I have been on the lookout for a slightly used 2010 or 11 BMW Z4. I currently have a pretty good lead. The Z4 is a low car. I kind of hesitate on pulling the trigger on one right now with surgery coming up but a deal is presenting itself. Does anyone have a low sports car? If so, how long after surgery was it difficult to get into and out of the car? Was the low sitting position of the car difficult for just sitting and driving after surgery? If so, for how long? I am looking at an automatic not straight drive. The seats are adjustable of course, but just low. I'd hate watch my husband drive off in it for months while he leaves his Prius with me! Just curious if anyone with a sports car could offer some advice.
Doctor Gross has a 6 or 8 week 90 degree rule, after that it still might be tough to get in a really low car. However, I have a Hyandai Elantra I use for work and it sits awful low and I was fine after 6 weeks.
I actually drove home the Saturday following my surgery for about 4 hours or so. Getting in and out was tougher in the car, in retrospect had we taken our blazer it might have been easier.
Your PT guy/girl will show you how to get in and out of vehicles, they are really good.
Chuck
By the time you're cleared to drive I would think you'd be able to figure out a drill for getting in and out of whatever you get. I drove our Dodge diesel 4x4 the first few times I drove, it was hard to get in but easy to get out, and the opposite for low cars, easy in, hard out. Don't let your hip play any role in what you get, pretty soon it won't matter, buy the car you want 8)
Hey Chuck how do you like your Hyundai ? We bought a 2 door genesis coupe with the 6 cylinder/6 speed manual, so far it's been great and it definately hauls the mail, I can see me going through tires pretty quickly haha. It's a really fun car to drive. And it's rear wheel drive so it handles normal when you push it a little, good stuff !! Good luck with your new ride Aerial 8)
Right now I can say that getting into and out of the Z4 is no all that fun. Sitting and driving it my hip is fine though. Super fun "mid life crisis" car for a married gal with no kids ;)
Quote from: B.I.L.L. on October 09, 2011, 07:40:01 PM
Hey Chuck how do you like your Hyundai ?
My Elantra is pretty much bullet proof, I have 140K on it and it's just breaking in. I drive a lot for work and it's very reliable.
Chuck
I would think if you've got the arm strength, the seat's back, and a strong handle from the roof, it shouldn't be bad at all. Getting in and out of my truck was kindof a pain. I don't have any steps and I used to throw myself in there, before the hips started going out. Can't do that now. Has to be gentle and thought out.
Well I was in and out of my gf's Versa pretty easily for the first three weeks. Then I drove my Jeep which was easy in but hurt a bit getting out. At about 6 weeks I was using my Accord. That was the worst one in and out. But after a couple of weeks it was fine.
I agree with everyone else. If it is a great deal, go for it now. Then have you husband drive you around in his Prius until you are ready to roll on your own.
Dan
Love BMWs. Had a 318 for years and put over 250,000 on it. Then traded down to a Volvo and down even further to a GMC Envoy. I say go for it.
I can't get into the Porsche yet - but I'm not trading it in - just biding my time. :)
Luanna
Aerial, I have a Lexus ES330, it doesn't sit as low as the Z4, but is lower than some. It has a couple of programmable positions which I didn't take advantage of at first. It took a little effort getting out and in until I figured to program the chair position to lift up when I hit the "second" position. I'd leave it there until I got in again, then hit the "first" position and it would lower me to a good drive position.
Any issues only lasted a couple of weeks, by them the ROM and strength had improved, as well as my ability to swing in and out of the car. After that, no problems.
I had a boxster but sold it about a year ago...before surgery.... But I can tell you that I wish I still had it! As much as I loved that car, shifting was nard because my left hip really was agitated by working the clutch....now that I'm "cured"..... I'd LOVE to row the gears and truly enjoy a manual equipped car.
If I still had it....I would thnk you would be okay in a couple months maybe? I wouldn't worry.... You will be ab,e to drive one soon enough...
Any sitting for extended periods agitated my hip for some time...even now at almost 8 months lost op...I still sometimes feel minor stiffness after sitting on a hard chair for a while....but it's very minor.... The real weakness and soreness will go away quickly.... Don't rush the process and be patient.
Figure by 2-3 months post op you'll be out for drives.... Good luck!
So my decision comes to get one now because the deal is there or wait until I am healed. I'm sure another one will come around but the new Z4 body style is rare in a slightly used car. I will not buy a brand new one on principle.....I want someone else to pay the drive off depreciation! Actually I am leaning toward waiting until after surgery and after I am healed. It would be kind of a "reward" for returning to health. I just can't see buying it now and then having it sit for a couple months.
Hi Aeriel, I do think getting in and out of a low car would be a little difficult for the first few weeks. I have a Cadillac SRX, and I have to say that was the perfect post-surgery car, not too high and not too low! Getting down low was difficult for me just at first - one of the reasons I crutched all over Walmart the day after surgery - the handicapped cart looked much too low to get in and out of comfortably.
