Cars for Noobs

[Salamok]

Serious question. What Car would you guys recommend for an overweight really tall guy. I'm 6 and a half feel tall. Have really long body lenght but the legs are on the long side too. One of the reasons I've held off on getting a car is simply the sheer agony of sitting in the bloody things. But frankly the bus isn;t much better these days.

This is a common predicament in TX,the standard solution is to buy a truck.

[Sir T]

How overweight? No, this isn't a dick question.

I'm pretty heavy, but I don't look hugely overweight as I have a large frame, if that makes sense. I have a pretty large beer belly. I'm about 330-350 pounds

[schild]

Serious question. What Car would you guys recommend for an overweight really tall guy. I'm 6 and a half feel tall. Have really long body lenght but the legs are on the long side too. One of the reasons I've held off on getting a car is simply the sheer agony of sitting in the bloody things. But frankly the bus isn;t much better these days.

This is a common predicament in TX,the standard solution is to buy a truck.

Again, part of the problem.

At that girth, you should really be test driving everything. It's not the leg room or headroom that will bother you. It's the seat comfort.

[Sir T]

Yeah that makes sense. Thanks schild.

Yeah I would not buy a truck for the fuel economy problem.

[Raging Turtle]

Edit: I just assume you can drive stick since you're European btw.

I'm not European.  I did live in Prague for a while, but the transport system is so good there I never needed a car.  Or I had a friend with one. 

If I could drive a stick, I'd probably be more of a car guy.  And vice-versa.

[schild]

Sounds like a great time to learn stick.

Also, yea, sorry about that, I knew you weren't European. >_>

[Salamok]

I think with the snow and his not really giving a fuck about driving around like some a dickhead wannabe race car driver an automatic would be the wiser choice.  Pretty sure you are projecting your wants onto him by suggesting a stick.  There was a time in my life when I enjoyed driving a stick and I still occasionally do but for every 1 time I would enjoy driving a stick there are 99 times when I would rather drive an automatic.  I would also say that automatics are generally less maintenance, if for no other reason than someone can fry your clutch in a matter of hours if you loan your car to the wrong person.

[angry.bob]

I'm pretty heavy, but I don't look hugely overweight as I have a large frame, if that makes sense. I have a pretty large beer belly. I'm about 330-350 pounds

I still drive my Intrepid. I'm 6'2", varied from 240 to 310 lbs, and have had a variety of gut sizes while owning it and it's still always been comfy. Since it's a big luxury car it also doesn't sink on one side when I get in it. You can get them used for dirt cheap since they're discontinued and have the generally poor reputation of being a Chrysler product. Most of that reputation has been undeserved with one BIG exception. The 2.7 liter engine absolutely does have a design flaw that causes the engine to lock up. They designed the oil passages too small and level. The catalytic converters are also inside the engine compartment. The combination causes oil to cook in the engine and eventually block oil flow. At about 80,000 miles the engine light will flicker on and about 5 minutes after that the engine locks up. Chrysler denies this is a design flaw and the result of poor maintenance, but it's pretty well documented and proven. The 3.X engines are fine though. The thing handles well, stops on a dime, is quiet inside, has never gotten stuck in North Ohio snow, and gets 26 miles a gallon city driving. I like to think bad decisions like discontinueing the model in order to go back to making rear wheel drive models contributed to them going tits-up.

[Bzalthek]

How overweight? No, this isn't a dick question.

I'm pretty heavy, but I don't look hugely overweight as I have a large frame, if that makes sense. I have a pretty large beer belly. I'm about 330-350 pounds

Take a look at various Hyundai.  I'm 6'8 @ 400 lbs and I drive about 90 miles a day / 5 days a week with very little discomfort in a hyundai elantra.  I've also driven a hyundai sonata without feeling cramped as well.

In fact, the elantra was good for me at 480 lbs (which was what I was at last year before I started my diet)

[Numtini]

The biggest front seat I've ever seen was the Geo Metro (Suzuki Swift I think in other markets). It was cavernous. A guy who delivered pizza for the shop I worked at had one. Car size is not the same as cabin size.

Last I heard he had moved up in the world and was playing poker professionally at Foxwoods.

[Abagadro]

Last I heard he had moved up in the world and was playing poker professionally at Foxwoods.

That actually seems like moving down in the world.

