Car Suggestions for Very Tall, Very Large Man - New or Used, Petrol/Diesel or Electric - Budget up to $100k

LMetaphor on 27/05/2025 - 07:15

I'm significantly taller than average (6'8"/203cm), very heavy, and most cars are simply not suitable for me as a driver (or passenger frankly).

My current car is a Holden Statesman, which has served me well as it's a long wheelbase sedan. However, it is now over 20 years old and is basically falling apart and the repairs are both difficult (because Holden doesn't manufacture this model anymore) and expensive. I'd get a newer model of Statesman if I wasn't afraid I'd just run into the same problem again.

My requirements (new/used, petrol/electric) are very open and my budget is (what I consider to be) high (AUD$100k) because the number one consideration is that the driver's side can accommodate my frame.

Range (for electric) is not that important, I would only need about 40 km per day. Won't generally need high-speed charging as I WfH for some of the week and can trickle charge.

Versatility not that important - I don't need SUV power or to transport things or have kids that need to be accommodated. I don't give a shit about 'sport' features.

I have no brand loyalties. I have never owned a new car but would be happy to do so. A car that held value would be nice but I do intend to keep for many years so not that important.

Any suggestions or ideas from personal experience, or where I can do some of my more own research? Importing a car is out of the question because I would have to have sat in it at least once.

Automotive

Comments

  • Tomhaigh1 on 27/05/2025 - 07:27
    +11

    My "tall" friend has Subaru Forester, probably worth having a look.

    • Bidet Mate on 27/05/2025 - 17:18
      +3

      I'm only 6'4" but getting a Forester has been great for my posture after a having to slouch in various cheapy Magna's until now.
      Can't garuntee Gigantor OP will be able to sit upright but I'm certain it'll be better than a sedan.

      • ForkSnorter on 28/05/2025 - 06:15
        +12

        I'm only 6'4"

        only 6'4"

        • Bidet Mate on 28/05/2025 - 08:55
          +2

          OP would look down on me

        • Metaphor on 28/05/2025 - 18:53
          +4

          I can't help it if the rest of the world is three standard deviations below my mean.

      • hypie on 28/05/2025 - 17:43
        +1

        Also 6'4 and have a forester. Great car and comfortable for big lads. Amazing safety features too.

        • snuke on 28/05/2025 - 21:29

          It's odd, I drove a Forester having loved them for years never actually been in one. I had a visceral dislike for it after the test drive.
          I wasn't expecting that, but I really hated it. I did test the Outback a the same time and loved that.

          • Oz em on 30/05/2025 - 14:26

            @snuke: I don’t recommend an outback. CVT faults.

            • snuke on 30/05/2025 - 16:20

              @Oz em: I am aware of that possible issue. Looking into it, as an overall package, it's no bigger a concern than possible issues on other cars.
              But yeah, would they just use a standard bloody torque converter.

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 21:49
      +8

      It turns out that this very first suggestion is the most promising one and the first one I'm going to follow up

      https://www.reddit.com/r/SubaruForester/comments/ymtesu/are_…

      • BenK-Oz on 28/05/2025 - 05:21
        +4

        Wait for the forrester strong hybrid release in a few months

      • Make it so on 28/05/2025 - 11:48
        +2

        I own a current-model Forrester. It is spacious and very comfortable, and smooth to drive. Quiet inside, and surprisingly quick for an SUV with 4-cylinder engine. Safety is great, and I love it that the headlights turn when you corner.

        One important thing about Subaru's: the SUV's need a transmission fluid change before they hit 90,000km, or you risk killing the whole transmission. This piece of maintenance is over $1600 and not listed as a logbook item despite being non-optional. Factor this into your calculations.

      • jrowls on 29/05/2025 - 15:33
        +1

        check out an outback while you're there as well mate. i'm nowhere near as big as you but definitely bigger than average and i have so much more real estate to work with in terms of legroom and width from the drivers seat.

        it's also a better made car than the forester overall, imo. i've sat in in probably half a dozen of each and owned four subarus (currently on my third outback!), and it's definitely the case for all the generations prior to the current one - i haven't spent any time in either model of the current lot.

      • Skinnerr on 29/05/2025 - 17:06

        2024 model won Aus car of the year too for focusing on the basics and the engine rather than the electrical gadgets and gizmo's of other new cars.

    • gee-man on 28/05/2025 - 07:33
      +2

      6’5” behemoth checking in.

      Can confirm Subaru Forester fit great, multi-hour drives through windy mountain roads were fun and comfortable, and even had some room left to scoot the seat back further.

      Even a Subaru Impreza worked really well, except they’re pretty low to the ground so not for every tall lad.

