[NotThePainter]

I'm thinking of buying an Element, looks perfect for my mountain bike, kayak, telescope equipment etc...

Just how comfortable is it on LONG trips? My current car has 3 hours seats, any more and you just are hurting. My ex's Volvo had 10 hour seats, probably more, but I never pushed it that hard. (11 hours with 2 half hour breaks.)

I don't drive much but when I do it seems to be for long distances, I have several 5 hours trips a month, and 1 to 2 multiple thousand mile trips a year.

I'm talking to the local dealer about an extended test drive, but what's the scoop on the driver's seat? How good or how bad is it?

Thanks!

Paul

 

[ramblerdan]

Welcome, NotThePainter.

I'm assuming you are looking at a new or late-model Element.

The 2007-10 seats are pretty well regarded for comfort, if you are of average height. Very short and very tall drivers tend to hate the non-adjustable shoulder harness. People with finicky spines who commonly need support aids will probably need them here too.

Search for old threads on this topic; there has been considerable discussion over the years, but bear in mind that anything relating to 2003-06 seats probably doesn't apply, except maybe for the extremely firm cushions.

 

[REZA]

I've done 10 hour road trip and only stopped for gas & pee break twice, at the end of my journey I was fresh and no back pain or numb bums. E is a real highway cruiser. :lol:

 

[spdrcr5]

I have done quite a few 10-18 hour days of driving without any issue.



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[dcarvil]

Extremely hard cushions is correct. I've driven mine cross country twice (5 days each way), plus 3 weeks touring Baja. On the first trip I had to stop the second day to get a cushion, but after that no problems. If I ever get around to re-upholstering the seats, I'll add some foam, but the cushion works fine for now.

 

[couture]

I have done quite a few 10-18 hour days of driving without any issue.

my 09 is a great comfortable cruiser....did several 9-10 hr trips and it was more comfortable than my Yukon XL on the same trips...

 

[scorsone]

Comfort is a real hard thing to review. Some people like feather beds and soft fluffy pillows while others like firm hard beds and contoured pillows. A car's seat is basically the same thing.

I suggest you get the dealer to let you take one out on an extended test drive. It is too bad nobody really rents the E.

I find my '05 to be pretty comfortable, maybe not the most comfortable of cars that I have owned but pretty close.

 

[KYRoadkill]

I'm an old geezer with a bad back, and I have done a number of 5-6 hour drives with no problems whatsoever. Many of these drives have been on mountain back roads which aren't the best, but again, no problems.

 

[Snuffleupagus]

I injured my back in a car accident in 1997. There is always constant pain and tightness around the lower shoulder-blade/mid-back area.

I have a very nice, very expensive Herman/Miller chair in the office. I have to get up once every hour to stretch out my back otherwise the pain and tightness will worsen and build up to the point I can't sleep at night. I do not have this issue with my 2004 Element's driver seat. I have driven 20 hours straight and only stopped to buy gas and food and take smoke breaks. I ate on the road. Small stretches while sitting on the driver's seat are usually enough to loosen my back.

I have driven far more "luxurious" cars with seats that were really bad on my back.

 

[EL-MT]

My '03 EXs seats have been great for long distance drives. I regularly drive to Portland OR from Missoula MT nearly non-stop (girlfriend) it's about 10 hours. I really like my E for roadtrips.

 

[IRV]

I'm thinking of buying an Element, looks perfect for my mountain bike, kayak, telescope equipment etc...

Just how comfortable is it on LONG trips? My current car has 3 hours seats, any more and you just are hurting. My ex's Volvo had 10 hour seats, probably more, but I never pushed it that hard. (11 hours with 2 half hour breaks.)

I don't drive much but when I do it seems to be for long distances, I have several 5 hours trips a month, and 1 to 2 multiple thousand mile trips a year.

I'm talking to the local dealer about an extended test drive, but what's the scoop on the driver's seat? How good or how bad is it?

Thanks!

Paul

:lol: Your first post echoes one of my first posts 5 years ago. I can't speak for the later model years but I've driven from northern Illinois to Duluth, MN, Pittsburgh, PA,St.Louis, MO, Evansville, IN and think nothing of doing a six hour drive on a Sunday. Fact is we are planning a drive to Black Earth, WI this Sunday to take Mrs. IRV shoe shopping. That's about six hours round trip. (Oh and Mrs. IRV never objects to taking the E; she drives a Ford Edge that if you just looked would seem much more comfy. It just isn't.)

 

[ramblerdan]

Zipcars had Elements in some cities at one time. Depending on where you are, NotThePainter :coughprofilecough:, you actually might be able to rent one for a long trip.

 

[Miss Ellie & Co.]

I agree!

We've done numerous 1000 mile + roads trips in the E.
I've gotten dead-ass a few times but that can happen in any seat if you don't stop for leg stretches.
Overall I love it.
Plenty of head room and a great big windshield to look out from.