[Trippy]

Serious question. What Car would you guys recommend for an overweight really tall guy. I'm 6 and a half feel tall. Have really long body lenght but the legs are on the long side too. One of the reasons I've held off on getting a car is simply the sheer agony of sitting in the bloody things. But frankly the bus isn;t much better these days.

If you don't care about reliability get a non-Japanese coupe, possibly one without a sunroof (though that'll hurt the car's resale value). Many if not most sedans can't move the driver's seat back far enough for those of us with long legs. And if does go back far enough you'll be looking at the B-pillar when you turn your head to look left. With a sunroof/moonroof you lose a lot of usable head room (at least an inch or so). I can't even fit my head in most Japanese "sporty" coupes with a sunroof without tilting my head. This is even with the seat lowered all the way down. Japanese family cars usually have more headroom but then the seat doesn't go back far enough.

The other issue is finding a seat that'll be comfortable. "Sport" seats especially can be an issue as they often have bottom side bolsters that can make it hard to fit your butt. I had this dilemma when specing my coupe's seats but I went with the sport seats even with my fat ass and never regretted it as the seat bottom bolsters flex "out" without cause too much pressure on my hips.
 

[Numtini]

That actually seems like moving down in the world.

No place to go but up from pizza.

[Selby]

What Car would you guys recommend for an overweight really tall guy.

I'm 6'5" but not overly large.  I can find *most* newer *NON-SPORT* cars are decent for leg and head room, provided you are in the front seat (back seats are a completely different story).  I checked out a latest generation Mustang and hated the lack of room, and the previous generations had no foot room for my feet to operate the clutch.  But really, I recommend test driving *whatever* you want to own.  If you are transporting people like yourself around, I'd honestly recommend a Crown Victoria (ex-Police Interceptor as you can get one cheaply).  Roomy for 5 big adults, front seats are good for long hauls and miles, and the reliability of such a beast is pretty high.  Only downsize is the fuel economy in town for a v8 will stink.  But then, if you buy a full-size truck as recommended, you'd be in the same boat.  But yeah, need to know desires of the car.  A Geo Metro is actually not a bad front seater (which is, like I said, similar to most newer cars these days) but the rest of the car leaves ALOT to be desired and I'd personally not drive one if I had a choice.

*My* actual biggest complaint about newer cars is the wheel wells are put way up on the car in the passenger compartment, and thus my feet are considerably cramped in the front compartments.  I don't particularly like most newer cars because of how uncomfortable it is to place my feet.

[slog]

I grew up and learned to drive in Rockies and the NW (Colorado, Montana, Washington), so I know a little about driving in snow and ice.  I'm going to echo the advice for a small import sedan with front wheel drive, the newest your budget can manage.  Not a Kia, but any other manufacturer is fine (not because they're ugly, but because I've never driven one and don't know how they handle or hold up).  Anti-lock brakes are a *must*, traction control is nice but not essential.  If it has slightly higher ground clearance, that's a good thing.

Forget 4WD.  If you aren't used to it, it can give you misplaced feelings of control and invulnerability, then you find out 4WD means you just spin all four tires at once and make a good impression of Bambi and Thumper on the frozen lake.  Get new tires (just a decent all-weather radial) on the front each winter, move the old front pair to the back.

Best snow car I ever had was a 78 Dodge Colt (actually a rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer).  Front wheel drive, high ground clearance and short wheelbase, had a 2-range transmission for when I wanted to creep along, and handled great in a skid.  Too bad they didn't have anti-lock brakes that far back.  Seriously, get the anti-lock brakes, using standard brakes in snow and ice is a skill that usually requires a couple of dents to acquire.

--Dave

I have never read worse car advice. 

I recommend a used Subaru Outback.

[Nebu]

Forget 4WD.  If you aren't used to it, it can give you misplaced feelings of control and invulnerability, then you find out 4WD means you just spin all four tires at once and make a good impression of Bambi and Thumper on the frozen lake.  Get new tires (just a decent all-weather radial) on the front each winter, move the old front pair to the back.

Having lived for years at 7300 feet in the Rockies, I agree with this 100%.   I've seen so many non-mountain people end up in the ditch with their expensive 4WD SUV's because of this false sense of security. 

As for the rest, get yourself a nice Honda, Nissan, or Toyota that's 1-3 years old.  You'll never regret it.

[Aez]

That has got to be the worst advice I have seen on this forum, ever (buy a new car). You don't buy a new car, ever, if you care at all about getting a deal, because the thing loses 1/4th it's value just driving it off the lot. Furthermore, IN THE OP he said he wasn't looking for a new car.

