Small cars for men ?

umop apisdn

What small cars can men get away with driving these day ?
(Not golfs/focus/a3 size, I'm talking about Polo/Fiesta size and smaller)

Small cars have improved drastically in recent years, and for me make a much more attractive proposition these days.

alan partridge aha

It really depends how tall you are, If your not over 6' then defo a Yaris is fine and comfy, I presume it would be the same for Polo, Clio etc. I know a guy who is 6'2'' who used to drive an old type Mini and had it for years. I don't know how comfortable he was though, I'd say not very.

umop apisdn

alan partridge aha wrote: »

It really depends how tall you are, If your not over 6' then defo a Yaris is fine and comfy, I presume it would be the same for Polo, Clio etc. I know a guy who is 6'2'' who used to drive an old type Mini and had it for years. I don't know how comfortable he was though, I'd say not very.

I'm about average height and mickey size, so size wise, the smaller car is not really an issue for me. Small cars these days are as large as the golfs/astras etc. of old.

alan partridge aha

Well the Polo looks like a small Golf so maybe it would be good and the new 1.0 engine is now cheap to tax as well.

umop apisdn

alan partridge aha wrote: »

Well the Polo looks like a small Golf so maybe it would be good and the new 1.0 engine is now cheap to tax as well.

Had a few VAG's over the years, and had nothing but bother with them and found a poor attitude from their dealers. I also hate the over pricing and sparse equipment. So in general VAG is out for me. I'd make an exception for Seat's / Skoda's though as I like the styling / better price and their dealers round here offer better customer service than the VAG/Toyota click do.

alan partridge aha

Fair enough so.

Boskowski

Probably bigger than what you want but I quite like the BMW 1 series. Bit pricey but at least they're a proper car not a tin box.

uck51js9zml2yt

My father in law is 6'5 and a big man
Drives a Suzuki swift

ba_barabus

Swift/Clio/i20/Mazda2 all seem to be pretty good small cars to me.

Whats you budget OP? Any special requirements or needs?

Leonard Hofstadter

I know someone quite a bit over 6 feet tall and he has a Citroen C1, and he seems to manage.

umop apisdn

Boskowski wrote: »

Probably bigger than what you want but I quite like the BMW 1 series. Bit pricey but at least they're a proper car not a tin box.

Small cars used to be crappy tin boxes, but I find very few of them are that these days. The standard has gone up immensely in recent years. I could nearly buy two new well equipped cars for the price of a single bog standard base model 1 series, they'd also be much better in the winter, and far more reliable than any BM. Each to their own though.

umop apisdn

ba_barabus wrote: »

Swift/Clio/i20/Mazda2 all seem to be pretty good small cars to me.

Whats you budget OP? Any special requirements or needs?

Not really, something newish, modern style, good value, well equipped, reliable, as long as it's not vag/bmw/merc/toyota. I've own most of them over the years, all sizes. I've found them over hyped, and I'm sick of looking at them on Irish roads.

alan partridge aha

umop apisdn wrote: »

Not really, something newish, modern style, good value, well equipped, reliable, as long as it's not vag/bmw/merc/toyota. I've own most of them over the years, all sizes. I've found them over hyped, and I'm sick of looking at them on Irish roads.

New Clio is a nice looking car and should hold it's value pretty well.

umop apisdn

All good enough suggestions so far, but do men get away with driving Swift/Clio/i20/Mazda2 etc. or does everyone have to look and sound like the english prat Clarkson ?

FunkyDa2

umop apisdn wrote: »

All good enough suggestions so far, but do men get away with driving Swift/Clio/i20/Mazda2 etc. or does everyone have to look and sound like the english prat Clarkson ?

As you mention Clarkson, I seem to remember that he raved over the Skoda Roomster. Failing that, how about the Hyundai ix20, or Kia Venga?

umop apisdn

FunkyDa2 wrote: »

As you mention Clarkson, I seem to remember that he raved over the Skoda Roomster. Failing that, how about the Hyundai ix20, or Kia Venga?

Clarkson and his followers hate hyundai and kia, which does makes them attractive to me all right.

professore

I quite fancy the Honda Jazz myself.

ToxicPaddy

I'm 6'2 and I've owned a VW polo, basic enough inside but I found it very comfortable to drive and put over 100k miles when I owned it on it without a bother.

I've also driven very regularly a 116i BMW, very nice car but needs the more powerful engine so 118d or 120i I'd recommend. Not holding their value too well, especially the petrols so you'd pick up a 4 or 5 year old one for handy money.

The Hyundai I20 is not bad, basic interior but a few little extras, seats are comfy and its not bad on juice. Had it as a rental a few weeks back and did 2k kilometres over a week in it. No issues whatsoever.

The new Mercedes A class is another lovely if pricey car. Get a second hand one in from the UK fully loaded and its a lovely car. Pushing into the VW golf size I know but still a lovely car.

I like the new Skoda Fabia, very comfy car to drive, decent spec, both petrol and diesel engines are nice n smooth and won't cost you a fortune to maintain.

Another one to look at is the Volvo C30, very nice looking car. Rare enough in Ireland so look to the UK to pick one up .

Ford fiesta is a nice little car, typical small reliable, small engined cheap to run and maintain. Can't really go too wrong with them.

I tend to avoid French cars as I've heard too many horror stories from friends and family members who owned them but I do like the Peugeot 208 and 209 are lovely looking cars as is the Citreon DS3.

