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My mother found this in the local news and I thought it was interesting, if only because it sounded familiar:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/06/12/at_6_foot_7_city_manager_seeks_a_better_fit_for_car/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Massachusetts+news

The cliff notes are as follows: The guy in the story is a city official who drives city vehicles, many of which are Prius. The only hich is he's 6'7" and legitimately uncomfortable with Prius ergonomics. The Explorer he drives is up for replacement at 8 years old, so the council is grudgingly budgeting $35,500 for a Tahoe.

Given that his only gripe is comfort, what fuel efficient alternative would you choose?

Try a Jetta. I'm 6'2" and I have to move the seat part way up as I can't push the clutch all the way in when the seat is all the way back. Also it has plenty of head room for me.

Ford Escape Hybrid (or the Mariner/Tribute hybrid since they are the same from a size/FE). I've got big (275lb) and tall (6'5"+) friends and relative that love the space in my 08 FEH.

I know it's not Prius MPG but it's roomy, more FE and less expensive than a Highlander Hybrid or Tahoe.

Have him go to any Ford dealership and sit in any Escape. The interior is the same on the non-hybrids as the hybrids.

Try a hybrid camry, highlander, or since it's taxpayer money why not a a Lexus hybrid.

Try a hybrid Camry, Highlander, or since it's taxpayer money why not a a Lexus hybrid.

Since it's taxpayer money, why not buy American? (I know, some Camry's are built in KY but where do the profits go?:()

There's also the Saturn Vue two-mode coming eventually but I'm betting it won't be an more roomy or much more FE than a FEH once you do a cost analysis between the two.

I'm 6'5" and just bought an 09 TCH. Every car I've had before this one required me to put the seat all the way back, sometimes slightly reclined too. The TCH has INCHES to spare on the seat (I mean, I could put it several more inches back than I do), and has lots of headroom. Stay away from getting the moonroof...it'll eat up headroom. I sat in a Prius and felt squashed with my height, but the Camry has loads of headroom/legroom for those of us who get asked to pull items from the top shelf at the store (If you're tall, you know what I mean).

Camry Hybrid. Built in Kentucky. :)

Since it's taxpayer money, why not buy American? (I know, some Camry's are built in KY but where do the profits go?:()
.

It's shocking, but Japanese execs do not make the kind of profits that American execs.

Buy an American car and support 6 digit salaries, stock incentives, etc etc. I don't think this buy American vs somewhere else makes much sense in this sort of economy. (It might if the item were food.)

BTW, I have a friend who is maybe 6"6", he loves the HCH but also didn't fit in a Prius.

--des

Motorcycle, lots of head room :P

for someone 6'7" the only real choice is a SMART car -

Headroom 39.7 inches
Legroom 41.2 inches

vs Tahoe same legroom, 1 1/4" less headroom

Since he is using this for official business only, a 2 person car should be enough.

and for $35k - the city can buy 2 SMART cars.

The Echo is very roomy too , but they dont make it anymore .. how about the yaris ?

How tall is Right Lane Cruiser? I think he's close to that. He drives an Insight. Too bad they're not available any more.

I would never go by published legroom. Honda actually claims more legroom for the Fit than VW does for the Rabbit and the Rabbit has way more legroom.

Is the 6'7 person torso tall, leggy or a balance?

For less expensive vehicles with really good legroom for the long femured crowd, some that have accomodated my 38" inseam have been:
- latest gen. Honda Accord (excellent)
- latest gen. Honda Civic (not too bad)
- latest gen. Nissan Altima (excellent)
- first gen Smart (haven't tried a 2nd gen)
- pretty well any VW model

Smart Fortwo, Toyota Echo, Datsun 280ZX, Ford Thunderbird, Ford Fiesta Diesel