But I NEED a BIG car.

[Bubba1235]

Getting to be about time to buy a new car and trade the Buick in. Sounds easy enough, I mean there are hundreds of makes to choose from right? Well, not that I can fit in comfortably. I'm 6' 7" and weigh in around 220 - 230 and I simply don't fit in most cars. Some not at all, and others I can wear like a pair of snug undershorts but not much in the way of a comfortable road car I can carry all my work gear with me.

We tend to have multiple vehicles for different uses. A pickup, my go fast toys, the wifes economy miser, etc. but I've always had a large four door sedan for working on the road. Something I can carry a week or two's clothes including a suit or two, work boots as well as dress shoes, a couple computers and maybe a dozen different programmable controlers and modules to go with them as well as my tools. If Mrs. Bubba goes with me on a trip you can double (triple?) the stuff that goes with us.

After looking I've hit a wall, no one is really building that sort of car any more. Even Caddy's and Lincoln's (and Buick) have been downsized to the point they don't fit the bill. Oh I've found a couple I can manage to "wear" but comfortable they aren't and once I'm in the drivers seat you may as well take the rear seat out because no one is going to fit back there. Found a couple more with decent cabin room but the trunk is all but useless. It just seems that no matter what the over all down sizing of cars means you have to give up useable space in one area or the other.

Maybe I'll try to find a 1955 Buick RoadMaster and rebuild it... :facepalm:

 

[foodfisher]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Hummer?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Hummer?

Hummer has zero head room, Im only 6'3" and my head rubs.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Would this not work....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVNY2YC5zI

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Watch the video, you do NOT see him getting in and out and if you look his knees are wrapped around the steering wheel. That works to drive across town but for 1000 mile road trip, not so much...

Well i just figured because he was 6 inches taller and 100lbs bigger, you might actually fit. :redface:

The CAFE standards are going to leave you with an SUV as your only choice looks like.

 

[itsacrazyasian]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

While i'm not big like you... INfact quite the contrary. I'm 5'6" and 130 lbs but my usual conveyances are a F350 crew Cab 4x4 and a Ford Crown Victoria. Don't like small cars, don't like feeling claustrophobic (and i'm not afraid of santa clause). I owned a Chrysler 300 (a 2008) and it was a pos. GM doesn't interest me after what they did to a bunch of gm owners refusing to own up to a defect in the Impala (citing it was old gm not "new" gm). The new Taurus is nice, but narrow seating and too much $$$. I bought a Hyundai Genesis this time. I own a repair shop and the new Hyundai's are very good cars. Buddy of mine is about your size and has no issues fitting in my car comfortably. 429hp V8 was the choice for me. Drove the 6 and it didn't feel punchy enough for my tastes. The only downfall is it doesn't have a high tow capacity like my Crown Victoria. Its one of the reasons why i ended up keeping my Vic. I look back at it now and wished i just bought a Town Car (you could still order them new back in 11 when i bought my genesis).

 

[rbh]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Well you got 3 inches on me, but I got 50 pounds on you, and I know were your coming from on this question!!

I find any full size E-cab pickup with buckets to be the most comfortable, (dodge the worst due to the sloping windshield) .
but I need to get a ladder installed for the wife.

 

[roscoe]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

YOU have been declared obsolete.
Please return to the reclamation center for modifications.


You are likely going to need to buy and modify along the lines of an NBA player.
Move/replace seats.


Shaq has a Smart Car.

 

[JB]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

You don't "need" a big car. You need a ute or crossover. From your description I suggest a Mercedes M class. I have had three; the only vehicles I have ever had in which the driver seat would go back farther than I needed (I am only 6', but I drive straight-arm and wear a western style hat while driving.). Comfort is a given.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Ford Flex?

http://www.carsdirect.com/buying-guides/top-5-cars-with-the-most-headroom

Or others?
http://blog.truecar.com/2011/03/21/friendly-cars-for-tall-people-just-in-time-for-march-madness/

 

[captmello]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Can you fit into a minivan? We've had a couple Chryslers and I think they are great for travel and hauling.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

I think I have to face the fact that the days of the FULL SIZED sedan have come to an end.

Yup - nobody really wants them, so they don't sell them.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

I am really surprised that Ford quit making the Crown Vic. With all the Police and Taxi purchases plus the civilians that want big sedans, you'd a thought that without major redesign costs, they would have continued to be profitable. After all the years of production on that platform, Ford had that car down to state of the art. They were economical to drive, reliable and one of the least expensive cars to maintain and repair.

I am wondering if it did not have more to do with the ridiculous, pie in the sky fleet CAFE standards.

Some where I read that Taxi Companies actually bought a fair quantity of them just to stockpile them.

 

[jkust]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

A little dated but my buddy who's a 6'6, former farm boy and is absolutly gigantic (biggest person I've ever known) had good luck with the pre 2000 Bonneville then got a 2000 Bonneville which was shrunk a bit. 6'7" to me borders on a curse especially when flying commercial. I'm way shorter at about 185 but had a 97 Bonneville SSEi (supercharged) back maybe up until 5 years ago and it was really a great car. I'm at the height where everything is a perfect fit so honestly don't know how any of my cars would work with near NBA height.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

Here you go Bubba pick your poison!! even though this includes no longer in production.

http://www.carmax.com/enus/top-10-lists/top-10-cars-for-driver-front-passenger-space.html

 

[rbh]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

I always wanted a 1987-1991 toyota turbo supra with targa roof, but it was a tight squeeze to get into one, so that ain't going to happen anytime soon.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

I just sold what you needed Bubba. 95 Buick Roadmaster with 148k oringinal miles, It was my Dads car and was loaded, power everything. I agree they should still make at least one full size rwd. My Dad had his Roadmaster and bought a Lucerne and he hated it didnt have it a month and it was up for sale.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

I myself would keep the Buick. you fit in it, its currently comfortable to drive, and you know the history.

I also understand you do not want a truck or SUV due to the ride, and having done my share of road warrior duty, I can understand

if it wasnt for the quality issues I would even suggest a Chrysler minivan.

Then again, if I put my hot-rod hat on, build the car you want. Maybe a mid 60's caddy with an LS6 on air-ride suspension.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

I used to have a 73' Buick LaSabre, that should fit the bill for ya'

With the 455 powerplant, you'll have plenty of get-up and go (well, not really...)

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: But I NEED a BIG car.

think European - VW and Audi larger sedans always seem to fit tall people, whether it's in the torso or the legs.

or just pick up a low mileage 2011 Grand Marquis or civilian Crown Vic and drive it until 2021 - they will last a decade no problem... the adjustable pedals in those help for tall people.

here's a 2011 basically new - 178 miles on it