No love for 'City Cars' in Ireland?

kevin65

You know, the class A cars such as Aygo / Citroen C1 / Peugeot 107, VW Up, Fiat 500, etc.

These cars are much more popular in Europe than in Ireland. Is it the term 'city car' that puts people off, or is there a perception in Ireland that these aren't 'proper' cars?

ba_barabus

There is a big snobbery IMHO that small cars in Ireland are for new drivers and once you know how to drive you can have a 'big' one. Helps explain why so many people get a big car with base spec too.

Personally I'm strongly considering getting a Fiat 500 next if I can get my finances in order.

corkgsxr

No its European citys are much bigger. Alot never leave them. Here we have to go on dual carriageways alot more. Basically alot more driving outside main citys.

City cars just dont feel as safe on bigger roads

mike65

They may also suffer a poor price/value ratio perception.

RandomAccess

You pay most of the same running costs of a larger car, but without the extra space/utility. Are they really that popular in Europe?
And I wouldn't put the Fiat 500 in the same class, it's a little larger.

JoeA3

All the above. I think the SMART car, for example, was very expensive for what it was when launched here, I.e. Focus/Golf money and people wouldn't pay that for a tonka toy.

A lad I know, with Peter Crouch dimensions (bean pole) drives a Toyota Aygo. Can't help but chuckle anytime I see him squeezed into it.

Rabbo

corkgsxr wrote: »

No its European citys are much bigger. Alot never leave them. Here we have to go on dual carriageways alot more. Basically alot more driving outside main citys.

City cars just dont feel as safe on bigger roads

This.

We don't have massive expanses of urban sprawl which these cars are designed for. Much of the population lives in rural areas and even in the cities, you are never too far away from a dual-carriageway/motorway.

Unless most of your driving is through city streets, a city car just isnt suitable,

For Forks Sake

JoeA3 wrote: »

All the above. I think the SMART car, for example, was very expensive for what it was when launched here, I.e. Focus/Golf money and people wouldn't pay that for a tonka toy.

A lad I know, with Peter Crouch dimensions (bean pole) drives a Toyota Aygo. Can't help but chuckle anytime I see him squeezed into it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQJAfwes9Fs

John_Rambo

I have a cheap little city car for the days I don't cycle and the city/urban runaround. It's cheaper than using the big engined motorway muncher. It's 100 times better to park, manoeuvre and drive in the city. its dirt cheap to run and I picked it up for the price of a new (decent) road bike.

5500

There's a bit of a following for Japanese kei car's here, which I'd much rather have use to their quirkyness more than anything else.

At the moment I'm looking to buy a Suzuki alto works



660cc turbo, a rake of aftermarket parts available and a fun little run even if it looks like a microwave. Kei cars are plentiful in japan and I wouldn't be surprised if more start popping up on our shores with higher tax and running costs for your average car

galwaytt

kevin65 wrote: »

You know, the class A cars such as Aygo / Citroen C1 / Peugeot 107, VW Up, Fiat 500, etc.

These cars are much more popular in Europe than in Ireland. Is it the term 'city car' that puts people off, or is there a perception in Ireland that these aren't 'proper' cars?

...I looked for an Aygo or C1 lately. They're outrageously overpriced. ...

Cheapest on DD is €2950 for an 07 ? Seriously ? That's 6 years old !


AND its LHD !!

Dord

kevin65 wrote: »

You know, the class A cars such as Aygo / Citroen C1 / Peugeot 107, VW Up, Fiat 500, etc.

These cars are much more popular in Europe than in Ireland. Is it the term 'city car' that puts people off, or is there a perception in Ireland that these aren't 'proper' cars?

They're not unpopular. They are visible on the streets but it's just that tastes here are different... and most of these come with petrol engines rather than diesel. :pac:

John_Rambo

Kei cars are the bees. I have an awful yearning for the 100 bhp fiat panda myself!

Dord

galwaytt wrote: »

...I looked for an Aygo or C1 lately. They're outrageously overpriced. ...

Cheapest on DD is €2950 for an 07 ? Seriously ? That's 6 years old !


AND its LHD !!

Don't even attempt to look for an iQ! You'd have a heart attack... :eek:

Sabre Man

I think the Fiat 500 looks cool.