Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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I've never really been able to buy my "dream car" because of the size issue. I've sat in the Prelude, Eclipse, Mitsu 3000GT, Firebird, and Sebring -all too small. Steering wheels tend to touch lap. The only sporty car that was even close was a Camaro - but still slightly too small. The Miata was a joke. I think it would be cramped for just about anyone.
Surprisingly the Grand Am is very good in terms of room - I drive one now.
Anyone know of a car that looks small and sporty on the outside, but deceptively roomy within?
The one intermediate size car that really surprised me was the Olds Intrigue - the seat was really larger and comfortable. I did not care for the styling soo went looking - what I found will make many of you chortle.
I had heard the 2000 LeSabre's were a greatly improved car and they were right. With the power seats, I really could get comfortable. The fresh look and the features - lights under hood and air shocks for hood, very high trunk lid lift position - bloody heads will be a thing of the past, and so on, I decided on this car and ordered one. I wish I had tried the Saab, although dealers are not that easy to find in small cities. I think several of the other Euoropean cars should have been tried as well. I had no doubt the Crown Vistoria and new Impala would work as well.
Magnus
6'6"
I would suggest you go try the car i have now. It is the new passat. It is the best seating position I have ever had in a car. And after 14000 miles, it has been flawless. Not a single problem other than 1 recall for a fuel line filter and the stereo. It is just as tight today as when i got it. a must look at.
Magnus
good luck in your search.
Does anyone know how reliable Oldmobile vehicles are?
Magnus
The 528 is indeed a wonderfu vehicle but, at 6' 3", you should make certain you fit comfortably in the driver's seat. The problem is that the seat is programmed to adjust along a defined arc: As the seat moves up, it will also move forward. You may have trouble finding a good driving position. I've only driven the 528 for a few days at a time, so I don't know what it's like to live with it, but I own a 3-series with the same restrictions on seat movement and, at 6' 1", have found this to be a real problem. The 5 series has a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, which may help, but you still may find the pedals too close for comfort.
I think the 528 has sufficient power with the automatic, and the 5-speed still doesn't turn it into a 540. Others feel the automatic transmission saps too much power. Unlike the new 328, the 528 still uses a 4-speed automatic, but I think the gear ratios are nicely chosen.
I test drove a 528i auto just once (enough punishment for me)and while I loved the way the cockpit wrapped around me and all that all I could wonder were two things:
1. How much more fun would a manual be?
2. How cramped would my legs (34") feel if I had
to change gears on a regular basis?
I guess I should probably just go and test drive the manual and find out. I was also wondering if anyone had driven the 528i Sport. Is there any real difference? I live in an area with long winters (YEP, SNOW!!!!) and sometimes hellish traffic. Is your 3-series a manual, and if so how cramped do your legs feel after time in traffic?
My 3 series is an automatic. I don't think a manual would feel more cramped, though. With an automatic, your left foot sits on the dead pedal, while with a clutch you get a chance to stretch it forward every time you press in the clutch. My last car was a Porsche 944 and my left leg didn't feel cramped until I got the 3-series.
To me, the 528 is much more of a luxury car than the 3: heavier, quieter, not quite as nimble. A manual transmission in the 3 series is a blast, but I think less so in the 5, at least the 528.
The sport package in the 5 stiffens the ride slightly. You get wider tires, so there's also quicker steering response and perhaps a slight decrease in on-center feel.
If long winters are an issue, you might have a look at an Audi A-6 quattro, too.
I also tried the 1999 and 2000 Toyota Camry Solara and could not fit in those.
Other cars I've fit in before include the Mazdas (Protege, 626, and 929) and a 1997 Ford Contour (all without sunroofs). Repairs for the Mazdas are expensive.
Hope this helps. They just don't build cars for tall people.
My results were as follows:
Mercedes - no way! I didn't fit in any of these vehicles. A distressed sales-person had me try them all (including the SUV). The problem is that the steering wheel only telescopes - no tilt, plus little room for the right knee.
BMW - almost bought a 3 series, but had the sense to take one out for an extended test drive first. Although I fit, those bucket seats did not agree with my back. Fashion has its price, but not that one ...
Lexus - almost bought a GS300 following the 3 series episode, but had the same issue as BMW with their bucket seats. Tons of room in the GS300, but I can't live with a seat that gives me no support in my middle back due to a curved piece/shoulder rest that digs into my shoulder blades.
Volvo - the S70 and S80 are OK on leg-room, but again - even the legendary volvo seats had the wrong curve in those buckets.
Toyota Avalon - the most comfortable seats that I have tried - legroom and support for the back. With the bench seat, there's even room for me to have some right knee wiggle - a definite must for long journeys. However, I'm not even 30 yet and just can't picture myself in one long term ...
Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover - being English I was very disappointed to not fit in either of these vehicles. The dealer says that he sells Range Rovers to the local NBA team and that they fit - "but you have to sort of sit side-ways". If I'm spending $35,000+, I'm not going to "sort of sit sideways" ...
Ford Expedition - fit OK. Scared off this vehicle by all the horror stories on reliability. One of my wife's closest friends was almost run over by her Expedition when it rolled down their steep drive towards her as she was unloading groceries while it was in "Park". This and too many other stories kept me away. Nice ride though ...
Chevy Suburban - Again, reliability. I rack up a lot of miles and the vehicle has to be there for me. Consumer Reports rates the Chevy Suburban and all it's brethren (Yukon, Tahoe etc.) as very poor. I only want one payment each month ...
So, after a brief spell of gloominess about possibly having to drive a boring vehicle (for my age - no offense to those with other driving needs), I took a look at the new full size Toyota Tundra. I'll probably be getting one of these in the very near future. Admittedly, not upscale/upmarket like the other vehicles I looked at - but, hey, sometimes you just have to be comfortable.
