'Large' small car? Any ideas?

Chippy01

Thinking about getting myself a cheap runaround. Sometimes, one car is just not enough if we want to go in different directions.

By cheap, I mean cheap to buy and run, so I'm thinking smallish engine, up to 1.3/4 litre.
The thing is, I'm not really small myself. At 6' 2" and no longer as agile as I used to be, any car I get has to be as far as possible, roomy, comfortable and easy to get in and out of.

So, is there anything out there that would be classed as a large small car?

Stheno

Chippy01 wrote: »

Thinking about getting myself a cheap runaround. Sometimes, one car is just not enough if we want to go in different directions.

By cheap, I mean cheap to buy and run, so I'm thinking smallish engine, up to 1.3/4 litre.
The thing is, I'm not really small myself. At 6' 2" and no longer as agile as I used to be, any car I get has to be as far as possible, roomy, comfortable and easy to get in and out of.

So, is there anything out there that would be classed as a large small car?

What do you currently drive?

Procrastastudy

I'm 6'3 wife 6'4 - we love our Fiat 500.

Chippy01

Stheno wrote: »

What do you currently drive?

Our present car is a Prius, but that is mainly used by herself.
My main mode of transport is by motorcycle.

Alanstrainor

Ford focus 1.4. Most on here will slate the engine in that car, but it's reliable and gets the job done. If you could stretch to the 1.6 all the better.

dgt

Bravo/Stilo. Prafably a Bravo

I'm also 6ft 2 and had lots of headroom in my one

jc bamford

How about a van derived car Berlingo Multispace or Fiat Doblo etc, loads of room and nice high driving position

ninty9er

If its for exclusively city driving, and I can't stress the word exclusively enough, then you won't go far wrong with a Fiat Panda, dirt cheap and certainly more nippy than a 1.4 Focus.

MaxyJazz

Procrastastudy wrote: »

I'm 6'3 wife 6'4 - we love our Fiat 500.

She must be in high heels

Marcusm

Chippy01 wrote: »

Thinking about getting myself a cheap runaround. Sometimes, one car is just not enough if we want to go in different directions.

By cheap, I mean cheap to buy and run, so I'm thinking smallish engine, up to 1.3/4 litre.
The thing is, I'm not really small myself. At 6' 2" and no longer as agile as I used to be, any car I get has to be as far as possible, roomy, comfortable and easy to get in and out of.

So, is there anything out there that would be classed as a large small car?

Doorway access an be as important as seat room. A 3 door car has longer doors providing for easier access than a 5 door equivalent. Beyond that I think you have to try them out as height alone is not the most significant factor but the distribution of that height - long trunk, long thighs, short legs. 2 people of the same height can have completely different experiences of a car. For example, I coud never find a comfortable driving position in an Astra (2008 vintage) nor in a 5 door version of the mk6 Golf but find a Mini fits me fine. That being said, the Countryman has more restricted access and tighter seat position than a standard Mini despite being substantially bigger. I love the Fiat 500 but find that the incline as it moves toward the roofline is restricting. By contrast, a Lancia/Chrysler Ypsilon fitted me perfectly despite those having very similar builds.

JJJJNR

SEAT LEON - It has the 1.6 16v engine so is a lot better than the same golf/A3/Octavia of that era which were mostly lumped with the 8v, plenty of room and a nice drive also.

Chippy01

Marcusm wrote: »

Doorway access an be as important as seat room. A 3 door car has longer doors providing for easier access than a 5 door equivalent. Beyond that I think you have to try them out as height alone is not the most significant factor but the distribution of that height - long trunk, long thighs, short legs. 2 people of the same height can have completely different experiences of a car. For example, I coud never find a comfortable driving position in an Astra (2008 vintage) nor in a 5 door version of the mk6 Golf but find a Mini fits me fine. That being said, the Countryman has more restricted access and tighter seat position than a standard Mini despite being substantially bigger. I love the Fiat 500 but find that the incline as it moves toward the roofline is restricting. By contrast, a Lancia/Chrysler Ypsilon fitted me perfectly despite those having very similar builds.

Thanks for the replies guys.
As Marcusm pointed out above, I guess it will be a case of ''see what fits''.
Let the search begin.