      Avoid avoid avoid Cupra, they’re terribly for broad/large people. Would rather catch a bus than drive that again.

      • entropysbane on 28/05/2025 - 14:13

        NEighbour is 6’6”.
        He goes Toyota. Kruger, prado, landcruiser. Also no sunroof taking up headspace.
        He cannot fit in my Santa Fe.
        if you need headspace why does it matter if it is an SUV/4WD or not?

    • Dr Phil on 28/05/2025 - 15:41
      -3

      Any largish car is fine
      Commodore, Falcon, SUV all good.

      • Metaphor on 28/05/2025 - 18:49
        +5

        Yeah, na.

        I can only assume you are trolling me, which I don't appreciate, or you really actually think that, which is….ludicrous.

  • Murkymerv on 27/05/2025 - 07:40
    +1

    Chevrolet Bel air ✅

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 09:55
      +11

      I thought it was implied by my OP, but since this appears to have stopped being made in 1981, and would be even more difficult to service than my current car, this isn't a feasible option.

      • Murkymerv on 27/05/2025 - 22:58
        -6

        Sarcasm ⁉️

  • holdenmg on 27/05/2025 - 07:52
    +1

    Go try on a Kia EV9 for size.

    • MrTweek on 27/05/2025 - 20:10

      Costs more than $100K though

      • Choc0 on 27/05/2025 - 20:13
        +2

        Some dealers will get the base model under the luxury car tax if you ask nicely.

      • hothed on 28/05/2025 - 02:42

        Get one that is near new.

        Significantly cheaper if OP gets an EV on a novated lease. As the payment is pre-tax.

  • sumyungguy on 27/05/2025 - 07:52

    Volkswagen ID. Buzz

    • sumyungguy on 27/05/2025 - 20:08
      +1

      I wasn't trolling OP; spending limit is high and he mentioned not being able to enjoy being a passenger: ID. Buzz is great for tall people
      Kia EV9 suggested above has massive headroom but this may not be the key dimension for everyone.

      • kaleidoscope on 27/05/2025 - 22:47
        +1

        I had a look at buzz in person recently. Man those seats are so comfortable and very wide and easily fits op’s height with extra space for sure!

        Only thing would be, if it’s just OP that’s a waste of all the other things buzz is made for such as family car / people mover / camp etc

  • MS Paint on 27/05/2025 - 08:18
    +6

    If your statesman has an LS then hit me up before you trade it in for $200.

    • Protractor on 27/05/2025 - 10:10
      +1

      Upgrading the ride on ?

      • MS Paint on 27/05/2025 - 10:11

        Nope. Series 2 VT.

  • Muppet Detector on 27/05/2025 - 08:35
    +1

    Convertible.

    Alternatively, something with a sunroof.

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 09:57
      +5

      I feel like this is a joke answer. Convertibles are tiny and having my head above the front windscreen is a deathwish.

      • Muppet Detector on 27/05/2025 - 17:31
        +7

        Well of course. I was hoping that it would give you a smile.

        One of my kids 6'6" likes his landcruiser, but he does a fair bit of off road and sand use. Tows things too. Really big muscly boy with really broad shoulders.

        One is 6'5" and has a Holden Calais sedan

        BMW X1 => 6'4" = another biggish muscly guy with really broad shoulders

        One in Melbourne is about 6'4" has Honda CRV

        One is 6' has Holden commodore sedan. He's a solid dude in the dark.

        • johnno07 on 28/05/2025 - 00:26
          +18

          Goddamn your grocery bill must have been eye-watering.

        • jrowls on 29/05/2025 - 15:35

          He's a solid dude in the dark.

          i'm slightly concerned by this comment

          • montorola on 30/05/2025 - 08:45
            +1

            @jrowls: Still trying to figure out what he meant by that lol

            • Muppet Detector on 30/05/2025 - 20:31

              @montorola: I meant, at six foot, he's a lot shorter than his brothers, but he's still big enough to scare the pants off you if you saw him in a dark alley.

  • Wiadro on 27/05/2025 - 08:41
    -2

    bmw x7

    • Flutterby on 27/05/2025 - 09:42
      +2

      They are big on the outside, but merely okay on the inside.

  • 2jzzzz on 27/05/2025 - 08:42
    +1

    Import a lwb sedan from Japan

    • Flutterby on 27/05/2025 - 09:42
      +1

      Lexus LS, already on shore.

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 09:57
      +1

      I thought I had made it clear in my OP that importing is out of the question. I am not going to import a car I haven't had the chance to sit in at least once.