I hear that argument a lot. Is it an urban legend?  Where can I find a car with less than 1k mileage at 75% of the price of a new one?

[schild]

That has got to be the worst advice I have seen on this forum, ever (buy a new car). You don't buy a new car, ever, if you care at all about getting a deal, because the thing loses 1/4th it's value just driving it off the lot. Furthermore, IN THE OP he said he wasn't looking for a new car.

I hear that argument a lot. Is it an urban legend?  Where can I find a car with less than 1k mileage at 75% of the price of a new one?

Car lots in cities that lease a lot of cars. It's going to be a hard set of miles though.

[NowhereMan]

I think that it's related more to what the dealer is prepared to buy it back at (which roughly sets the floor foor second hand pricing that won't go beyond what they sell at).

[slog]

That has got to be the worst advice I have seen on this forum, ever (buy a new car). You don't buy a new car, ever, if you care at all about getting a deal, because the thing loses 1/4th it's value just driving it off the lot. Furthermore, IN THE OP he said he wasn't looking for a new car.

I hear that argument a lot. Is it an urban legend?  Where can I find a car with less than 1k mileage at 75% of the price of a new one?

It doesn't matter if it's 1k or 10k, a new car loses a lot of it's value as soon as you drive it off the lot.  And what is with you idiots saying that a 4 wheel drive makes you feel like you have too much control so you should drive something that is more shitty in the snow.  Terrible advice.

If you have any questions about Subaru or the car business in general, feel free to ask.  My wife has 20 years in the business (currently an office manager at the local Subaru dealer) my Son is a mechanic, and I recently restored a 1967 Cadillac.

 

[Abagadro]

That has got to be the worst advice I have seen on this forum, ever (buy a new car). You don't buy a new car, ever, if you care at all about getting a deal, because the thing loses 1/4th it's value just driving it off the lot. Furthermore, IN THE OP he said he wasn't looking for a new car.

I hear that argument a lot. Is it an urban legend?  Where can I find a car with less than 1k mileage at 75% of the price of a new one?

I believe they can sell anything with under 7500 miles (at least here in Utah and I think that is common) as "new" if it hasn't yet been registered, so it is pretty unlikely to find such a thing.

[angry.bob]

It doesn't matter if it's 1k or 10k, a new car loses a lot of it's value as soon as you drive it off the lot. 

Everything new loses a lot of its resale value the minute you buy it. That doesn't make it less valuable. It's the same sort of terrible bullshit "fact" as saying all that imaginary money in our economy really existed. Sure, it might be an issue if you're going to sell the car in a week or trade it back in immediately, but who does that? Frankly, a new car with an extended warranty is worth more than it's "on-paper" value. Not having to worry about any automotive repair costs for a decade is a nice feeling.

And what is with you idiots saying that a 4 wheel drive makes you feel like you have too much control so you should drive something that is more shitty in the snow.  Terrible advice.

Most of the time 4 wheel drive is dumb and for people trying to make up for small IQ's or smaller penii. The exceptions are possibly emergency responders and the military. A normal person living in a city never needs 4wd. Ever. Out in the country if you need a 4wd to drive on your roads, stay the fuck home that day or move to the city. The same advice goes for people living in the city, except they’ve already moved to the city. But anyway, here's what people are trying to say without insulting anyone's intelligence. Four wheel drive does not give you magical braking or handling powers. Being able to go faster on shitty, slick roads is a horrible idea for pretty much everyone because they're too dumb to realize that and in a best case scenario end up in a ditch. A front wheel drive car will not go as fast, but that's good because it will help keep you from losing control of your car. Just because your car lets you drive on unsafe roads doesn’t mean it’s a good idea or that you’ll be able to drive on them successfully. Plus, they get worse mileage and there’s more mechanical stuff that breaks and could need fixed. An important consideration under your “never buy new” philosophy.

If you have any questions about Subaru or the car business in general, feel free to ask.  My wife has 20 years in the business (currently an office manager at the local Subaru dealer) my Son is a mechanic, and I recently restored a 1967 Cadillac.

Car mechanic for 25 years, airframe/powerplant mechanic for 20, restored a dozen+ cars, and am currently building an Ariel Atom knockoff in my garage. I win the mechanic waving contest.   

[Abagadro]

A normal person living in a city never needs 4wd.

