Looking for a 4WD sedan

scottmandue · 01-04-2011, 12:05 PM

Just got back from the PNW and over a few beers a friend who lives up there mused that he wants a 4WD sedan.

Of course I recommend a Subie but he laments that loves them but he does not fit in one (way over 6 feet tall).

He also insistes that he does not want a SUV (don't ask me why, Portland OR seems like a great place to have a SUV)

Anyhoo... thought I would tap the PPOT brain trust.

4WD sedan for a uber tall guy?

Thanks in advance.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Volvo???

racer · 01-04-2011, 12:12 PM

AMC Eagle?

If newish, your choices for a CAR that I can think of are:

Subaru
BMW
Audi
Porsche
Mercedes
Volvo
Ford 500 / Taurus / Flex
Mitsu EVO
Suzuki
Nissan GT-R
Toyota Sienna AWD

deanp · 12:42 PM

How much taller than 6ft? I'm 6'2" and found a Subaru Legacy GT to be pretty roomy - I think there may have even been more seat travel both down and back. I could even sit as a passenger in the back, behind the adjusted driver's seat. Must be 6'6" or taller?

Eric Coffey · 01-04-2011, 12:33 PM

Panamera 4S.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Former Subie Legacy owner here -- @ 6'2", I had plenty of headroom. A Forester may have more headroom if he can't fit in the Legacy.

-Z-man.

rcooled · 01-04-2011, 12:56 PM

In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are lots of choices: Acura TL SH-AWD, Mercedes E350 & C300 4MATIC, Mazda 6, Infiniti G37 & M, BMW 3 & 5 series, Cadillac STS, Ford Taurus, Mercury Milan, Lexus GS & IS, Toyota Camry, VW Jetta & CC. And of course all the Audi sedans...but you should ask Tim about those

David · David's Garage

BMW 328ix, 335xi, etc. I'm 6'3" with freakishly long legs. With my wife's 328i seat all the way back and down, I can barely reach the pedals.

HHI944 · 01-04-2011, 02:08 PM

Mercedes-Benz : S-Class - eBay (item 250743040668 end time Jan-04-11 16:13:40 PST)

myamoto1 · myamoto1's Garage

At just over 6'1", I fit with minimal headroom in my 2003 Outback. My neighbor just bought a new 2011 Outback and I have a good 4 inches of head room. I didn't adjust the seat height either, so there may be even more than that available.

tcar · 01-04-2011, 02:16 PM

FWIW...

I think those are all AWD (except the Eagle), not 4WD.

Actually some early Subies w/ manual trannies were 4WD.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

BMW 328ix, 335xi, etc. I'm 6'3" with freakishly long legs. With my wife's 328i seat all the way back and down, I can barely reach the pedals.

6'3' and You fit in a shifter cart,

At 6' I find a Lotus Elise tight..

BTT, the sedan market is wide open, does he want a sports sedan, roomy, compact, other than AWD, what is he looking for??

MotoSook · 01-04-2011, 02:29 PM

Some good bargains out there on BMW 5 series with x-drive and Benz E series with 4matic. Quality build and great used car purchases.

David · David's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

6'3' and You fit in a shifter cart,

At 6' I find a Lotus Elise tight..

I thought of doing an extended porch on the kart for more leg room until I saw a guy with an extended porch T-bone someone at speed. I decided to live with bent knees but without broken feet

Vintage914Racer · 01-05-2011, 09:53 AM

A friend of mine is 6'11" and off all the AWD cars on the market he chose the Forrester. He has no complaints thus far. Obviously it's not a sedan, but it is an option. For a long time I was not a fan of them, but driving his in our most recent 18 inch snowstorm changed my mind.

MRM · 01-05-2011, 10:17 AM

We're far enough north that it doesn't make sense to drive anything that isn't at least front wheel drive, and preferably AWD/4WD. Kaisen here on the board hooked me up on a very nice E-350 4Matic for my wife. We both absolutely love the car. Comfortable, capable, and unflapable in bad weather. We put Blizzaks on it for winter and it climbs like a mountain goat and handles ice like it has studs. I'm 6' 4" and have plenty of room. My two boys fit fine in the back seat, although their knees will hit my seat if I'm all the way back.

I told Eric when we bought it that driving it was like having a retired SAS paratrooper clad in a silk suit serving as your butler. I couldn't recommend it more.

mikeferg75 · mikeferg75's Garage

The new Mini Countryman looks interesting

scottmandue · 01-05-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeferg75

The new Mini Countryman looks interesting

I have suggested he take a look at it.

He wants AWD and is +6'4"

Thanks again

javadog · 01-05-2011, 12:58 PM

I've had 15 AWD and 4WD vehicles. 11 of those were Audis. I think they make a much better AWD sedan than MB, BMW, etc.

JR

Garp · 01-05-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

I've had 15 AWD and 4WD vehicles. 11 of those were Audis. I think they make a much better AWD sedan than MB, BMW, etc.

JR

Without any doubt. I'm biased but the ultimate 4wd sedan is the A8, preferably in the S-version. My MY2005 is a wonderful car, extremely well made and and a joy to drive. For the record, I drive the 3.0 TDI (240ps, 0-60 in 8 sec and 700 miles with one tank).