury but I know someone with heated seats, says he doesn't get as much back pain...

philhuff · 22 November 2006 at 3:23PM

Take a look at an old SAAB 9-3 or even 900 - they're no bigger than the Primera, but do have pretty much the best seats.

Of course, as you point out, these things are always very personal.

You can just scrape into a higher mileage new style 9-3 (post 2002) for about £6k. For £4k you'll need to be looking at around a 2000/2001 model.

The bottom line is to go and drive some cars, but spend at least a couple of hours with each one. Dealers won't like it, but just ask them if they want your money or not...

edda · 22 November 2006 at 3:29PM

It may not work for you - but I use a cushion on the seat (and have been for the last 3 cars I've had).
Cheaper than changing cars, the cushion is to help people with back pain and can be sat on(!) or propped up behind you - depending on the type of seat.
I also take it with me when test driving cars - or if on a long trip in someone else's vehicle.

tankard_2 · 22 November 2006 at 3:31PM

avantra wrote:

...we have tried all the instruction on how to position yourself when you drive (a web site recomended by Honest John) but still get a bad back after more than 2 hours drive. We have fully adjustable seats (up and down and all the moves) but can't get it to work for our backs.

Hello avantra,
I find that these special cushions are a great help to me

And they are much cheaper than a new jamjar.
I use them around the house, and the Mini Pad is esp good in cars.

http://www.postureproducts.com/productsbrief.htm

inmypocketnottheirs · 23 November 2006 at 5:08PM

philhuff wrote:

Take a look at an old SAAB 9-3 or even 900 - they're no bigger than the Primera, but do have pretty much the best seats.

Of course, as you point out, these things are always very personal.

You can just scrape into a higher mileage new style 9-3 (post 2002) for about £6k. For £4k you'll need to be looking at around a 2000/2001 model.

..

I fully recommend Saab's. I have suffered extrensively with very severe backache (including unable to get downstairs for a week) and I attribute this totally to the cr*p seats in A Peugeot 406 I had.

I drive around 40,000 miles p.a. now between a Saab 9-5 and a mercedes E Class. I frequently do round trips to Glasgow, 460+/- miles, and in the Saab, not so much as a twinge. In fact a chiropractor recommended Saab to to me as they have the best seat.

plane_boy2000 · 23 November 2006 at 6:14PM

Try something German. German cars tend to have quite firm seats which in turn are more suportive to your back - I have had 3 Audis and have always found them to be really good seats. WHen I drive anything else I always find that I get some pain now.

avantra · 23 November 2006 at 7:03PM

inmypocketnottheirs wrote:

I fully recommend Saab's.

SAAB? I never had one, The 9-3 nad 9-5 from 8 to 6 years ago are cheap as chips, I am reading in the honestjohn car by car breakdown that there are some expensive problems with these cars.

If I am going to get a good one will I buy into an expensive adventure?

balsingh · 23 November 2006 at 11:00PM

I have always found Saab & BMW seats to be excellent for most drivers. Merc seats tend to be comfy but a fit flat so can be unsupportive.

I got terrible back pain in Astras and Vectras and no matter how I set the seats, it wouldnt improve. Rover 400 and Fiat Brava seats were bad but a cushion helped - just telling you what to avoid

paddytt · 27 March 2007 at 11:07PM

If you wonder why you get back pain in a car, just measure the height of the seat off the floor of the car, then compare it to you kitchen or office chair, and the length of your leg. You will realise that you are actualy sitting no more than 9" off the floor, compared to probably double that normally.

I am currently trying at least ten different vehicles to find a high seating position, the new Mercedes ML is the best so far.

regards

TT

Wee_Bargain_Hunter · 27 March 2007 at 11:46PM

The seats in a scenic are quite high & comfy. Try an older model as they have height adjustable passenger & driver seats. The newer ones only have an adjustable drivers seat.
Also, don't get a leather seat - it's too slippy & your back will be constantly moving as you try to balance yourself. Much better to have the firm grip & support of cloth or suede.
HTH

The best car for people with LITTLE back pain

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