Seat Modifications?

[tallguy]

Has anyone modified the driver's side seat for a taller person? Does anyone know if Honda has aftermarket seats that sit lower and further away?

I am 6-foot 6-inches tall. The Element has great headroom and side room but it is very strange that Honda did not allow more leg room. When I test drove an Element, the steering wheel was in the highest up position and the seat in the furthest back position, yet my knee was tightly wedged under the steering wheel. So much so, that it was difficult to turn the steering wheel. The salesperson is saying that a seat rail extension would resolve the problem, but I am not convinced.

Then of course there are warranty and car insurance issues if a modification is done.

Seattle Tall Guy

[ttempel]

Has anyone modified the driver's side seat for a taller person? Does anyone know if Honda has aftermarket seats that sit lower and further away?

I am 6-foot 6-inches tall.

this may be a dumb question on my part, but if it's an EX did you try lowering the driver's seat? It's that big round knob on the left side of the seat bottom, and it makes a big difference in the seating height. This may make a difference for you.

[mgd675]

Fedral regs, not Honda make that seat set where it is for the average person to be hit just right by the air bag. there is a way to make the seat go back another 3/4 to an inch. there is no problem with insurance or factory if you make the adjustment, trust me I know this, we can talk via reg email if you want

[Anonymous]

Fedral regs, not Honda make that seat set where it is for the average person to be hit just right by the air bag. there is a way to make the seat go back another 3/4 to an inch. there is no problem with insurance or factory if you make the adjustment, trust me I know this, we can talk via reg email if you wantI am aware of the federal regulations that require manufacturers to design interior components to fit up to the 95th percentile of the population. Thank you for the info about extending the seat per existing equipment. However, 3/4 of an inch will do little or nothing.

As I stated earlier, I am not convinced that the Element can be adequately or safely modified. I called Honda USA this past Friday and the representative was in a word, "unhelpful". She would not answer questions about aftermarket seats, or how a warranty might be affected by modifications.

I am through considering an Element. Why make the effort and spend $400-600 to modify a vehicle when others fit me just fine? Looks like I'll be buying a Saturn Vue or Acura MDX.

[IN MY]

Why not look at the Pilot? That is the larger class, same as the MDX. The Saturn is junk.

[Racoon]

The Saturn is junk.
The olders one, yes. The new ones, maybe. After all, don't they now come equiped with a Honda V6 engine and transmission?

:)

[SuperG]

I could be wrong, but I thought GM backed out of that deal. Varmit was tracking that in Edmunds awhile ago...(over a year ago)

[IN MY]

That is interesting. I was curious and had someone look it up in CR. It didn't compare. I'm going to have to ask them to look it up again and see what exactly is good or bad. I know it had a huge recall the other day.

[Racoon]

I could be wrong, but I thought GM backed out of that deal. Varmit was tracking that in Edmunds awhile ago...(over a year ago)
I couldn't find any specific announcement on the Honda or Saturn websites, but here are some interesting review comments...

The big news this year is the replacement of the torquey but unrefined 3.0-liter V6 with a 3.5-liter V6 built by Honda.

Enhanced utility comes from increased towing capacity (up 1000 pounds to 3500), thanks to a 3.5-liter Honda-sourced V-6. The new powerplant (standard in any V-6-equipped Vue, Red Line or not) offers 38 percent more power and a 24-percent bump in torque over last year's Opel-based V-6. This class-leading power is matched to a Honda five-speed automatic gearbox, in either FWD or AWD.

:)

[SuperG]

Well, there you have it. I did mention it was over a year ago....I haven't been there since.....oh well. My bad again....

[Vigor25]

'Powered by Honda'.....that's key to a successful vehicle 8)

[cburton]

By a Vue? Ok, hope you enjoy your "Vue" while broke down on the side of the road, watching all the Elements cruise by.......

[ramblerdan]

Fedral regs, not Honda make that seat set where it is for the average person to be hit just right by the air bag. there is a way to make the seat go back another 3/4 to an inch. there is no problem with insurance or factory if you make the adjustment, trust me I know this, we can talk via reg email if you want


Well I'll take an additional 3/4 to an inch legroom if I could get it, mgd675. Any reason you can't discuss it on the forum?