jeeden
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- July 25, 2000
- Messages
- 289
- Reaction score
- 2
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2011 Ford Explorer
I have owned 92, 03, 07, and now a 11 explorer and have never had any problems sitting in any of the seats. That's right, every time I have bought one, I have made a point of climbing in and sitting with belts in every seat in the vehicle. Mainly because I was curious how comfortable it was, but also because I wanted to know how it would do for other people. I'm running 265lbs and am 6'4" and while I wouldn't want to do a trip for more than 2 hours in the 3rd row at my size, many of my smaller friends have.
I will concede that if you have two car seats in the middle row on the sides, the middle seat is impossibly tight. However, I blame this on the mammoth size they are making kids car seats these days. The carriers aren't so bad, the upright seats are ok, but once you get to booster seats it gets pretty crazy.
As others have said, what do you expect at this point? Really ask yourself if you plan on having any resolution to this? Your only play is to break the lease, try to wiggle out of it with the dealer because of the seats, pay the penalty, whatever. Then curse Ford and go by an expedition, Yukon, MDX or something.
Just for kicks though, let's take a look at a photo here and discuss:
Here is your rear seat:
Obviously the seat in the middle is very narrow. However, I always smile when folks (yes, 3 in a row) get in the seat and close the door and squish in waiting for the door to hit them and it doesn't. They are amazed at how much room is on the outside near the doors and they have room to spread out their arms, etc.
Back to your issue: When you say sitting on the buckle, are you talking about sitting on the plastic covers for the mounts where the bottom hits the back or the actual buckle with the red button to put the clip in. If it is the plastic part, your not supposed to be sitting on those. You ass is supposed to be slightly forward of those and they are in the natural airspace around the small of your back. Unless your strapped into the seat like an Apollo astronaut, I'm not sure how you could have 100% contact of your entire body from your hamstrings to your shoulder blades.
If you are talking about the distance between the red button buckles, I think you should do a test. Starting at one side of the vehicle, measure the distance from the side of the leather to the red button buckle. Then between the two red button buckles. then from the red button buckle to the side of the leather on the third seat. You would have measure your way across the vehicle. I bet all three dimensions are very close, if not exact.
I will concede that if you have two car seats in the middle row on the sides, the middle seat is impossibly tight. However, I blame this on the mammoth size they are making kids car seats these days. The carriers aren't so bad, the upright seats are ok, but once you get to booster seats it gets pretty crazy.
As others have said, what do you expect at this point? Really ask yourself if you plan on having any resolution to this? Your only play is to break the lease, try to wiggle out of it with the dealer because of the seats, pay the penalty, whatever. Then curse Ford and go by an expedition, Yukon, MDX or something.
Just for kicks though, let's take a look at a photo here and discuss:
Here is your rear seat:
Obviously the seat in the middle is very narrow. However, I always smile when folks (yes, 3 in a row) get in the seat and close the door and squish in waiting for the door to hit them and it doesn't. They are amazed at how much room is on the outside near the doors and they have room to spread out their arms, etc.
Back to your issue: When you say sitting on the buckle, are you talking about sitting on the plastic covers for the mounts where the bottom hits the back or the actual buckle with the red button to put the clip in. If it is the plastic part, your not supposed to be sitting on those. You ass is supposed to be slightly forward of those and they are in the natural airspace around the small of your back. Unless your strapped into the seat like an Apollo astronaut, I'm not sure how you could have 100% contact of your entire body from your hamstrings to your shoulder blades.
If you are talking about the distance between the red button buckles, I think you should do a test. Starting at one side of the vehicle, measure the distance from the side of the leather to the red button buckle. Then between the two red button buckles. then from the red button buckle to the side of the leather on the third seat. You would have measure your way across the vehicle. I bet all three dimensions are very close, if not exact.
