Replacing Car Seat

[oiprocs]

I recently switched vehicles, from a 2006 Camry XLE to a 2009 Camry SE. Everything is good, except the seats on the 09. Short distances, no biggie. I tend to travel a lot though, and the longer I sit in the seat, the more my lower back hurts.

I've tried adjusting the seat many times, but I can't seem to find a good spot. I read that lower back pain can be somewhat mitigated by raising the seat as high as it can go, and staying close to 90 degrees on the back rest. Needless to say, this helped a bit, but I'm still not satisfied.

The seat on my 06 model was GREAT. I could ride in it for hours. I'm at the point where I want replace the seat altogether, and I thought about going back to the 06 seat, but I learned online that a replacement seat would cost roughly $2700.

Advice? I either find some kind of pillow/support mechanism for my existing seat, or I buy a new seat (yikes), or I head to a junkyard in search for a 06 Camry XLE.

 

[Ferzerp]

<3 the adjustable lumbar support in my car.

 

[deadken]

The real question you need to decide is: how much are you willing to spend on this?

I'd decide on that first, and then move accordingly. Start by checking the junkyards. If you find a good working candidate, you could have it re-upholstered if necessary. I spent under $900 to have (2) front seats upholstered in leather. They were likely smaller then the one you are talking about, but that should give you an idea for a starting point. FWIW: I probably wouldn't have chosen leather if I was going to do them again...

BTW: I'm not sure that the one model year ('06) seats were so special, I'd suggest you ask for the XLE seats. If you find one, and it isn't from a 2006, then see how it feels before you buy it.

 

[nerp]

<3 the adjustable lumbar support in my car.

Same. I didn't realize I had it in my car until I was futzing with the buttons and felt it pushing in my lower back. Ahhh. I can move it up and down for a mini-massage.