I've been stuck in my own driveway here in SLC and could have used 4wd or AWD plenty of times. I get by with my FWD but when it snows bad I really prefer my wife's CRV because the AWD just makes driving much less stressful. There was one of those nights recently where it rained at about 6 p.m., turned to sleet and then turned the roads to a pretty icy mess right after as the temp dropped. Luckily I was driving the CRV and got to drive around a bunch of dopes gunning it trying to just get up a slight incline and going nowhere.

The car I'm looking at now is an AWD Infiniti (the G35x) for this very reason. It may only be 10 days a year, but I'd rather have it than not frankly on those occasion and even when it is just rainy/slick it increases the safety factor.

[Nerf]

Sir T, why don't you just find a car that fits and you get the seat re-padded by an upholstery shop?  For a few hundred bucks, you can get a shop to rip all of the padding out and replace it with some super-squishy memory foam and stack some more in while they're at it.  Expect to pay even less if they're mexican.

Also, I've found 2-seaters fit tall folks pretty well, I'm 6'5, and even my brothers Lotus Elise is pretty comfy legroom wise, once you can manage to actually get in the fucking thing.  My Z3 is comfy as hell, and in the summer time I've got the best visibility around.

[Quinton]

It doesn't matter if it's 1k or 10k, a new car loses a lot of it's value as soon as you drive it off the lot. 

Everything new loses a lot of its resale value the minute you buy it. That doesn't make it less valuable. It's the same sort of terrible bullshit "fact" as saying all that imaginary money in our economy really existed. Sure, it might be an issue if you're going to sell the car in a week or trade it back in immediately, but who does that? Frankly, a new car with an extended warranty is worth more than it's "on-paper" value. Not having to worry about any automotive repair costs for a decade is a nice feeling.

Yup... this was a big reason I bought a new car in 2000 (Acura Integra GSR), which I'm still driving today, I've had to spend very little money maintaining (finally had to replace the original front brakes and battery in 2009, think I've replaced tires twice and wipers a couple times, etc). 

Every couple years I think about buying a different car, but this one's still working great, so I don't.  Lately, I've been somewhat tempted now that less-hideously-ugly hybrids are available (not a fan of the Prius), but still haven't seen anything compelling enough to make me want to buy right now when I have a car that works.

[IainC]

For the guys recommending stuff for SirT, remember he lives in Ireland and a lot of US cars aren't exported over here with a few notable exceptions (Jeeps, some smaller Chryslers).

[Ralence]

Four wheel drive does not give you magical braking or handling powers. Being able to go faster on shitty, slick roads is a horrible idea for pretty much everyone because they're too dumb to realize that and in a best case scenario end up in a ditch. A front wheel drive car will not go as fast, but that's good because it will help keep you from losing control of your car. Just because your car lets you drive on unsafe roads doesn’t mean it’s a good idea or that you’ll be able to drive on them successfully.

Amen.  Living in CT, I see so many soccer mom's in the ditch in thier SUV's every single snowstorm that think 4wd means immunity to slippery road conditions.  It definitely makes driving forward easier, but those fucking tanks they drive sure as hell don't stop for shit, antilock or no.

I usually beep and wave.

And on topic, I second or third or wherever we are on the Honda Accord/Toyota Camry.  I picked up a demo about 5 years ago with about 2k miles on it for my mother for right around 15k.  She has yet to have anything at all go wrong with the car at all.  Find a nice used one, and drive it for the next 10 years.

[stray]

This is a common predicament in TX,the standard solution is to buy a truck.

I'm not overweight, but tall.. I tend to drive trucks, but bigger cars like Impalas work too (what I got atm). Also Volvos. Some of them at least. They are made by Swedes, after all.   And you can indeed find a nice used Volvo for 15k.

[Sheepherder]

The biggest front seat I've ever seen was the Geo Metro (Suzuki Swift I think in other markets). It was cavernous. A guy who delivered pizza for the shop I worked at had one. Car size is not the same as cabin size.

The seats are low and stiff, but they have plenty of clearance for legs and head.

[slog]

It doesn't matter if it's 1k or 10k, a new car loses a lot of it's value as soon as you drive it off the lot. 

Everything new loses a lot of its resale value the minute you buy it. That doesn't make it less valuable. It's the same sort of terrible bullshit "fact" as saying all that imaginary money in our economy really existed. Sure, it might be an issue if you're going to sell the car in a week or trade it back in immediately, but who does that? Frankly, a new car with an extended warranty is worth more than it's "on-paper" value. Not having to worry about any automotive repair costs for a decade is a nice feeling.

