It will take a Recaro seat, although I have always found the front seats in the Golf to be large, comfy and easy to adjust.I would recommend that Chris go for the higher specifications (at least the SE) because, after a well-equipped Saab, no air conditioning or electric rear windows is going to be something of a disappointment. Where the Golf does stack up is on safety, with a well-designed body, plenty of airbags, and a four star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests.It's not an exciting drive, and Chris will need to pick the right engine.A CAR FOR THE HEARTIf the Saab remains the individualists choice, the Audi A3 is the sportier and sexier version. Although regarded as a little bit dull, there is no denying that the Golf is finished to a satisfyingly high standard, especially inside. The seats are not cheap, starting at £960 and rising to £1,750 if the Morfeys choose a fancy fabric, or want a climate pack (which has a heated seat cushion, just like an old Saab in fact).
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Alternatively, a specialist seat cushion supplier like benefitsnowshop.co.uk has coccyx cushions and pelvic tilt seating wedges that start from £18.00.A CAR FOR THE HEADI'd go for the full orthopaedic seat option, which is why I am consulting the Recaro seat frame guide and matching that against Chris's requirements for a quality built smaller car I would ask him to take another look at the Volkswagen Golf An older model will be within budget.Also, as these seats do not fit every car, ideally the Morfeys should speak to Recaro before choosing a car. They would recommend that Chris and his wife go along to their factory for a fitting. Saabs do indeed have brilliant seats, which is why there are two in our family. There is one option, though, which means that the Morfeys can drive the car they like, and that is by fitting an orthopaedic seat The only suppliers I know are Recaro (01926 414111).
That is why trying a car for size is utterly essential, and telling Chris which is going to be the most comfortable is almost impossible. What they want is a new(ish) small car for under £12,000 with supportive but not rock-hard seats, which is capable of both short and long journeys. Chris Morfey's question is without doubt the most common Car Choice conundrum. Motor manufacturers should take note because the majority of buyers seem to tolerate their seats and never properly get comfy. They have driven Saabs for 20 years and they found the seats and ergonomics wonderful. They have driven a lot of small cars recently looking for a replacement, from the Mini One and Cooper to the Seat Altea 1.9 TDi. Larger cars from Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Vauxhall did not have the build quality of the Saab and the VW Golf and Honda Accord both had impossibly hard seats.