      • Gunnar on 27/05/2025 - 10:42
        +10

        But you can get overnight parts from Japan

        • ayum1 on 27/05/2025 - 19:09
          +4

          I want overnight parts from Japan. Been waiting 5 months now. 🫠

      • Flutterby on 27/05/2025 - 21:06

        Toyota imports them for you https://www.lexus.com.au/models/ls/overview

      • 2jzzzz on 28/05/2025 - 14:03

        Heaps that have already been brought over for you to test. Majesta, crowns, lexus as suggested.

    • JIMB0 on 27/05/2025 - 10:23
      +1

      Crown Majesta. There's plenty already on shore if you want to test drive before buying. Early models are V8 and the latter are Hybrid V6.

  • pegaxs on 27/05/2025 - 08:43
    +44

    I was going to suggest a Dodge RAM, but you said you were tall and large and I think the RAM is reserved for short dudes who skip leg day…

    • BartholemewH on 27/05/2025 - 13:44
      +1

      Seriously though, the RAM 2500 is very roomy.

      • buckster on 27/05/2025 - 19:09

        You would hope for that size it was

    • Herbs on 27/05/2025 - 20:04

      My neighbour exactly as described!

      • MS Paint on 27/05/2025 - 22:48
        +1

        Do they also vape? They nearly always exit a RAM dragging on a vape.

  • SYLTB on 27/05/2025 - 08:49
    -6

    Mercedes S, VW Passat, BMW X5 or Audi Q3..
    There were twin brothers about at your height were driving Mercedes S and BMW X6.

    • MS Paint on 27/05/2025 - 09:33
      +3

      Was waiting for a VW reference. Wasn't disappointed. Q3 is pretty small, perhaps a Q7. Why no mention of Touareg? Can you get a base model for $100k?

      • brendanm on 27/05/2025 - 13:50

        Touaregs are for champions.

    • JIMB0 on 27/05/2025 - 12:55
      +5

      I'm sure they want a car that they can actually drive all of the time as opposed to one that sits at the dealership with yet another problem while they walk and catch the bus everywhere.

    • Haulien on 29/05/2025 - 21:09

      I'm 6'4 with fairly broad shoulders and drive a mk7 Golf. I fit fine but if I were any taller or wider it'd be a very tight fit. Passat is similar size.

  • CheapandUsed on 27/05/2025 - 08:51
    +4

    Holden doesn't manufacture this model anymore

    I love this understatement. Holden doesn't exist anymore.

    Found this weird site that lists tall people EVs iseecars - Best Luxury Electric SUVs for Tall People for 2025

    The Mercedes EQB could be a good option and at the top of your budget new, with a few exDemo's saving a decent amount.

  • 87percent on 27/05/2025 - 09:40
    -1

    if Shaq can drive a smart car, you can too

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 09:58

      I don't know what this means. Does Shaq drive a particular model, and what is it?

        • nfr on 27/05/2025 - 11:01

          Lol that's ridiculous

        • Metaphor on 28/05/2025 - 18:51

          That was obviously a gag. Shaq does not 'drive' a smart car, he drove that one for five seconds as a gag.

          Also, I'm not buying a car where mounting the kerb would result in death.

  • Fredfloresjr on 27/05/2025 - 09:51
    +1

    RAM and make sure you always occupy Two parking space when parking.

    • pegaxs on 27/05/2025 - 10:14
      +4

      I believe that there is a new AUSNZ standard in the pipeline for making parking lots more accessible for larger vehicle due to their increase in their market share.

      • Protractor on 27/05/2025 - 10:25
        +2

        I've never seen a yank ute even attempt to look like the driver could park between any lines.They just stop where the tiny person inside has the shortest route to the 'ladies'.

        • 2esc on 28/05/2025 - 09:57
          +1

          Can they do someone about all the people in small cars and medium sized cars that always have one side of the on the white line.

          A couple times back when we had a wagon we had to climb in through the back as they were parked too close.

          None of our cars are wagons now so last time this happened my wife had to wait an hour and a half before one of the drivers turned up.

          Whats even worse when she parked there were 50 plus vacant spaces around her because we always park further away.

  • Protractor on 27/05/2025 - 10:08
    -6

    Just get as late a model Ford Falcon/Fairmont etc.line, as you can. One owner,low miles full service history.Don't get the gas version. I know 'but Holden'. Mate, you're in a pickle. Ditch the flag.

    Don't buy an obscure brand or model, you'll just be going backwards.

    • blitz on 27/05/2025 - 10:13

      Yep I have a friend in a similar situation who has done this.

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 10:17
      +5

      I made it quite clear that I don't have any brand loyalties. There's no 'flag' for me to ditch.