And what is with you idiots saying that a 4 wheel drive makes you feel like you have too much control so you should drive something that is more shitty in the snow.  Terrible advice.

Most of the time 4 wheel drive is dumb and for people trying to make up for small IQ's or smaller penii. The exceptions are possibly emergency responders and the military. A normal person living in a city never needs 4wd. Ever. Out in the country if you need a 4wd to drive on your roads, stay the fuck home that day or move to the city. The same advice goes for people living in the city, except they’ve already moved to the city. But anyway, here's what people are trying to say without insulting anyone's intelligence. Four wheel drive does not give you magical braking or handling powers. Being able to go faster on shitty, slick roads is a horrible idea for pretty much everyone because they're too dumb to realize that and in a best case scenario end up in a ditch. A front wheel drive car will not go as fast, but that's good because it will help keep you from losing control of your car. Just because your car lets you drive on unsafe roads doesn’t mean it’s a good idea or that you’ll be able to drive on them successfully. Plus, they get worse mileage and there’s more mechanical stuff that breaks and could need fixed. An important consideration under your “never buy new” philosophy.

If you have any questions about Subaru or the car business in general, feel free to ask.  My wife has 20 years in the business (currently an office manager at the local Subaru dealer) my Son is a mechanic, and I recently restored a 1967 Cadillac.

Car mechanic for 25 years, airframe/powerplant mechanic for 20, restored a dozen+ cars, and am currently building an Ariel Atom knockoff in my garage. I win the mechanic waving contest.   

Here is why I recommend a Subaru.

1) 4 Wheel drive. Looking at the opinions of the Masochists here they will be recommending that you drive on 4 bald tires because tires with tread give you too much confidence.  Getting suck in a snowbank sucks.  With a Front wheel drive, if you put one front tire in a snow bank it will spin and you can't get out.  A Subaru will pull right out.  Wisconsin gets a lot of snow.

2) Their used cars appreciated last year.  Yes, their value went up as they got a year older.   Don't expect this to happen every year though.


If you do end up buying a new car, don't get a loan for more than 42 months, no matter what it is.

[Numtini]

8 years in the hill towns on the Mass side of the Vermont border. 25-30k miles a year of driving pizza. Put me down for front wheel drive with good clearance. I can't count the number of jeeps I drove past stuck in the snow.

[Sky]

Loving the 4WD hate. I guess I must've missed all the time I've spent in a ditch.

What most people consider shitty conditions, I consider fun driving. I've complained here before about the VSC system in my FJ that uses ABS to reduce sliding, I"m close to disabling it (and ABS, because it's not discreet enough to disable alone, apparently) because it's so dangerous in winter driving. Probably to protect the people you all seem to find littering ditches anywhere there is snow. I use sliding to my advantage and have for years. It reduces the fun of driving in the snow a lot, too.

I'm good with FWD, too, drove a Rabbit back in the 80s. Main difference from RWD-based vehicles (my FJ is part time 4WD) is that in snow you need to use the hand brake a lot more because the ass won't break loose. Actually, a hand braking FWD manual trans is probably the most fun in light snow conditions.

The only bad driving conditions are ice and other drivers.

[slog]

8 years in the hill towns on the Mass side of the Vermont border. 25-30k miles a year of driving pizza. Put me down for front wheel drive with good clearance. I can't count the number of jeeps I drove past stuck in the snow.

I'm from Rutland VT.

[NowhereMan]

I think the point being made wasn't 4wd will kill you  and everyone elsse on the road but rather 4wd can make you feelmore secure than you actually are especially if you're not very experienced at driving in those conditions. Which seems a fair point, time spent in the TA with students in army land rovers I've seen some peope do very stupid things because they were in tough, 4wd vehicles. In other words it makes you safer but if you're not experienced enough to know how much safer it can lead to doing stupid things. Which seems reasonable advice for someone's first car.

[slog]

I think the point being made wasn't 4wd will kill you  and everyone elsse on the road but rather 4wd can make you feelmore secure than you actually are especially if you're not very experienced at driving in those conditions. Which seems a fair point, time spent in the TA with students in army land rovers I've seen some peope do very stupid things because they were in tough, 4wd vehicles. In other words it makes you safer but if you're not experienced enough to know how much safer it can lead to doing stupid things. Which seems reasonable advice for someone's first car.

Idiots will drive like idiots regardless of the car they are in.