A car that sits tall, looking for a new DD

So it looks lime my Legacy GT is going to be sold in the next couple of weeks. I am really going to miss it but my back issues are making it so that driving is physically painful.

I am 6ft tall and need headroom, but I don't want to go the full size suv or truck route. My main thing is that I have a 40 mile each way commute.

I prefer a manual transmission, and I have to have a driver's seat that does not sit like my legacy did. I don't think i can get away with another car or wagon.

My budget is 10K and under so I my list so far is:

Subaru Forester Honda CRV Toyota Rav4

Is there anything else I should be looking at? Currently in Phoenix, AZ

Look at larger cars like the Crown Vic. It might not come with a manual, but the seating position is much more comfy. I can't drive the Miata 5-days a week because of the low seats and hard entrance/exits.

Maybe Lincoln LS V6/5-Speed? Caddy CTS-V (the early LS6/LS2/T56 cars)? Pontiac GTO (sits higher/better than a Legacy, almost as high as a Forester but roomier).

Go to a car lot and sit in everything.

Scion XB's have fairly upright seating and good head room.

My Mazda(speed)3 had great headroom, even with a helmet on. I'm 6'3"

I've noticed that compared to my dads 95 BMW 525, every new car seems really farking tall.

On the Mazda3, if I were to have it I wouldn't be able to have a sunroof. I've autocrossed one and had to adjust the seat to where it was uncomfortable so that my head didn't hit, and I'm only 5'10''

The Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins have upright seating and lots of headroom if you stay away from a sunroof/moonroof. If you look hard enough, you can find with 6 speed/ h.o. motor. If you can find one under 10k, Mini's are supposed to have great headroom for folks in the 6 ft+ crowd. The next three might be a little harder to find a manual in but worth looking for: PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR and Honda Element.

Honda Element is an awesome car if you can live with the styling and stuff. I don't personally like the seats, but it is a very versatile car.

Thank you so far for the suggestions, a few I have alredy taken off the list because of various reasons.

Basically the Doctor said I need to have my right thigh be a parallel to the ground as possible, and I have the have the back of the seat at no more than a 5 degree layout, this takes most sedans off the list.

I have already marked a few off the list, Crown Vic- I just have never liked those CTSV or the GTO have not gotten below my 10K limit Mazdaspeed 3, I like but my right leg hits the plastic when I am driving, we test drove a bunch when she was car shopping Matrix/Vibe- I might go look at a matrix, don't like the looks of the vibe too much. PT Cruiser/HHR off the list- both are ugly enough for both me and my wife not to like them. Element might be worth looking at, do they have a manual option?

Oh, the mini is a good one, but trying not to buy another car that wants Premium fuel, even the base ones want it I believe. Plus the suspension is a bit harsh for a guy with back issues.

InigoMontoya wrote: Basically the Doctor said I need to have my right thigh be a parallel to the ground as possible Element might be worth looking at, do they have a manual option?

Yes, it does have a manual option--although probably hard to find. It seems like this would be an excellent choice then, on the parallel thing. It bothers me because the seat bottom cuts out about halfway through on your thigh, though.

Elements are available with a manual but might take a little searching to find one..

Volvox have the absolute best, orthopedic designed seats around. As much as I love my BMW the seat and driving position are no match for the Wife's Volvo XC90. While that's out of your budget and style their sedans and wagons have great seats also - we had a V70 and the inlaws had both an 850 and an XC70. I'd look for a Volvo XC70. Good room (I'm 6'2" with more of me height in the torso and fit great) great seats, good h-point for easier entry/exit. The low pressure turbo gives good performance. They're generally reliable and very comfy with plenty of lux options like auto climate control. Heated seats will help the back also.

Might want to look at the CTS-V and GTO again, there plenty below $10K up here

Don't forget the Lincoln LS though. It's a Jag underneath and very understated and classy on top. Come to think of it, look at some Jag's.

I have gone driving in a v70 before, it is like they found a way to put a recliner in a car, I only remember the wagon being kind of low to the floor, and I did find an xc90, but yeah, it was about 5K too high, looked at Touaegs in the same price range as well.

CTS-V and GTO might be a bit polarizing around the house, wife got a Fit for her last car so I am not trying to go too sport here for now. I figure my budget is low enough that the car will be paid for by the end of the year, then the savings for the turbo kit for the miata start.

2004 Forrester XT(?) The 2.5 turbo one. Every suspension bit from the STi bolts on. DOOooooEIIIIIItttt.

You might also want to consider getting a car that is almost right and putting a very good aftermarket seat in it. Recaro for example makes orthopaedic seats IIRC - they're not cheap but an uncle of mine who had back problems got himself one and every time he changed cars, the seat went with him.

Honda Fit would definitely be comfortable, not sure if the prices are below $10k yet, but the 40mpg can offset a significant portion of the price too.

InigoMontoya wrote: I have gone driving in a v70 before, it is like they found a way to put a recliner in a car, I only remember the wagon being kind of low to the floor, and I did find an xc90, but yeah, it was about 5K too high, looked at Touaegs in the same price range as well. CTS-V and GTO might be a bit polarizing around the house, wife got a Fit for her last car so I am not trying to go too sport here for now. I figure my budget is low enough that the car will be paid for by the end of the year, then the savings for the turbo kit for the miata start.

Yeah, the V70 is pretty low. That's why I suggested the XC70, just a V70 with tough guy plastic trim and about a 6" suspension lift. Makes all the difference in getting in and out. The XC90 is the full-on SUV and is still pretty pricey. You ought to have no problem finding a very good condition XC70 under your budget. No manual though.

I'll second the vote for a Scion Xb. My wife has a 1st generation version. We also have a CooperS and a Miata. For longer distances we always take the Xb. I'm 5' 11" with a bad back,a long torso and still have 6" or more of headroom. The seating position is very upright and doesn't bother my back. It'll get 32 mpg at highway speeds of 75-80 mph. I absolutely love this thing for it's combination of economy, comfort and the intangible "goofy" looks factor. A manual transmission version would be well within your budget. I know what I'd do !!

A non "V" CTS can be had with lower miles and a manual trans.

P71 wrote: Might want to look at the CTS-V and GTO again, there plenty below $10K up here

I believe the GTO's are below 10k...but CTS-V's?

Really? With the drivetrain still in 'em?

If so....you have me thinking.

njansenv wrote:

P71 wrote: Might want to look at the CTS-V and GTO again, there plenty below $10K up here

I believe the GTO's are below 10k...but CTS-V's? Really? With the drivetrain still in 'em? If so....you have me thinking.

Yeah, you find me a decent CTS-V sub $10k and I am making a road trip. Please find me one!

Ingo, you have mail.

The Ford 500/Taurus and the wagon equilivents all sit really high. The Focus does as well for small car.

"Command Seating," they call it, IIRC.

It seems like an aftermarket seat in the Legacy might solve your problem.