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Mysterious seat height differences 2007 vs. 2008?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Caroline8, Jun 11, 2017.

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  1. Caroline8

    Caroline8 New Member

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    I'm hoping your collective expertise here can help me: I have driven a 2007 Prius and the seat was fine for me. According to all specs I can find online, the 2008 Touring edition should be the exact same seats and car body placement, but it was not. My head was practically hitting the top of the car and I couldn't see well. We drove 2hrs to buy it but had to turn around and go home. :(

    As I continue my search for used a used Prius, I'm wondering what I should do differently? Are online specs unreliable? I thought the seats didn't change until the next gen? I want to figure it out before I have another wasted 4 hr round trip. :(

    (PS- I've had 2 back surgeries so seat placement is super important to me. I'm a somewhat tall woman-- 5'7-- but have never felt like I was hitting my head in a car)
     
    #1 Caroline8, Jun 11, 2017
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The prius seats are not very supportive, if you have back issues, maybe you need a different car
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 11, 2017
  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Caroline8 - that is strange about the 2008 Touring...
    I do not think we are expecting front seat height difference like that, perhaps Tideland Prius can comment.
    Possibly the orig owner modified the seat, There are some aftermarket seat rails for the Gen2 which allow the front seat to go back further, as Gen2 has legendary rear seat leg space because the front seats do not go back very far. I have wondered on 2016 Gen4 if spacers are used under the rear seat to achieve level floor with the hatch.
     
    #3 wjtracy, Jun 11, 2017
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  4. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    On our Gen 1 Prii, all the seats are the same, completely interchangeable. This is the Gen 1 subsection, you might do better by posting in the correct section.
     
    #4 Brian in Tucson, Jun 11, 2017
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  5. Caroline8

    Caroline8 New Member

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    Sorry I did mean to post in gen 2
     
    #5 Caroline8, Jun 11, 2017
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...by the way sunroof makes difference but I do not even know if sunroof is an option.
    I never get sunroof for the reason my head is too close.
     
    #6 wjtracy, Jun 11, 2017
  7. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Caroline, I'll repeat this here in case you didn't see it in the other thread.

    "We went from a 2006 with cloth seats to a 2008 Touring with leather seats and noticed a small difference but not that much. We attributed it to the cloth seats being a touch more cushioned and flexible allowing us to "sink in" a little bit more. Definitely not to the extent you did. I'm 6'1 and my wife is 5'8". We fit okay in the cars from both years.

    Space is also affected by how far forward and tilted the seat is. A subtle variation as little as one notch in the leg distance or tilt makes a big difference in these cars, more than we've experienced in other cars. Are you sure the seat was adjusted EXACTLY the same in both cars you drove?"

    ADD - JC91006 is right. The 2008 seat are poor when it comes to support. We added seat cushions with lumbar supports to ours.
     
    #7 srellim234, Jun 12, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why has this thread been stickied?
     
    #8 bisco, Jun 12, 2017
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  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I was thinking the same thing.
     
    #9 dolj, Jun 14, 2017
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  10. gta_

    gta_ Active Member

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    I think we all are lol.
     
    #10 gta_, Jun 15, 2017
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