<p>OP, I understand where you are coming from. Not all 6’1" people are build alike. This kid may have longer legs than other kids his height. My husband and sons are all tall with long legs. We take this into account when buying a car.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, I don’t think there’s anything to be said from learning to drive uncomfortable cars. Maybe for short jaunts, yes. But having an uncomfortable car is bad for safety and bad for your health IMO. I have had back problems and leg/foot cramps from driving a car that doesn’t fit me. I remember driving a friend’s car on a long trip and having to stop every hour (the seat was way too low!). I had back problems for a week after that. Find him another car.</p>
<p>The seat will still be adjustable if your son isn’t driving - only the track is extended back. The area behind the driver’s seat is only tight when Mr. Long Legs is driving! It is fairly inexpensive to make the adjustment- I think they just add a small metal bracket to extend the track.</p>
<p>The best solution is to find a car that “fits” the driver. We had the opposite of your situation. Our new driver was 5’2" and both cars were too big. Solution - we went car shopping and ended up with a Honda Accord. We had also planned for a car to be inherited, but it just didn’t work out that way.</p>
<p>At first I didn’t understand why one of my friends kept insisting we needed a car to “fit” until a friend who was also petite had me sit in the passengers seat of her car and showed me how easily she could reach everything vs. how difficult it was for her in the driver’s seat of my car.</p>
<p>I was oblivious so I am glad you are aware that your son needs a car to “fit” him!</p>
<p>Are there any colleges in your area? Sometimes students sell off their cars at the end of the school year, especially international students. There are lists on line of good cars for teenage drivers - good safety ratings, etc. Just use your favorite search engine.</p>
<p>Some years ago, Daniel Pinkwater had a great piece on NPR about being a big guy, trying to find a car that fit. The surprise winner was a Volkswagen.</p>
<p>My H is 6’3 and has driven many small cars. Some are just not as comfortable as others, but he’s never complained about it being a problem. I, too, have certain cars I prefer, but can drive the others as well. Certainly, if he is going to buy a car, he should get one that he likes the best, but that has not even always been the case with my H, as we have gotten the best all around fit for family, and not necessarily the best fit for any one of us.</p>
<p>One variable that isn’t being considered is height AND weight. How much does your son weigh? Somebody who is 6’1" who has a normal weight of around 175 pounds (even with long legs) shouldn’t really have a problem driving any type of car.</p>
<p>insomnia…I will say that I’m almost 6 feet tall and weigh less than your “normal weight”- and some cars - particularly old hondas -are very uncomfortable. My legs are LONG. I have a niece who is one inch shorter than me with even longer legs (I think she weighs 130 lbs - lol). IMO, some Hondas are NOT good cars for those with long legs and she has trouble with certain cars. This is not just an issue for males. That said - everyone is different. I may suffer cramps and back pain in a “poor fit” car but maybe somebody else with the same “dimensions” is just fine.</p>
<p>I have a 6’5" 17 year old. When he drives a smaller car he says it works better if he puts on a slimmer profile shoe. (because the gas & brake pedal are closer together)</p>
<p>There sure are a lot of really tall kids on CC!</p>
<p>Not all model years of CRVs are the same so one might fit fine in one but not another of a different model year.</p>
<p>
I’d definitely consider this a safety issue and get a different car if he’s going to drive. There needs to be some space so if he happens to get into a frontal impact crash his knees/legs won’t be instantly crushed. Remember that those ‘star ratings’ are for more average sized people. He also needs to have a comfortable driving position to properly handle the car including steering, braking, and accelerating. On top of that, if he ever does a longer trip, he needs to be comfortable in the seat so he doesn’t continuously squirm/adjust which isn’t that safe either.</p>
<p>I don’t see how this issue puts a quash on your Mini. His designated car is already an older used car so just sell it and then buy another car that fits him that costs the same amount or less (unless you want to put more into it to get a newer/higher model). You can then also get Mini that it’s high time you have.</p>
<p>LOL! My son is 6’9", wears a size 13 shoe, and has a 39" inseam, Try fitting him in most cars! We tease him that he’ll be driving a minivan for the rest of his life.</p>
<p>I don’t have a subscription anymore, but just happened to pick up the Sept. issue of Consumer Reports. Though I frequently disagree with their car recommendations (IMO they seem to emphasize factors such as gas mileage and price over safety) they have a feature this month that suggests cars for the “young, old, tall, and small.” </p>
<p>Best cars for tall drivers: Family sedans: Accord, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima. Small SUVs: Subaru Forester, Acura RDX and Mitsubishi Outlander Midsized SUVs: Mercedes M-Class, Nissan Murano and Mazda CX-9.</p>
<p>Interestingly, there is considerable overlap with the list of best cars for small drivers because they considered very adjustable: Accord, Fusion, Altima, Forester.</p>
<p>I know someone who is 6’3", with very long legs proportionally, who says the car in which he had the most leg room was a 2-seater sports car. Since there was no back seat, the front seats went waaaaay back.</p>
<p>This may not be a practical suggestion for a teen boy. Heh.</p>