Tips on Buying Cars: SUV Purchase, split bench seat, lincoln town car


Question
I own a 1999 Tahoe and love it.  I would like to buy another but I am having no luck at all trying to find something that has the one feature I absolutely must have....no bucket seats in the front.  I am a large man with a bad hip and the bucket seats and related console are murdeer for me.  My Tahoe has a 60/40 front split bench seat in leather.  That would be ideal.

Is there one car maker out there that makes such an SUV?  Or large car?  Help!

Thanks

Answer
Tough situation, I know.  Last year's Ford Expedition was available with a front bench, as was the Lincoln Town Car.  Well, what THEY call a bench seat- it's really two wide buckets with a cushion in the middle.  They're not true bench seats, but at least there isn't a hard console in between to "cramp your style."  

I happen to own not one but two Town Cars, and frankly I'm spoiled.  Large, comfortable and roomy?  Of course, but I just love the way they drive, I get 21 mpg around town and 25 on a trip, and here's the best part:  they're incredibly reliable and cheap to maintain.  My '96 just turned 99,000 miles, and the '92 has 156,000 mi.  I wouldn't hesitate to drive either one cross-country.  If you can't find an SUV to suit your needs, take a serious look at a Lincoln.