That said, you only really have to worry about it for a few weeks, so I'd say go for it now unless you REALLY want to save something to give yourself as a reward! ;D
I have a VW Beetle with the 5 speed and turbo. I forgot to ask the doctor when I would be able to get back behind the wheel after he did my left hip. At three weeks when he was pulling the staples out he said once I was off the narcotics I could drive, that was the day after I got home. :(. The clutch has never bothered the hip and getting in and out has not been bad.
I have been watching this site for around two years and had my right hip resurfaced on May 18, 2011. Your question was the first to compel me to join and reply. We too have a Prius and Beemer Z4. I was able to get in and out of the Prius from the day I got home, the BMW however was a different story. It took me at least three months before I could sit then swing my leg up then into the car. It really didn't hurt, just difficult to do all the movement actions at one time. I am enjoying the Z4 now with this wonderful fall weather and couldn't imagine life without either of my cars.
Shelly
Quote from: hernanu on October 10, 2011, 10:20:58 AM
Aerial, I have a Lexus ES330, it doesn't sit as low as the Z4, but is lower than some. It has a couple of programmable positions which I didn't take advantage of at first. It took a little effort getting out and in until I figured to program the chair position to lift up when I hit the "second" position. I'd leave it there until I got in again, then hit the "first" position and it would lower me to a good drive position.
Any issues only lasted a couple of weeks, by them the ROM and strength had improved, as well as my ability to swing in and out of the car. After that, no problems.
Dang that is a very good idea to use the dual memory on the seats!
Quote from: Shelly on October 11, 2011, 02:56:47 PM
I have been watching this site for around two years and had my right hip resurfaced on May 18, 2011. Your question was the first to compel me to join and reply. We too have a Prius and Beemer Z4. I was able to get in and out of the Prius from the day I got home, the BMW however was a different story. It took me at least three months before I could sit then swing my leg up then into the car. It really didn't hurt, just difficult to do all the movement actions at one time. I am enjoying the Z4 now with this wonderful fall weather and couldn't imagine life without either of my cars.
Shelly
Shelly- Welcome to you. I currently have a 2011 BMW 1 series coupe. It is quite fun to drive. A promotion at work and a little mid-life crisis setting in is leaning toward the z4. My 1 series is for sale. If I can sell it, I will likely go for a used 2010 or 2011 z4. I love the new body style with the convertible hardtop. I guess you really understand when I say the z4 is low, it is really low. In the back of my head I'm thinking it could cause issues after surgery, longer than most cars. Thanks for posting. I value your comment.
SUV, the way to go. Comfortable, upright, good view of the road, easy to drive, easy to get in and out. Fast as well, and can fit the whole family in.
Sports cars are beautiful to look at, but I am not sure I would want to drive one.
Aerial,
Looks like you've had a lot of help here, but this is my two cents. We do not have expensive cars, but my husband drives an older model Miata and I drive a '95 Toy Celica. Both of them sit very low. It was really hard to get in and out of them pre-op and especially immediately post op. But about 3 months post op, I started having an easier time, and now a little over a year later, piece of cake. I'm thinking age at HR and overall physical condition would count for a lot! If you want the car... go for it!! Where there is a will, there is a way (putting a small but raised cushion/pillow on the seat helps, too! ) Lu
My hip cost too much (it WAS worth it), so I walk everywhere now...its all I can afford. Just kidding...go for it! Curt
The car is still there! After seeing it again, I am quite certain it will be tough to get into and out of for some time after surgery. However, I can use my arms to lower into and arise from the seat but there is alot of hip flexion required to get in and out. So i could buy it and see it sit for awhile or wait :-\. Certainly is an interesting point to ponder. I sort of keep hoping someone else will buy it and then my decision will be made. Instead, the dealer has lowered the price!
So what you're saying is that it's meant to be ;D
Well I bought the car and I am picking it up on Thursday. Funny thing is the car only has 4,500 miles on it and comes with a joint replacement story. It was owned by an older gentleman who traded it in for another BMW because he had a knee replacement and the car was too hard to get into and out of! So the question of how I will do with such a low car after surgery remains to be seen! The other ironic thing is I decided to go forth with the car the same day I got approval for my surgery from my insurance.....this car already has a strange relationship to my hip!
Good for you! Congratulations. Now you'll have a new hip and a new car!
Luanna
The car will be difficult for only a short while, then it'll be proof you're able to do whatever you want. Congrats and it looks like it has good karma.
I hardly think it qualifies as a "hippy car.". Isn't that like a Volkswagen van?
Sounds like you have a great car to look forward to after recovery.
Dan
Quote from: DGossack on October 26, 2011, 11:59:49 AM
I hardly think it qualifies as a "hippy car.". Isn't that like a Volkswagen van?
Sounds like you have a great car to look forward to after recovery.
Dan
Nope it's a mid-life crisis car! :)
Congratulations! After the first 6 weeks, you won't have any trouble getting in and out of the car. Maybe it will even provide extra incentive to do your post-surgery PT exercises!
I picked up my car yesterday! Love it. My husband loves it too. I am sure he would be willing to swap his Prius for the z4 for awhile after surgery. I think the key after surgery will be parking with enough room to get the doors all the way open. If I can open the door all the way, I can get in and out really using my arms which will make it easier on my hip. I think I will have to manually assist my leg (e.g., lift) it into the car after surgery (right leg).