Question:
SURVEY...WHAT VEHICLES CAN WE FIT INTO COMFORTABLY?

I AM WORKING ON GETTING SURGERY, BUT IN THE MEAN TIME....I AM NEEDING A NEW CAR/TRUCK. MY STOMACH IS READY TO BREAK OFF THE INTIMATE AFFAIR IT HAS BEEN HAVING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN MY DODGE SHADOW. I WANT TO START LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND I DON'T REALLY WANT A GAS GUZZLER WITH GAS PRICES THE WAY THEY ARE NOW, BUT DON'T WANT TO GO TO DEALERS TO "TRY ON" A VEHICLE FOR SIZE IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. SO I WAS JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS ANY "SIZE ADVICE" ON CARS/TRUCKS? WHAT DO YOU DRIVE THAT "FITS" YOU OR WHAT DID YOU CRUISE IN PRE-SURGERY?    — DELINDA T. (posted on May 6, 2004)


May 6, 2004
Due to the fact that I have some pretty severe arthritis I needed to get rid of my Honda Del Sol. It was too little and close to the ground. I bought a PT Cruiser. I love it!!! It is like riding in a mini van.......easy to get into and out of. Plenty of room. Now that I had my surgery 61/2 months ago, I had to move the seat up. Ahhhhh........sometimes it is the little things that make us happy! Colleen open rny 10/27/03. 306/184
   — Colleen H.

May 6, 2004
I am still pre-surgery now. I have just bought a new car this past fall and "belly room" had to be considered! I bought a 2004 Saturn L300 sedan. I love it! Its roomy and the steering wheel adjusts up and down. Its also good on gas and is quite safe! It has steel-reinforced doors and side and front airbags. Its also affordable -- payment of $275 month and its loaded! Best of Luck! Leslie Lee
   — leslee4567

May 6, 2004
Hi! I have a friend with a PT Cruiser and I find it very comfortable and easy to get in and out of. I've heard the Volkswagon Bugs are a rounder shape and therefore more 'user friendly' for some of us although I have not driven one. A very plus size friend drives an Oldsmobile Olero comfortably.
   — auntsusiern

May 6, 2004
Stop by a auto seat upholestry shop. They or a regular mechanic can move the seat track back giving more room in nearly any vehicle. Low3 cost too. I suggest you wait for surgery and pick once you loose the weight. That way you will get exactly the vehicle you want
   — bob-haller

May 6, 2004
I bought a 2000 Ford Taurus when I was 8 months pregnant and over 300 lbs. I had no problem fitting behind the wheel throughout the rest of my pregnancy and even after when I didn't lose the "baby weight". The newer models even have adjustable pedals so even if you had to let the seat all the way back at least you can raise the pedal height so you can still reach. I still have it today and still love it, especially after the weight loss. Hope this helps!
   — scortch1

May 6, 2004
Hi, When I bought my car I shopped around a lot and found the car with the most hip room was a hyundai Accent. Really!! I love the way it handles. I had to use my chevy venture seat bet extender for it as they did not ever hear of extenders at the Hyundai dealership. Now that I am 80lbs down I don't need the extender anymore!!
   — catleth

May 6, 2004
I had a Chevy Corsica(94) befor surgery and I just had to get a newer car. I am still over 400lbs and my new car, A 2004 Chevy Impala, is VERY fat friendly!! The seat belt does fit extremely TIGHT but I could have gotten a free extender. I chose not to get the extender because I don't plan on needing it in the future! Good Luck....also my mother drives a 2003 Buick LaSabre and it too is fat friendly but not as well as the Impala!
   — Angela P.

May 6, 2004
I absolutely love my PT Cruiser. It isn't too low or high for getting in an out of. Before my knee replacement 2 years ago, I couldn't even climb into our old van or Jeep. I've had it over 3 years, so it was a good fit at 310# and fits even better now. Lots of head room and an adjustable steering wheel. Of course I'd rather be driving, but if I have to be the passenger, I prefer the room on the passenger side in my Cruiser to my husband's Jeep anyday! Shadow Open RNY Revision 4/23/2003 295/175/150
   — Shadow51

May 6, 2004
We love our Impala, too. Ours is a 2000. My husband is about 6'2" and 250 lbs., and I was the same weight at 5'7". My mom is 300 at 5'8" and also has one. It is the only car she has been happy with other than a big Lincoln. She uses the extender. Good luck!!
   — Fixnmyself

May 6, 2004
I have a Chevy Lumina that's gotten me through some big, tough times. By the time I went into surgery, I was 468 and I'm only 5 foot 1. That makes for some serious "lateral growth" if you know what I mean. But I was still comfortable driving it. It gets better gas mileage than my hubby's truck. Another thing to think about is a site called amplestuff.com. Through them you can order a special steering wheel. A very small one, like a racecar. Not terribly expensive, and you can have it installed in your local garage on just about any model. (How much it costs you to get it installed I don't know.) Embarrassing, maybe, but hey, you do what you gotta do. And it's a lot better than limiting your automobile choices when there are so many other factors to consider. Good luck! Christie, 8 mo post, -180
   — christied

May 6, 2004
I just love my Honda CRV. It is just the right height for me. I just set out and in. No jumping up or squating down. The belly room is really good also. You can move the steering wheel up and down. I just love it.
   — MARSHA D.

May 6, 2004
oops, that is "I just get out and in" sorry, it's early!
   — MARSHA D.

May 6, 2004
Dodge Stratus and Intrepid are both very tummy friendly. Both ways - it fit fine at 306, and it seems like my car is getting bigger now at 212! But still comfy! Gas and Insurance friendly, too!
   — ScottieB86

May 7, 2004
I HAVE A SATURN ION. ITS PRETTY NICE. VERY ROOMY. I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM SPORTS CARS OR ANYTHING SMALL WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED BUTTER AND A SHOE HORN TO GET INTO....LOL. GOOD LUCK!
   — Tracy L.

May 7, 2004
I remember I was at lunch with a post-op who said he kept getting bigger and bigger cars. Now he's thin and stuck with this gigantic car. LOL. Maybe have the wheel or seat adjusted and hold out until surgery? I'll tell you, no Civics or Celicas that's for sure. LOL. I was trying to get out of my friend's Celica with difficulty. Then I pushed the seat forward to let my skinny friend out and she had almost as much trouble. I realized then, man this is a small freakin car!
   — mrsmyranow

May 7, 2004
I have a Jeep Liberty, and love it. IT goes anywhere, fits in small parking garages, and fits a big person behind the wheel. As I am getting smaller, I can move the seat up and not feel like I am driving a sherman tank.
   — Pookie B.

May 7, 2004
I had a Honda Civic Coupe pre-op (love their gas mileage). Now at 2 1/2 years post-op I'm in a Honda Civic Sedan (more room for my grandkids).
   — LLinderman

May 8, 2004
I have a VW New Beetle, and it has tons of room. Absolutely the most fat-friendly car out there--and a great attention getter. My BMI is in the low 60s and hubby is in the low 80s, and we fit just fine--it's a riot to valet park and have the car returned by another valet--they can't believe we want that little bitty car. We recently went to buy him a Honda Element--but alas, it was too small. The back seats had huge legroom, but the seat tracks for the front weren't set back enough. Sigh.
   — Pamela Y.

May 8, 2004
I drive a 2003 Mercedes Benz C230 Kompressor Coupe. My car is my boyfriend. I make out with it when no one is looking. Preop I drove a 99 Cavalier, a 97 Corolla, and a 92 Accord LX Coupe. But not all at once. Those were my first 3 cars. I bought the Benz as a little reward for myself for doing a good job & losing the weight.
   — KAT *.




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