I would welcome any input as to which car I should look at to be best for my lumber and sacrioilic problems I have a mini at the moment. I love it dearly but I'm beginning g to dread driving as my back hurts so much after about 5\10 minutes.
Any ideas ?
BMW 5 SE series. Fitted with the Comfort pack. Not a M Sport.
Thanks but a bit out of my price range
Me too. Don't have to buy a new one. The 1995 - 2002 E39 model is still on the road in large numbers. Considered to be the best built quality they ever made. The 2003 - 2006 E 60 is a lot lower build quality and materials. The 2007 - 2010 E60 LCi is far better in both areas.
Just a thought 
Rib
I find when I book a taxi a mpv always has a good seat for lumber support they are very comfortable
Hello
I have a Vauxhall Astra, Elite and it seems comfortable to me I do long drives, it is an Automatic and the driver seat has five adjustments with a bum warmer, I have problems in C1/2/3 and low lumber regions with stiffness in the mid disks as well
Give the Vauxhal a try, with above model the seat are bucket leather as standard, so with the rack and rake on the steering wheel the driving position is very adjustable. The passenger seat has about three or four adjustment and even the passenger gets a warm bum in winter.
BOB
Thanks for suggestion
Hi Deejames, I have the same problem as you do and i know i could never manage just getting in and out of a mini i always go for one of the larger cars in which the seats are higher up with respect to the road which helps with getting in and out plus i try to find one that has soft suspension and larger tyres never go for one that has small diameter tyres like you get on some of the flasher sporty type cars as they do not give any help to the suspension for me the larger diameter and lower pressure tyres are the best for taking out a lot of the minor bumps which do the most to cause pain, for larger bumps most of us tend to steer away from them but the smaller ones you do not see until it is too late to steer away from them, at the moment i am driving a Vauxhall Zafira which i find to be quite a good ride and has a decent height seat.
hope this helps you decide what to drive.
regards Poppy Ann.
That's for your help Poppy
Its also very important that the car has low emissions and fuel consumption. Its mostly the sitting position that the problems! Although the .seat and steering wheel are adjusted and there is a heated seat ( mmmm). Maybe its just driving as I cannot sit anywhere comfortably in the evening. I live north of Inverness in a small village. Cars are pretty essential.
Hi deejames. I managed to get an ex-mobility Ford Focus and find it excellent for comfort and smooth on the road. Fuel consumption is not bad either. It cost me nearly £8,000 four years ago and I have had absolutely no problems with it letting me down or passing MOT's. except when it ran out of oil because I hadn't checked it for a year!
Look up notability on line and they have big exhibitions at regular intervals, usually in shopping centres. When I went, we were able to try sitting in at least 12 cars , all of which target health problem solutions. I have similar probs to yours, and we chose a tour an which has high seats. You can also get advice about cushion types or modifications to help. HTH.
Just a thought... I have back problems and a nurse I work with suggested bring seat forward a good bit. it does help
I have had a free lander automatic for 12 years ( through 4 back ops) it is the most comfortable car I have ever sat in or driven, think this is because the seats or quite hard and very upright so your knees are not higher than hip level which happens in a lot of cars lumbar support or not.
Again may be out of your price range but could pick up second hand. I think one of the important things is to look for an automatic whatever, it really takes the pressure off your spine and lower vertebrae not having to constantly use your clutch and as the accelater and brake are generally placed nearly the driver it means your feet are more a less in the right position most of the driving time to be ergonomic and keep your lower spine more stablished .
Good luck
A
Hello Again
The Astra has large size large wheels and a complete climate control, so that each side of the car can be ventilated independent. One further problem we have with people carriers is the hight of the seat when getting in our out, Also if the car has a low roof this can be a problem because you will need to bend when getting in or out. A further problem we also can have is lifting bonnet and boot, the boot has to have a smooth entry where you do not need to lift over the bodywork as sometimes this can be awkward. Many cars have problems with a small boot again this can prevent getting a wheelchair in or out, a hatch in this has a better storage as you can slip the wheelchairs etc in by the rear seat
Motability has a really good website that covers all the main problems associated with most models.
Many disabled needs a car people carrier etc and the floors etc can be sorted for your disability, these come under the Title WAV and the contract runs for five years because of the modifications The standard let lasts three years.
Remember the specifications of each car need to be taken with a pinch of salt and you cannot beat the fact of seeing each one in the flesh.
Vauxhall used to give customers with Motability a car an extended period running into days to try the model, although I think this has ceased. It generally takes a while to make a good decision and I find the list of cars gets shorter and shorter as you go through the options as we are all different and what suits one may not suit another disabled driver, I start looking about now for the end of April.
Many of the higher model types are a good choice as they on occasions have the basic modifications needed as standard model extras. Sometimes depending on the disability the adaptations are supplied by motability like a steering ball, Hand controls can also be fitted and sometimes grants may be given.
Good Luck
BOB
My car is a Kia Venga. The seat is the right height to just slide in. But driving is one of the worse activities for 'backs'. Are you having treatment for sacroiliac and do you get a pain across the groin whilst driving? Wish you well, Val
Thanks to everyone for your helpful suggestions
I get the same pain after sitting - have you thought about a really good back support- it doesn't take all of the pain away but does take a lot away-
Definitely something with good suspension! Have you heard of shoft.co.uk? It's a website about bad backs and driving.
Hi. I am new to this and just saw your post. I have prolapsed discs in my lumbar and have sacroiliac dysfunction both sides. I suffer with terrible sciatica and have fibromyalgia too. My husband has recently bought a Toyota yaris and the seats in there are so comfortable with lots of support. I'd definitely recommend it.
Several people have mentioned a Yaris. One to check out. Ta
very interested to read this. My husband is a lorry driver and suffers from upper back problems following an injury. Can anyone advise of any seat support which would help upper back (heated pads....?) he cant lean back against the seat at all although his back is fine (clear MRI!!!!) gggr very frustrating.....
When I was driving a HGV truck I use to get back ache at the top too I would stop and have break but it still hurt the steering wheel is large compare to a normal car wheel
My arms and upper back would hurt if you have the wrong driving position
The seat needs to be angled to the same degree that your spine arches back as it ascends out of your lumbar support
I used a pillow on my back for support I would not drive longer than a hour before I would stop
I had a Yaris which was very good. A Zafira was great as well. I have found that a car with a big door opening, quite high up, an automatic and with heated seats helps my back and hip problems. I also now have regular breaks when driving and don't drive if I feel unwell. I have just got a second hand Range Rover on an 08 plate. I have now experienced a heated steering wheel. Absolute bliss for my poor hands.
Hi DeeJames, have you tried the Vauxhall Insignia I had a diesel automatic and that was great I have a Rover 75 just now thats good but a bit too low for me so am looking for either a Landrover auto or Range rover auto(second hand now though) the insignia was very comfortable and good on fuel ! I have allways had large cars as I have allways found them comfortable ! unfortunately I am not Driving at the moment due to meds and agoraphobia but allways keep them taxed(Free) and insured I now have to make sure my rover is Moted lol I have a friend who takes it out just to keep it running for now!!
I have a Honda Crosstour, heated leather seats, with excellent lumbar support and it is the best so far. It isn't low to the ground, so it makes for easier getting in and out.
Bad reaction to gabapentin
Today is a very bad day
