Forced Perspective
We all write about cars from our own perspective — I'm a big guy, 6'2" and wide, and my perspective reflects my size.
This weekend, I was forced to look at cars from another perspective — our friend Allyson is 4'10", and her car is causing her real problems. She drives a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier — a problem already, but not the point — and the seat belt is a constant irritant. It hits her across her neck instead of across her chest, and she's in real fear of decapitation. Well, Allyson's dramatic, so I'm not sure if it's real fear, but it's certainly a big annoyance and potential safety hazard.
Since Allyson's Cavalier (!) is still under warranty, I suggested that she speak with the dealer who sold her the car, and see if there's a factory solution.There are dealer add-ons and modifications to help disabled people — maybe there are dealer services for people out at the lip of the height bell curve.
I promised Allyson that I will contact GM about her problem, and see what they suggest. All of our initial brainstorming — add a telephone book to the driver's seat, wood blocks to the pedals, leg stretching — just served to further annoy Allyson.
I found a good website with some links for Allyson, from the Kniest Syndrome/Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita Group website — though Allyson is just short, she doesn't have any physical maladies or syndromes. What are some good cars for short people? If you're under 5' tall, how have you dealt with the issue?
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I’m 5’5″, so the car-for-smaller-people thing is familiar. Miatas are comfortable for smaller people, although impractical as can be.
Geo (now Chevy) Trackers are a relatively comfy drive for a friend who is about Allyson’s size.
Saturns offer a great deal of accomodation in terms of seat placement, seat-belt adjustment, and relatively high pedal height.
Why is it that sports cars designed for middle-aged men having their midlife crisis are sized for people who are much smaller than they are? I have noticed this again and again – the Miata, Z3, S2000, et cetera have SMALL cabins.
For the shoulder strap problem, there are aftermarket seat belt adjusters such as these:
http://www.dynamic-living.com/seat-belt-strap-adjuster.htm
http://www.magellans.com/store/Auto_Travel___Comfort_ItemsAA127?Args=