      • Protractor on 27/05/2025 - 10:22
        -6

        Gotcha. It was more for incoming one eyed assaults. Y'know, 'Baffurst', the 2 brand war etc.

  • Gotchas on 27/05/2025 - 10:13
    +3

    Harley Davidson tourer

    • MS Paint on 27/05/2025 - 10:28
      +7

      OP made it quite clear

      Hang on. I think you're on to something here. No mention of excluding motorcycles.

      • Gotchas on 27/05/2025 - 10:37
        +8

        Yep.

        What about a retired Melbourne cup horse and cart

    • CheapandUsed on 27/05/2025 - 10:52

      Neighbours will love him

  • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2025 - 10:28
    +4

    Polestar is worth looking at. I sat in the work one we had in the backseat and at 6'3" there was so much room (usually I'm bumping my head on the room). The headroom is even higher in the front seat

    A quick google suggests it's designed for people up to 7'.

    • vicerum on 29/05/2025 - 21:05

      Which Polestar? There's a few different ones.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2025 - 21:42

        Whoops, Polestar 2.

    • Rally Dave on 05/06/2025 - 20:46

      Polestar 2 is crap in room. Hired one throughout last holidays. Back especially poor with cousin at 6.1 having to slouch and hitting his head on every bump. Worst car for space I've ever had. And only designed for max 5. You must be thinking of something else. Very bad advice.

      • snuke on 06/06/2025 - 19:52

        It's fine up front, but shite in the rear, so maybe fine of you don't need rear room.

  • 30year old Camry on 27/05/2025 - 10:30

    Get a 30 year old "Wide Body" Camry

  • Hybroid on 27/05/2025 - 10:38
    +4

    Questions like this are always odd. You'll get plenty of joke comments, but also just people throwing random car names at you. Plenty of them don't suit you for whatever reason we wouldn't know. So now what.

    Just go to an area that has plenty of car dealerships and check them out in person. Usually cars are unlocked and you can climb in, readjust seats, get a feel of the size, check the sticker price on the sunvisor, then request a test drive if you want a driving feel.

    Peter Warren Automotive in Warwick Farm has about 20 dealers in the same area. Have a walk around and see what's what: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aKfhndZXkRXoqRV77

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 11:19
      -1

      The question isn't odd. The forum has had similar questions "help me choose a car".

      Some of the responses have not been helpful at all, and/or have completely ignored things I've written in the OP, but my intention was to produce at least a shortlist. But it seems like I'm going to come away from this experience without any useful information at all.

      • gromit on 27/05/2025 - 13:23
        +3

        A lot of people aren't really well informed when it comes to accommodating tall/Large people. my brother is 6"7 and I am 6"4, and the amount of times we have heard "oh such and such has a huge amount of leg/head room, this will be fine" only to find it was something we could not even drive. Worst was a small isuzu truck we rented for a move, actually had to get our mother to drive as when we went to collect it we found we could not lift our legs to depress the clutch.
        \
        so the issue you will get is a lot of bad advise mixed in with the good. I always do a quick trip around one of the car areas and just jump in lots of different vehicles so I can quickly rules out and in various options. remember not all people are tall in the same way as well so what works well for me may be completely inadequate for someone else the same height.

        • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 15:04

          What car does your brother drive right now?

          • gromit on 27/05/2025 - 17:12
            +1

            @Metaphor: He is driving a ford ranger at the moment, previously had a hilux and I think a isuzu DMax. He always goes for the extended/extra cab version as they generally have better leg room

      • cloudy on 28/05/2025 - 20:31

        Given you already noted your 3 standard deviations from mean that implies not many people are suitable to answer your question. And as you rightly point out you should try out the car first, it seems completely logical just to head to a dealership with everything for you to try. So head to Warwick farm or some other place with a 100 chooices and test drive to see for yourself.

      • jrowls on 29/05/2025 - 15:37

        i very much understand your frustrations, my blood pressure is rising just going through the comments. it's like people aren't reading anything you say.

    • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 27/05/2025 - 20:00
      +1

      You'll get plenty of joke comments,

      yeah so many troll comments. can't be bothered trying to figure out which are actually going to be helpful. I assume OP feels the same way.

  • Euphemistic on 27/05/2025 - 10:45

    Agree with hybroid. Unless anyone here is really tall and can personally recommend, the best way is to go try them yourself.

    Could chatgpt offer suggestions to narrow it down a bit?

    • Metaphor on 27/05/2025 - 11:14

      But that was my entire point. I specifically ended my OP with 'any suggestions from personal experience'.

      I'd still be trying them myself. But I don't want to waste my time or a dealer's time by trying anything and everything.

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