2014 Impreza 5 Door Drivers Seat Issue

[m07801]

           Hi All,

                  I purchased five days ago a 2014 Impreza 5 Door Premium. I previously owned a 2004 Honda CRV.  I have a lower back problem with two herniated discs that I have lived with for years. Not much of an issue. Two days after driving the car, I started to develop symtoms of sciatica. I havent had disconfort like this since I was diagnosed with the bad discs a long time ago, ever.

                  I keep adjusting the seat and steering wheel different ways. But I dont think the adjustments help. I do have a little bit of a problem getting in an out of the vehicle, since it is lower than the CRV. But I just thought I would have to adjust to that.

                  I have been going over some options and thoughts. Maybe Im just not adjusting the seat properly for my condition. I will try to speak to a physical therapist on that. I will also ask him if he can recommend any type of cusihions or supports i can get for the seat. Im not sure if the issue is with the seat itself, driving psotion, or both.

                  My other option, and I hope I dont have to go this route. To bring it back to the dealer and trade it back to them. I know I would take a loss, but I have to think of my health. If I did this I was thinking about a Subaru Forester. Maybe because it is an SUV type vehicle, the seat and seat postion would be better. I would probably have to go for a Certified Used 2011 or 2012 under 30,000 miles to save money.

                  I did do a search on this issue though. Im reading that even in the Forester around these model years. That the driver's seat is not really good for people that have back issues. And I have have read numerous posts on the net that Subaru seats in general are not that great to begin with. I have no previous experience with a Subaru product other than with my present vehicle. Maybe if the seats are that bad, I should not look into getting another Subaru porduct. But other than this issue, I do like the car.

                    Does anyone have any suggestions or feedback?  Thank you.

 

[gbhrps]

m07801,

 

Sorry to read about your problems re. driver's seat comfort. Before you do anything that costs a great deal of money, I would suggest another aproach.

 

I've owned 4 Subaru OutBack LTD's since 1997, one of each of the generations up to my present 2012. Now, while I've not had any back problems myself, I've always found the seats have had enough features to allow me to get comfortable for the 8 hour drives it takes me to get to my parents home. My present  Subie has infinitely adjustable power seat bottom and back, as well as an electrically blown up lower back air bag built into the seat.

 

I would suggest that you go back to the dealership (if they'll permit) and test drive such an equipped OutBack for a day (or weekend) and see how it pans out for you. If they won't do it, rent one for a weekend. You need to get the high end model to get the three controls for the driver's seat.

 

If the seats in that car work for you, do some measuring of the seat brackets in your Impreza, and of the seats and compare them to the set in the OutBack. With modifications, it may be possible to swap your driver's seat for one from an OutBack  wreck that is the same colour, although the OutBack one will be in leather and won't match the rest of the interior of your car. Then keep your old seat in storage in the basement, and put it back in when its time to trade the car.

 

With luck and careful shopping, and if you're handy at all, it may cost you far less to go this route or with a similar after market seat, than it would be to trade cars. Good Luck!

Edited September 2, 2014 by gbhrps

[idosubaru]

This is so reliant on personal opinion/preference that I doubt there's much you can do.  Issues by folks with challenging back problems are frequent and varied.   If you're back isn't comfortable I'd guess there's not much you can do about it.

 

Custom seat swap - swap in an CRV seat and you're done!?!?

 

new seats have so many air bag related features that may be a challenge though.

 

Whatever you buy (even if it was a brand new CRV), be sure to test drive it sufficiently.  i remember a dealer letting my dad borrow a car for a weekend or a couple days, not sure if that was just a fluke or what but given you already bought one new car from them so recently maybe they'd give you some option like that.

[keith3267]

Try a truck stop.  They have all kinds of seat support systems.  I do not like the blow up lumbar used in the Subaru seats (or any other brand car seats) as they are too high in the seat back and one each side of the lumbar.  They rabbit punch the kidneys more than they support the lumbar.  Memory foam makes the best cushions.

 

Also move the seat as far forward as you can stand, and then lean the seat back a notch or two.  If you have power seats, don't tilt the front up as it will cut off blood circulation to your legs.

 

Seats are very personal.  I usually have the best luck with the least adjustable seats in the cheapest models.  My truck seats are the best right now.  I wish I had gotten the basic Legacy instead of the Premium.

[keith3267]

If you are still interested, I bought this at AutoZone a couple weeks ago.  It has a vibrator in it but i have not installed the batteries.  It also uses memory foam.  Not an ache since.  Cost $15

 

Edited September 26, 2014 by keith3267

[Stevo F]

If the low vehicle is also an issue I can understand (I have a 2014 Impreza also) and I think the car is too low, at least for me personally. I've seen where spacers can be installed at the top of the struts to give 1" or more additional ride height.

 

I'm thinking of going that route sometime myself- just not sure I'm up to doing the work myself.