Hello all. I need your advice...

I have a 2004 xB (my first new car ever) that has been a roomy, super reliable, economical and very fun to drive car.
Like all 1st gen xB's the ride is very stiff. I have changed to softer shocks and a slightly larger tires, which seems to help the ride quality a little, but the truth is that the short wheelbase and design of the car makes for a stiff ride.
Regardless, I still love my little box car.

THE PROBLEM:
Many, many years ago I was injured in a car accident and have developed arthritis in my neck which has caused 24/7 pain. I've had surgery which has greatly reduced the pain, but have noticed over the past year that riding in my xB is becoming increasingly painful.

IDEAS:
I have "tried on" a bunch of new cars for size (I'm 6'3") and only a few fit. I want to get another wagon (or small SUV) as they seem to fit me better. Sadly the xD (not enough head room) and new xB (not enough leg room) won't fit. Even the RAV4 does not have enough head & leg room.

However... the new Subaru Forester seems to be a perfect fit and has the most comfortable ride of any vehicle I've tried. The downsides are the cost (car payments again and the job market is shaky) and the significantly lower gas millage, which is around 23 mpg.

So... I'm stuck on what to do.
What do you think?


Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

Only if....forester.....sti.

Have you tried a wrx wagon? The bugeye's have dropped significantly in price.

 

Yes, but the older Impreza's (and WRX) are a bit too small, but the new 2012 Impreza is supposed to be bigger and get 36 Mpg! However, they don't arrive in showrooms until mid December.

 

i love the look of a rallied out forester but its not fitting to some. i say if it fits you go for it but we will hate to lose a box driver!

 

I'd keep looking. You can do better than 23 mpg and new car payments. What about the xB's successors, the Cube and Soul? What about asking at your local tall guy's clothing store what cars they drive?

 

I agree. I like the 2nd gen xB but it also gets low Mpg and the center shifter console is huge and cramps my leg room.
I did some research and found the following...

10 Best cars for tall drivers (Consumer Reports)

1 Ford Flex Limited
2 Honda Accord EX-L
3 Honda Odyssey EX-L
4 Lexus LS 460L
5 Mercedes-Benz ML350
6 Mercedes-Benz S550
7 Nissan Murano SL
8 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited
9 Volvo S80
10 Volvo XC70


Top 11 Wagons and Hatchbacks With the Most Front-Passenger Room for 2011 (Edmunds)

1 Subaru Outback
2 Ford Flex
3 Hyundai Elantra Touring
4 2011 Subaru Impreza
5 Lincoln MKT
6 Honda Accord Crosstour
7 Kia Forte
8 Toyota Venza
9 Acura TSX Sport Wagon
10 Kia Soul
11 Volvo XC70

 

Scion iQ? lul

 

I could swear there was a mod for the xb's for taller people. Someone put washers under the seat brackets and extended the bolts? I'm not saying it was safe.. honestly I have no idea.. but it did give them an inch of extra leg room. Which I guess made a huge difference? Again.. I'm only 5'6".. Perhaps you might consider some progressive springs? Might get a more comfortable ride out of them over stock..

 

From your lists, the obvious choice is the Kia Soul. It's what the second generation xB should have been, and it's got the cheapest price by far of all the cars listed. I test drove one, and its ride is light years softer than the xB1.

A Mercedes S550? Really!

 

I saw the mod about the washers under the front seat brackets to increase the pitch so the seat is more comfortable for taller people, but I haven't done it yet in my xB as the seats and leg room are almost perfect... almost.

Since it's the stiff suspension that's too harsh, I took some test drives at the Toyota lot. The RAV4 has a very comfortable ride, but the seat was too low to the floor with no thigh support for long legs. I tried another test drive in the 2nd gen xB. It had lots of room and the seats were fairly comfortable, but the center console was too close to my knee and the ride was still too stiff. I got to sit in a Matrix, but no test drive yet.

I thought about the Kia Soul and I agree that it's what the xB should have been, but I have yet to test drive one.
...and hell no, I'm not even thinking about a A Mercedes S550!

The search continues...

 

Update & Question:
I am currently running 195/60 R15 Hankook Optimo H727's and they help a little, but it's not a soft enough ride.
I saw a post a while back about switching to 14" rims and slightly taller tires for a softer ride.

Has anyone tried this?
How much more comfortable is the ride?
Any effect on handling?


Thanks!

 

Bump...

 

No need to buy 14" wheels. The OEM tires are 60 profile. Find some tires with 65 or 70 profile that have similar OD and weight capacity, and put about 4 psi less pressure in them than the door placard specifies.

 

I've been running +1 size tires (195/60 R15) at a lower pressure (26 psi) for a month now, but the box still rides too rough.

 

Well... I bit the bullet at traded in "Hako" my beloved xB on a new Subaru Forester, which I got a good end of year deal and low interest rate. They gave me an Ok price on my trade and had it sold to a Scion dealer in Buffalo within the hour. I'll miss my little box car, but I'm sure it will make the next owner very happy.
ScionLife has been a great group and I'll miss you all.
Perhaps the new owner will join your ranks soon.

Cheers!

 

good luck with the new ride...

 

why does everyone have to leave just because they sell their xb!? if anything you can still give advice about things since you owned one for so long! good luck in your new ride.

 

gl with the new whip. ill never trade in my b