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Help finding vehicle for my sciatica

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whereami

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a bad case of sciatica with pain down my leg, so naturally I’ve come to TCL. I have a 2018 Subaru Outback and the doctor tells me I need a car with a better seat to alleviate the pain (in addition to exercises and other life changes). The problem with the seat is that when I sit, my hips are lower than my knees. I’m 6’ 2” so can’t raise the seat all the way without my head going through the sunroof. So time to find a different vehicle. It seems like a full size pickup or SUV like a Tahoe or Lexus GX460 would have the most chair like seating so my knees are level with or below my hips. What do you all think? What should I begin looking at? Minivans are out, so let’s not go there.

I’d like to stay under $60k and prefer new or nearly new. Don’t care about gas mileage too much. Mostly do city driving with occasional long road trips. Any suggestions for a vehicle with a comfortable, chair-like seat?
 
#2 ·
Volkswagen Atlas? It has lots of headroom and legroom. The seats are almost chair height. Delete the sunroof, and you gain another inch or two of headroom.

:beer:
 
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#3 ·
Whenever anyone wants a decent-sized, upright vehicle and it fits in their budget, my recommendation is usually Cayenne. It's not stellar in anything in particular, but it's just a very good all around vehicle. I think $60k should be enough for a pretty choice CPO.

Anecdotal and YMMV, but for years I've had come and go problems with an L5-S1 herniation--lots of sciatica in there--and while admittedly our other cars are small and low and sporty, if my back hurts my first choice is always the Cayenne. Lots of support, upright in the regards to the knees, and more adjustments than I know what to do with.

edit: Actually the seat is so comfortable I once accidentally took a nap while parked waiting for Ms. ghost to finish up at the dentist. :laugh:
 
#6 ·
As someone who suffered from a lot of joint pain after years of abuse from work and sports, I’d recommend the following:

#1) adjust your diet to reduce inflammatory foods (look up AIP diet)
#2) enroll in a good Iyengar yoga class
#3) go for a one hour walk every day if you can
#4) get a vehicle with an electric seat you can make regular small tweaks to position

Good luck! :beer:
 
#12 ·
I would definitely at least try the 30-way seats in the Continental (probably can find a pretty cheap used one). You can adjust all the bolsters, it has adjustable thigh support (separate sides for each thigh!), etc etc. I can't tell from the video how high the rear part can be raised in relation to the front, but it might be worth a look.


The Navigator and Aviator have them, too, and probably a lower floor/higher seating position.

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Discussion starter · #13 ·
Lots of great suggestions here. I never would have thought of the Cayenne. I’ll have to check it out. And Volvo’s are a great option. The Lincoln seats are crazy. Also good to know I’m not alone on the pain thing. Sounds like some of y’all have been dealing with your own crap. And good health tips with the anti-inflammatory diet and yoga.
 
#14 ·
whereami said:
I never would have thought of the Cayenne. I’ll have to check it out.
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Definitely worth a look; even if you hate it, at least you still got to visit a Porsche dealership. But yeah a lot of people don't think about it, previously including me. For the longest time I always thought it was just a Porsche for people that just wanted to say they had one, barely worth a second glance. Through a strange turn of events involving dieselgate I ended up owning one, and it's done nothing but surprise me with how it's so comfortable, decent to drive, and never really out of it's element. When it's time to move on I fully plan to replace it with another. :beer:
 
#17 ·
Wimbledon said:
Sit in all the different Volvo models and see if one has the right shape. Volvo still makes some of the most comfortable seats in the business. Maybe a Volvo SUV is the answer.
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This needs to be quoted. An XC60 or 90 would fit the bill.

I was shopping for a GX recently until some work changes delayed my search, and being BoF, it's not as armchair comfy as you'd think. It's comfortable, but not like an XC.

A wildcard is the Pacifica. I know, I know, but I recently took one on an 800 mile one-day round trip and it was the most comfortable car I've ever driven. Literally like sitting in a great office chair. My arms could sit on the perfectly positioned armrests and reach the wheel, my legs were more below me than in front, and the seat was super adjustable and supportive. What a superbly cush vehicle.

I can also attest to the Highlander being extremely comfortable in top trim spec.

Lastly, Lincoln's Aviator has remarkable seats. You just have to take the time to find your ideal position as they're almost comically adjustable.

Good luck!
 
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#18 ·
I would definitely take a look at the VW Atlas/Cross Sport and the Volvo XC90 as stated above. Volvo easily takes the cake for seat comfort and the seat position in the Atlas/CS may work very well for you.
 
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#19 ·
Man, I'm sorry you're going through that. I'm glad you have a budget to deal with it, though. :beer:

One thing I'd be careful with is ingress/egress. I would think that if it makes it difficult to move on some days you don't want something too high or too low, so try to take that into account if it's a concern, even if only occasionally.
 
#20 ·
Air and water do mix said:
Man, I'm sorry you're going through that. I'm glad you have a budget to deal with it, though. :beer:

One thing I'd be careful with is ingress/egress. I would think that if it makes it difficult to move on some days you don't want something too high or too low, so try to take that into account if it's a concern, even if only occasionally.
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Oh very good point. It's not fancy, but the Kia Soul has got to be one of the best in this category. An old guy I used to golf with had one for that exact reason.. door open, sit down. No climbing or falling in, just a natural sitting position.
 
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gti_matt
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