Help for a fat guy

I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.

Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
embarassment going round the car lots!

thanks

Ads

adrian wrote:

> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
> but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
> Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.
>
> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
> embarassment going round the car lots!
>
> thanks
>
> Ads

Mate of mine (6'8", 28st) reckoned that the Series 2 Discovery was the best
he'd tried - may not be *quite* big enough for you, but he could drive it
without knees everywhere.

P.

"adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
> but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
> Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.
>
> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
> embarassment going round the car lots!
>

Large cars generally have lots of room. In particular the Land Cruiser
Amazon has plenty of space up front but its second row is compromised. The
latest Range Rover is huge everywhere. Both have electric steering columns
which automatically retract and tilt away when the ignition key is removed
[on all but base Range Rover]. Both have very long seatbelts and memory for
seats and mirrors which are useful if partner is half your size.
The Amazon [100 series, i.e. latest shape] is now available at up to seven
years old so there is bound to be one available to suit every budget nearly.
The model you should look for, fitted with all these features, is the VX.
The GX is the rare entry level but beware of imported models which have been
tarted up to look like a VX, even to the extent that they have aftermarket
leather added.

Huw

"Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
>> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
>> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
>> but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
>> Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.
>>
>> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
>> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
>> embarassment going round the car lots!


my uncle is generously sized - he drives a disco and a defender but is not
quite that tall but is heading that way as far as weight goes.

just out of interest, what do you drive now? not a saloon car surely? ive
seen my uncle in a renault freago or what ever they were called, it wasnt
dignified. :0)

Doner Kebab wrote:

>
> "Huw" <hedydd[nospam]@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message >
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches
> tall >> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat,
> honest. I'm just >> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive
> (test fit??) some vehicles >> but I've not found one that works for
> me yet. Whoever designed the >> Defender/110 cab layout needs a
> damned good spank.
> > >
> >> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what
> vehicle >> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot
> of >> embarassment going round the car lots!
>
>
> my uncle is generously sized - he drives a disco and a defender but
> is not quite that tall but is heading that way as far as weight goes.
>
> just out of interest, what do you drive now? not a saloon car surely?
> ive seen my uncle in a renault freago or what ever they were called,
> it wasnt dignified. :0)

Currently a company Transit, but we've had to have it modified. Seat
has been set back on a custom seat box and the steering column has been
lengthened. Cost my boss a fortune but is very comfortable.

im a mere 6'4" and i found a disco very cramped, so dont even try it m8. ive got a p38 rangie atm which is the most comfortable car i have ever driven, in terms of leg room, head room, seat comfort and ease of getting in/out.

how big are vw tourags inside? they look bigger than a rangie on the outside, or how about a car from the land of large? an american lincoln navigator perhaps? they are hoooge!!

Ads

You could consider a Ford Explorer, I purchased one recently and find it
very roomy. They are built for the US market, where our cousins tend to be
on the larger size. The driver's seat goes up and down and back
electrically, and the steering column is adjustable. It has a 4litre V6
auto, about 22MPG. Ford UK stoped importing them around 2002, when they
purchased Landrover and it was in direct competition with the Rangerover
and Disco. They are quite reasonably priced, but for some reason the
Motoring press are negative towards them. Have a look at Autotrader for
prices, for example there is a '98 with 46k for £3900; and Parkers for
reviews. The "North Face" is the equivalent of the Ghia, a bit more
luxurious and more expensive, but the bog standard one has most of what I
need, cruise, Aircon, elec windows/mirrors/sunroof/alarm/immoboliser/leather
seats, and usually alloys and CD player...

Late '98 onwards seems to be the best, it had some improvements, you can
tell by the fact that the rear number plate is in the centre of the
tailgate, rather than to the left on the earlier ones. Not sure exactly what
the improvements were, maybe others will know.

HTH

Trefor


"adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
> but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
> Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.
>
> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
> embarassment going round the car lots!
>
> thanks
>
> Ads

I was also going to mention the Explorer. You get a lot of car for your
money, a 'service' (OK, a good tyre kicking) at my local Ford dealer is £90.
My first Ex was a '98 and I'm now running a '00 North Face. 22mpg seems a
bit optimistic but is probably achievable. Mine does 18 - 19mpg on a 120
mile round trip on a mix of dual / single carriageway A-roads. And about 14
mpg round town. Perhaps I should buy some lighter boots!
The differences between the older / newer models are mostly cosmetic -
different alloys, colour schemes, interiors, heated seats, etc. The '00
'feels' to be slightly higher geared than the '98 but I have yet to find any
tech info to confirm this.
Service parts from Ford are stupidly expensive but stuff like brakes,
exhausts, filters, etc are easy to source at sensible prices online in the
UK with a bit of Googling.

The reason I was going to mention the Explorer in this case was because when
I first pressed the memory button for the drivers seat it seemed like I was
being taken on a ride into the cellar! The previous owner must have been
quite tall!

