Cars for [very] tall people

Ro

Anyone else here suffer from extremely long legs? I'm getting driving lessons at the moment in a Punto and I'm finding it very difficult to get the clutch out 'in a smooth motion' and get my bite because my knees are half way up the steering wheel and I have to lift my left foot off the ground to get the car moving. My first few lessons were in a Micra and that was a complete disaster, I could barely get into the passenger seat - nevermind the drivers seat. If I do a two hour lesson my left leg is in bits and my back isn't the best either. Another problem I have is I've big feet and when moving my right foot from the accelerator to the brake I sometimes catch the accelerator with the outside of my foot. This is mainly because I can't get my knees under the bottom of the steering wheel, but also because the area around the pedals is so cramped.

Can anyone recommend a car for the tall man? I'm seriously contemplating giving the manual route the two fingers and buying an automatic (but I'd rather get the test in a manual so I can drive them in future).

c0y0te

I'm 6 ft 4 inches, and very long legged (is that a word?)


Point is, I purchased a Passat 5 years ago because I couldn't fit into most other cars of its class. HUGE car, great leg room and most importantly, great head room (Even with a sunroof).

I was so impressed with the passat, that I just traded it in for another one last week (now driving a lurvely 1.8T).

So - this recommendation is based on over 5 years of driving two different models of Passat saloon. Truely a huge car and I've never had any issues with tbe build quality either

10/10 for the Passat as far as I'm concerned.

c0y0te

[edit] Also worth noting that the steering wheel is height AND reach adjustable (telescopic).. so that makes a big diff for large people.

mike65

How tall is very tall? I'm 6' 4 and drive a Corsa, its a good fit but then I can fit the (last) Nissan Micra.

Fiats, in fact most Italian cars suffer the long arm/short leg design failure. Must be the way Italians are made!

Mike.

mike65

Originally posted by c0y0te
I'm 6 ft 4 inches, and very long legged (is that a word?)

Lanky Git is the term you're looking for!

Mike.

c0y0te

ROFL @ Lanky Git

How about "Lanky TURBO Git" then?

c0y0te

Ro

That's great thanks. I'm in the same boat - 6'4" but I've got legs that are probably equivalent to a 6'6".

What type of car did you learn to drive in? (in case I can't get a 1.8T Passat before my test )

mike65

I passed in a 1980 model Ford Escort (me oldish)
in which the front seat runners were "tweaked"
by my dad so I could get comfortable...(only an extra inch though.) Hows your driving posture, that can make a difference. If you tend to have the seatback reclined to buy headroom you could be making pedal action more tricky as you slide foward at the hip, but thats only a guess.

Mike.

Ro

Posture is ok, I tend to sit as far back in the seat as possible so that I can get my legs lower. Headroom is usually ok - I've about an inch or two to spare.

Blitzkrieger

Any Volvo is usually good. I'm not 6-4, but I have lot's of room to spare in my Fiesta.

c0y0te

I actually learned to drive in a *GASP* Fiat Uno - which was the one before the puto.. about umm 20 odd years ago now. Was always a tight squeeze back then

c0y0te

Ba$tard

How about anything with a sunroof?

Seriously, most Nordic or German cars will help you here

I believe the Skoda Octivia, based on the passat has excellent legroom.

Chimaera

Erm, the Octavia is based on the Golf, the Superb is based on the Passat. I dunno how good the Octavia is in the front, but I know that in the rear, it's pathetic for legroom.

Turner

Honda civic is suprisingly good for tall people, probably because it is so low to the ground. Im 6'4" and i have a good 1/2 foot above my head in mine.

And it just so happens I have one for sale on the for sale board. What a coeincy quance