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O T re: choosing vehicles for us fibromites/ chronic pain folks

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Posted 5/21/2015 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
Using search function I found Jun 2011 thread 'older vehicles & fibro' .. some basic info but not enough.

Time has come, must Start car shopping & wonder if, aside from the necessity of actual butt in seat, test driving, anyone has advice.

Getting in & out of current (4 door sedan) car myself is a struggle.. do get in & out correctly, know from riding in friends' cars that my seat is too low to ground.

Have 3 grandchildren, not often will i have all 3 in my car - right now that requires 2 car seats & 1 squished teen in the back seat. And twisting to fasten their car seats sets off major flares so I don't take them out often. Would like to change that.

Like Subaru, Nissan, Toyota brands. Back in the day I usually drove Oldsmobiles & Buicks ( along w/sports cars now & then!). FJ feels comfortable to ride in & drive, a tad high to get in & out but much better than current vehicle. Don't know about kids car seat situation.

Observations? Advice? Thnx!
Posted 5/21/2015 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Shortly after I was dix'ed with Fibro I realized that driving my car was one thing that flared me worse than anything, so we traded it in. At the time I was (like you) driving a 4 door sedan (Acura). I knew going in that I needed to get something where I was sitting up higher as having to practically pull myself off the ground (it felt like at times) to get out of the car was not helpful. I wanted something where I could sit up as if in a chair. I tried several different vehicles and ended up with a Kia Soul. I still love this car. It sits perfectly for me, so that getting in and out it's like sitting on a chair and I can stand right up without any reaching or pulling to get out. I sit up straight instead of slouching like I did in the acura and I can position the wheel at a good angle so I'm not reaching out for it. It has plenty of room for 4 (maybe 5 if you squeeze them in the backseat - 6 if you throw one in the back hatch area...lol) and everyone is comfortable. Lots of head room too, and sitting up higher keeps headlights from shining in my eyes of oncoming vehicles.
Posted 5/21/2015 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Well, first of all, if you can afford it, get leather seats. This makes getting in and out of the car so much easier.

Have the driver seat have lumbar support. I have a Camry and absolutely love it. It has a power lumbar support but I actually set it for my back when I first got the car and haven't touched it since. I can ride for great lengths without having my back hurt. I wish I had a chair in my home like the driver's seat in my Camry.

I'm short (5'1 1/2") and the Camry is the perfect size for me. But if I were taller I would probably look to a mini-van. The SUV's are huge, I think. I struggled to get in a friend's SUV. My daughter has a small pick up truck and I practically need a step stool to get in it.

Your grandchildren should be able to buckle themselves in unless they are babies. I can't offer suggestions there since I'm not familiar with the child seats they use. Some of the new cars have built in child seats that pull out from the regular seat.

My best suggestion is that when you have an idea as to what you think you want to buy, go to edmunds.com. You can find out anything you want about the car and read reviews and tests on the cars. I did this when I chose my Camry and will do it again when I need another car.

Car shopping is fun! I hope you find exactly what you are looking for and also a car that is comfortable for you and is easy to get in and out of. That is soooo important!

Sherrine
Posted 5/22/2015 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thank both of you for your replies!

Sherrine. Will use Edmunds. Thnx

The 'built n' kids car seats is news to me - will investigate.
One g'child IS new born... have not had her in my car yet., know from experience those infant carriers that click into car seat base are too - well too everything For me.. too bulky, too awkward, etc to be easily used. Ideally, I want a stroller that just rolls into car, clicks in -done.. the way some wheelchairs fit. But will need to design & produce first.

Leather seats - thnx for pointing out the pro's -usually have them 'cause I like the durability as well as the feel & look. Fell in love w/a friend's beautiful rolled & tucked seat (she & husband restored classics - seats were her specialties) in '70's - been hooked ever since !! Now I understand added reasons.

Julie - .. re:seats.. you perfectly described dilemma I deal with currently & plan to correct in next vehicle -w/out needing a step stool. Oh I will certainly add Kia to my 'try it' list.

Also on my wish list:camera for use when backing up. Ability to easily access stroller, bags, etc, from 'trunk'. & to not grimace when open/closing any of the doors.
Posted 5/22/2015 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
I just bought a Ford Fusion and I love it. It has 6 way seat adjustment, lumbar support, heated leather seats, dual air control, and telescopic steering wheel.
Posted 5/22/2015 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have a 14 Chev SPARK. Too little for you, but does have cloth seats I don't stick to in hot weather. Sits high too, easy to get out of!!
My DH has had Nissans. HORRIBLE SEATS. I can't do more than 10 min in his cars. Absolutely kills my back and bottom. Hard to get out of too.
Posted 5/23/2015 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
My favorite car to use since I had the accident that set this off, was my GMC Acadia. I had power seats with lumbar for the driver, is roomy and allowed me to get in the backseat without crawling. It was rather big, but could seat 7. Leather seats as Sherrine mentioned, the backup camera, and just comfort. I was even comfortable in the passenger seat.

I cant mention enough that heated seats are my friend almost year round. I have a couple of crushed vertebrae and I have been known to run the heat in the summer to help me with longer drives.

Honorable mention goes to the fusion which I had on a business trip recently. It had a comfy lumbar seat and when in park, the seat automatically pushed back to allow me to exit the car comfortably. Nice feature since I have to drive a little closer to the wheel now.
Posted 5/23/2015 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you !

You'll 'get it'.. you know what I am talking about.

Every option you'll mention provides additional items on my wish list. (I too use my heated seats often!)
And more vehicles to test drive.
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