Hope this helps
Simon H

"trefor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ads
>
> You could consider a Ford Explorer, I purchased one recently and find it
> very roomy. They are built for the US market, where our cousins tend to be
> on the larger size. The driver's seat goes up and down and back
> electrically, and the steering column is adjustable. It has a 4litre V6
> auto, about 22MPG. Ford UK stoped importing them around 2002, when they
> purchased Landrover and it was in direct competition with the Rangerover
> and Disco. They are quite reasonably priced, but for some reason the
> Motoring press are negative towards them. Have a look at Autotrader for
> prices, for example there is a '98 with 46k for £3900; and Parkers for
> reviews. The "North Face" is the equivalent of the Ghia, a bit more
> luxurious and more expensive, but the bog standard one has most of what I
> need, cruise, Aircon, elec
> windows/mirrors/sunroof/alarm/immoboliser/leather seats, and usually
> alloys and CD player...
>
> Late '98 onwards seems to be the best, it had some improvements, you can
> tell by the fact that the rear number plate is in the centre of the
> tailgate, rather than to the left on the earlier ones. Not sure exactly
> what the improvements were, maybe others will know.
>
> HTH
>
> Trefor
>
>
> "adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
>> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
>> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
>> but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
>> Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.
>>
>> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
>> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
>> embarassment going round the car lots!
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> Ads
>
>

About the Explorer MPG
I have just filled up with 44.09litres (9.7gallons) and done 208 miles. That
works out at 21.5mpg, mind you I live in a semi rural area in East Anglia
(very flat), and don't spend too much time stuck in traffic jams. Mostly
local trips, less than 5 miles return with a few longer trips on dual
carriageway. Also I usually stick to the speed limit; around town, it is
very easy to go over 30 mph in this vehicle without noticing. I usually try
and get into a higher gear as soon as poss.

Trefor

"Simon H" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I was also going to mention the Explorer. You get a lot of car for your
>money, a 'service' (OK, a good tyre kicking) at my local Ford dealer is
>£90. My first Ex was a '98 and I'm now running a '00 North Face. 22mpg
>seems a bit optimistic but is probably achievable. Mine does 18 - 19mpg on
>a 120 mile round trip on a mix of dual / single carriageway A-roads. And
>about 14 mpg round town. Perhaps I should buy some lighter boots!
> The differences between the older / newer models are mostly cosmetic -
> different alloys, colour schemes, interiors, heated seats, etc. The '00
> 'feels' to be slightly higher geared than the '98 but I have yet to find
> any tech info to confirm this.
> Service parts from Ford are stupidly expensive but stuff like brakes,
> exhausts, filters, etc are easy to source at sensible prices online in the
> UK with a bit of Googling.
>
> The reason I was going to mention the Explorer in this case was because
> when I first pressed the memory button for the drivers seat it seemed like
> I was being taken on a ride into the cellar! The previous owner must have
> been quite tall!
>
> Hope this helps
> Simon H
>
> "trefor" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Ads
>>
>> You could consider a Ford Explorer, I purchased one recently and find it
>> very roomy. They are built for the US market, where our cousins tend to
>> be on the larger size. The driver's seat goes up and down and back
>> electrically, and the steering column is adjustable. It has a 4litre V6
>> auto, about 22MPG. Ford UK stoped importing them around 2002, when they
>> purchased Landrover and it was in direct competition with the Rangerover
>> and Disco. They are quite reasonably priced, but for some reason the
>> Motoring press are negative towards them. Have a look at Autotrader for
>> prices, for example there is a '98 with 46k for £3900; and Parkers for
>> reviews. The "North Face" is the equivalent of the Ghia, a bit more
>> luxurious and more expensive, but the bog standard one has most of what I
>> need, cruise, Aircon, elec
>> windows/mirrors/sunroof/alarm/immoboliser/leather seats, and usually
>> alloys and CD player...
>>
>> Late '98 onwards seems to be the best, it had some improvements, you can
>> tell by the fact that the rear number plate is in the centre of the
>> tailgate, rather than to the left on the earlier ones. Not sure exactly
>> what the improvements were, maybe others will know.
>>
>> HTH
>>
>> Trefor
>>
>>
>> "adrian" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> I've always wanted a 4x4 but I'm struggling a bit. I'm 6'11 inches tall
>>> and weigh 29st. (That sounds bad but it's not all fat, honest. I'm just
>>> big boned!) Anyway, I've tried to test drive (test fit??) some vehicles
>>> but I've not found one that works for me yet. Whoever designed the
>>> Defender/110 cab layout needs a damned good spank.
>>>
>>> Anyway, what I am asking all you normal sized drivers is, what vehicle
>>> has the most space for the driver? It would save me a lot of
>>> embarassment going round the car lots!
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> Ads
>>
>>
>
>