Here's the situation: I am 5' 10" tall and I drive a 2002 Honda Civic 4-door sedan LX. I had back problems before I bought the car brand new in 2001 and they have slowly gotten worse over the years. I have a feeling that the car seat is a part of the problem. Not only is the seat itself made for a person shorter than me in terms of where the seat curves and where the headrest starts, but the seat is also too high off of the floor. My knees almost hit the steering column. I will probably have this car for another few years, so it is worth trying to figure out how to fix it to fit me.

I have been talking to a few people who know cars and they suggested that I get a lower set of rails and also consider swapping out the seat for another one - either from a different model Honda or an after market bucket seat. I'm not about to spend a few hundred dollars and get racing seats and rails. So what should I do? Does anyone have any experience with this and have a remedy? Suggestions for a particular seat that might fit? Suggestions for rails? Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

 

im 5'10 as well and my seat has a wheel on the side just next to the recliner. it lowers and raises the seat. does yours have that? if not, you might want to look in to just getting a seat that does.aside from that i sit with the seat scooted back all the way. more comfortable and safer too.

 

I am 6'-2" and I fit in my 05 coupe fine, though the driver's seat is height adjustable on the EX trim. I can't sit upright though, have to move the back one notch. If the seat jiggles when driving, you may need to change the bushings on the seat. I experienced back pain for a while since the rear of the car was bouncing on bumps, turns out rear shocks were on their way out.

 

My seat does not have an adjustable wheel. Can I ask which year/model your car is to see if I can get one of those in there?

The 2002 EX model was adjustable if I remember correctly (I so should have spent the extra money back then). That would be an even swap, no?

 

Height adjustment must have been in the later year 7th gens EX's as my 2001 didn't have it. I'm pretty sure all the EX models have the wheel for lumbar adjustment.
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Some of the cars have side airbags that are in the seats. You just need to make sure you get a seat that's compatible with yours (airbag vs no airbag).
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To tell ya the truth my back quit hurting when I got the Odyssey so, it may not be just the seat, it could be the whole car.

 

Yeah, if i could afford a new car I totally would get one. No more sedans for me. Too tall. I need an SUV or a minivan. But with a teacher's salary, not likely.

 

I think you would be ok with a sedan as long as it's not a compact.

Maybe try to trade with somebody on local craigslist?

 

My '01 EX didn't come with lumbar adjustment.


As for seat options, look into EP3 seats or RSX seats. They sit slightly lower then the stock seats, and are FAR more comfortable. If you don't mind paying a little more money and getting something aftermarket, look into Cobra LeMans seats on some Bride Type-RO seat rails.