Car for a short person

Mars Bar

Hi everyone,

I'm doing my lessons at the moment and am doing research into purchasing a used car.

One issue I have is that I stand at a pathetic 4ft 11 inches so I have to ramp the seat up and in towards the steering wheel. Of course, this is dangerous in itself in that an air bag would probably do me damage if I was to crash!

Has anyone any experience in a make and model of a car that is fairly adjustable?
Can pedals be extended?

Mars Bar

Mycroft H

Friend of mine drives a Ducato van with a booster seat. No joke. Maybe something to look into.

Mars Bar

BX 19 wrote: »

Friend of mine drives a Ducato van with a booster seat. No joke. Maybe something to look into.

The pure shame of having to use a booster seat will kill me. I'd never let anyone inside the car!

advertsfox

Ford Ka / Citreon C1 / Hyundai i10 / Fiat 500 / Toyota Aygo

SmithG

Fiat 500 Arbath

pred racer

Two of my sisters are a scant half inch taller than you, one drives a laguna and a kia jeep and the other a mondeo. Ive never heard either of them having a problem with any car!

kirving

Most modern cars have enough adjustment to suit almost anyone. My mother is 5ft 1 and finds a Focus grand, even without adjustable pedals. Some cars will have adjustable pedals as standard though.

Airbag shouldnt be an issue either, since many modern cars have seat position sensors which will adjust the timing of the airbag deployment so that it slows your down in the most efective way.

Mars Bar

This is all good info. It gives me a starting point when searching.

pred racer

Both of them have driven my 159 too, no problem.

H3llR4iser

Just look for a car with an adjustable height seat; I'd say most modern ones, as long as you don't go totally basic specs, will have it - even my 2001 Renault has it.

PS. nice car pred racer, you got a refined taste

ba_barabus

Thumbs up for a Fiat 500. Most cars now have great seat adjustment so you'll just have to play around with the seat to find the right position for you

MuppetCheck

A car with a good range of seating and steering adjustments can cater for most people regardless of size. I find VAG cars good in this respect (Audi, VW, Skoda, Seat).

Dord

Look for something with a height adjustable seat and adjustable steering column. With those two you should be able to adjust it to suit your height.

randy hickey

How about the Suzuki Cappucino?




http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4573776

JohnBoy26

A ford fiesta, late 90's corolla or yaris all have good high seats for a short person.

Supergurrier

I am available most days around the Galway area if you need a lap to sit on while driving (i can do the pedals yay)

testicle

Peel P50

ironclaw

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

A ford fiesta, late 90's corolla or yaris all have good high seats for a short person.

I'd -1 on the Yaris. At less than 5ft you'll be all the way forward on the seat. Not a good driving position and I'd actually say borderline dangerous.

I on the other hand am all the way back, and some at 6' 6"+ :pac:

Mars Bar

Supergurrier wrote: »

I am available most days around the Galway area if you need a lap to sit on while driving (i can do the pedals yay)

Not creepy at all! :pac:

JohnBoy26

ironclaw wrote: »

I'd -1 on the Yaris. At less than 5ft you'll be all the way forward on the seat. Not a good driving position and I'd actually say borderline dangerous.

I on the other hand am all the way back, and some at 6' 6"+ :pac:

In the second generation yaris the dash is high and the seat is low which doesn't give a great view of the road. The first generation yaris has a good driving position imo.

Calling either model "borderline dangerous" though is just ridiculous imo.

mickdw

As said already, if you get a car with height adjustable seat and steering adjustable, you should have no issues getting set up correctly being near 5 ft. Having siad that, there are an awful lot of people driving around with the steering wheel buried in their chest and I hate to think what might happen in an accident.

Tabnabs

Opel Corsa, Honda Jazz. Both grand cars for the vertically challenged...

antodeco

Renault Clio or a Pug 206

ironclaw

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

In the second generation yaris the dash is high and the seat is low which doesn't give a great view of the road. The first generation yaris has a good driving position imo.

Calling either model "borderline dangerous" though is just ridiculous imo.

I'm looking at both models right now, and I'm telling you if your just shy of 5ft then your not in a good car. Neither car is a good car for that height especially the P1 (2005 and earlier model) If you have to pull the seat all the way forward on the P1, your way too close to the wheel. I wouldn't consider it a good driving (or safe) position. The 2005 and later model is far more suited to the taller among us but a little low if your shorter.

challengemaster

Rover 75 will be grand as well.

Stinicker

Most Asian cars tend to cater better to this than European car's due to the size differences between the races. Take a look at the advertising for seat space on Singapore Airlines for example, it looks like the person has loads of room but in reality it is actually because they are so much more petite and smaller than your average European or even bigger megasized yank.

Mars Bar

Thanks everyone for your input. I've given my uncle the unenviable responsibility of sourcing out a good and affordable car for me as he has done with my aunt. I've told him to keep in mind about the height thing.

bmwguy

Mars Bar wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your input. I've given my uncle the unenviable responsibility of sourcing out a good and affordable car for me as he has done with my aunt. I've told him to keep in mind about the height thing.

My mother is 4'11 and drives a 5 series BMW that used to be my car. I'm 5'11" and 16 stone rugby player and the car suited us both fine. Its about as big a car as you can get and she loves it, there is huge movement in the seat and I have a friend 6'8" that has one too and has no problems, thats nearly a 2 foot difference. Your height will not be an issue

dgt

Years ago I sat attempted to sit into one of these and nearly had to be cut out. Would be ideal for someone much shorter than me! (6ft 2)