Pros - legroom, headroom, shoulder room, hip-room. Gutsy V8 engine and smooth transmission that are the twins of those on the Lexus 450/470 equate with the smoothest ride and quietness I have witnessed in any truck based vehicle. Plus, I'd rather be driving a full-size pick-up than a rather dull Avalon!!
Cons - availability (it's new).
If any of you can wait until next year, the new Toyota 4Runner is supposed to be based on the Tundra platform. This should be one heck of a vehicle! There's a little information on it at:
http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/auto2/2HAUSRP.html
All the best to the rest of you with your car searches.
The dealers should have the new brochures now, with the cars to follow in 3 - 5 weeks.
The MB sales person you dealt with must have been REALLY distressed ! The C-class and E-class both have telesoping/tile steering wheels. My E-class has it so I don't know where you got that info. And I know that for 99, the C-class added the tilt feature.
If you are 6'7" I don't know how you can even sit upright in a BMW. I'm only 6'3" and don't have any headroom in any of the BMW's, not even the 7-series!! That's one area where the C and E MB's are better for me. I will admit, on the E-class, that the right kneecap doesn't have a whole lot of room due to the lower part of the dash sloping down on the right side of the steering wheel.
I believe that this warrants a return visit to the Mercedes dealership. If there is a tilt function on the steering wheel, I will be left with a very sour taste in my mouth. I'm pretty fired up about this now ... does anyone else have a bad experience with snooty Mercedes dealers??
With regards to the BMW (these guys were actually very helpful). The only seating option I fit in was the Sport package. The bucket seats are deeper (even if they have the wrong curvature for my back). I was also using the advantage of my long arms and reclining the seat ...
I still haven't actually made a purchase. The Toyota dealers all want to charge MSRP+ for a Tundra. This is pushing me back in the direction of a gas-guzzling behemoth like the Expedition. I also ran into someone who recommended I take a look at the recently remodeled Isuzu Trooper - this is also supposed to be very spacious and deeply discounted currently.
Currently driving 98 Accord Sedan LX V6. Good headroom (no moonroof). Legroom OK, but would like more. Key to headroom is power seat. No comparison to European manufacturer's seats, but cost effective.
Considering a purchase. New Lincoln LS has headroom, but I'm not sure about legroom. May consider a Passat or Avalon. A6 is tight with moonroof. My experience tells me to avoid moonroofs and manual seats. MB seats go way back and may consider a used MB. BWM 7L's are great leg room and good head room. Bonneville and LeSabre are good for tall people that are not hung up on American. I have owned a LeSabre. It was OK. Many US/GM models [Regal, Intrigue, el at] have OK head room, but are iffy on legroom.
Any feedback on Lincoln LS, Avalon, Passat, A6, or used MB's would be appreciated.
Tried the Honda EX 6, and loved the car but was very dissapointed in seat comfort[too short]. Camry XLE6 was pretty good on seat comfort probably owing to the extra seat adjustment options. Haven't driven the entry level Lexus yet, but the Toyota salesman told me it had the same seats as the XLE. Does anyone have another suggestion? I don't want to go much over 30K.
The new Nissan Maxima and Infiniti I30 are longer than previous years by just over 2". They might be worth looking into as well.
The E-class don't have a lot of leg room but they do have decent headroom even with a sunroof. In fact, they are my reference standard for headroom (that and the Honda CRV).
Ciao,
Mat
Haven't tried the Maxima or the Infiniti yet.
I may have to get over my aversion the the looks of the Maxima, as several people have suggested it. Thanks Mat
I'm a newcomer here and I'll just make one comment before you guys laugh me out of the conference-- It may not have the style and prestiege of the other cars mentioned here, but I could wear a ten-gallon-hat inside my Ford Crown Victoria and I'm always comfortable.
Happy driving!
On a side note, even though it's not exactly a "sedan", the VW Golf with its tilt/tele wheel and tons of head room is a very comfortable car for a tall person, at least based on my test drive experience.
I drove over to the local Mercedes Benz dealer and checked out my third choice, the E430. It was close and my head hit the top a bit. When asked, the dealer said I could order one with no sunroof for a $1K deposit - it would arrive in 1-1/2 months. They happened to have a '99 E320 with no sunroof and I fit comfortably. The deal was sealed. My new E430 is due to arrive next week...
Too bad more dealers and manufacturers won't go the extra mile for their customers - the one that does gets my business.
Interesting report. I agree totally with your conclusion regarding customer service. I don't think that it's asking too much to have the dealer and/or manufacturer at least consider our (the customer's) point of view.
I recently sold my Maxima (privately) and the young man that bought it told me several horror stories about the various dealerships that he had visited to look at other Maxima's. Typically he was told on the phone that they had such and such options, however, when he got there they did not. At one dealership, he made an appointment to check on one car and when he got there it wouldn't start, and once they jumped it to get it running, it didn't run right, it was very rough. This from a car that was in "mint condition" and ready to go. I guess it's just too much trouble for the salespeople to get off their duff's and grab a key to make sure that things are in order before the customer gets there. Oh well. It sure made it much easier to sell my car so I guess I shouldn't complain to much.
Again, moonroof is an issue for those in my range (6'8"), but if you'll wait 3-6 mos. they can get one. This seems like a long time. I'm considering...
Others:
MB E-series ok w/o moonroof
Maxima - steering wheel to low. headroom great
Infiniti I30 - a bit better than Max due to wheel
Avalon 2000 - less leg room than '99
Be careful with new specs in Edmunds, they had Avalon and Maxima leg room wrong last time I looked.
The Ford ZTS has a height adjusting seat and advertises that it can comfortably sit a 6'3" person.