Finally the new Suzuki Swift is also a nice looking car too and fairly comfortable inside.

googled eyes

My parents just bout a Hyundai i10. Seems very small to me ( not that I love big cars) but they are very happy with it and my dad goes golfing in it( bag and electric trolley)

umop apisdn

So the consensus is men can drive small cars ?
I had a run in an i10 a few weeks ago, must say I was very impressed, felt like a much bigger car inside and when driving it, and it was packed full of extras. Mucho fun, seemed extremely well designed and thought out ( as small cars have to be to be any good), and the 5 year warranty and servicing deal takes some beating. Also the fact its Korean, sticks it to the groupthink. Sorry now I missed the hyundai trade in deal that was going a few weeks ago.

Del2005

umop apisdn wrote: »

All good enough suggestions so far, but do men get away with driving Swift/Clio/i20/Mazda2 etc. or does everyone have to look and sound like the english prat Clarkson ?

Men drive whatever car suits their needs and don't worry about what others think.

umop apisdn

Del2005 wrote: »

Men drive whatever car suits their needs and don't worry about what others think.

This forum proves otherwise. But if you don't agree with me, I'll do my own thing anyway.

umop apisdn

As a used alternative, what's the 2008 on Seat Ibiza like ? I like the look of them.

Sleepy

Just as neither have been mentioned yet, I've had both the latest Ford Ka and Fiat 500 as rentals and found them great fun on B roads in the UK!

The 500 has some nice spec options for making the car a little more masculine as well (particularly if you could stretch to an Abarth, or find a decent second hand one from the UK)

umop apisdn

Sleepy wrote: »

Just as neither have been mentioned yet, I've had both the latest Ford Ka and Fiat 500 as rentals and found them great fun on B roads in the UK!

The 500 has some nice spec options for making the car a little more masculine as well (particularly if you could stretch to an Abarth, or find a decent second hand one from the UK)

You're right about the fun factor, I do think that small cars are much better suited, and more much more fun on Irish roads than large ones are. I don't want to stand out too much though.

bazz26

Skoda Fabia vRS.

John_Rambo

The OP question seems to ask what's acceptable regarding perception, not physical size. If it's down to physical size, any car will do unless you're freaky big. City based professorial rugby players drive small cars all over Europe, so don't start fooling yourselves that you're too big/fat/macho for small cars.

There's a bit of ego and pride issues when it comes to Irish male drivers. No matter what the commute is, some blokes need to have the big diesel car.

I drive an old petrol Clio for the creche/work run, it's practical, designed for purpose, excellent at parking in tiny spaces, it's cheap to run and easy to repair, it won't be robbed, it's reliable and it's cool with excellent and clever designs, It has good fishbowl like exterior viewing. A 5 series BMW (that some of my colleagues use) is impractical, expensive and sometimes detrimental to the car itself. The little Clio is certainly not good for a high speed long motorway runs, but perfect and very safe in a four to seven kilometer stop-start-slow speeds commute in light traffic. (mine is 3 clicks) And.. their good in ice and snow, light, skinny tyres and FWD.

A lot of drivers don't get the fun a small petrol engined car can offer. The 100bhp Fiat panda is a hoot. Even my little Clio is more driver orientated and more fun than my 230bhp turbo charged barge that we use for holidays, long trips, country drives and visits.

AMKC

FunkyDa2 wrote: »

As you mention Clarkson, I seem to remember that he raved over the Skoda Roomster. Failing that, how about the Hyundai ix20, or Kia Venga?

That was the Skoda Yeti that he raved about not the Roomster. Both are good cars do.

agent graves

Im 6'3 and drive a pink/wine ford ka... plenty of space. Its a good car for city type driving.. very loud in the cabin on the motorway if yhe road is rough.. if its the newer smooth motorway road its not as bad..

AMKC

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

I'm 6'2 and I've owned a VW polo, basic enough inside but I found it very comfortable to drive and put over 100k miles when I owned it on it without a bother.

I've also driven very regularly a 116i BMW, very nice car but needs the more powerful engine so 118d or 120i I'd recommend. Not holding their value too well, especially the petrols so you'd pick up a 4 or 5 year old one for handy money.

The Hyundai I20 is not bad, basic interior but a few little extras, seats are comfy and its not bad on juice. Had it as a rental a few weeks back and did 2k kilometres over a week in it. No issues whatsoever.

The new Mercedes A class is another lovely if pricey car. Get a second hand one in from the UK fully loaded and its a lovely car. Pushing into the VW golf size I know but still a lovely car.

I like the new Skoda Fabia, very comfy car to drive, decent spec, both petrol and diesel engines are nice n smooth and won't cost you a fortune to maintain.

Another one to look at is the Volvo C30, very nice looking car. Rare enough in Ireland so look to the UK to pick one up .

Ford fiesta is a nice little car, typical small reliable, small engined cheap to run and maintain. Can't really go too wrong with them.

I tend to avoid French cars as I've heard too many horror stories from friends and family members who owned them but I do like the Peugeot 208 and 209 are lovely looking cars as is the Citreon DS3.

Finally the new Suzuki Swift is also a nice looking car too and fairly comfortable inside.

Peugeot 209? That does not exist yet. Have you been to the future by any chance lol? Tell me is the world a much better place by then.

monkeysnapper

umop apisdn wrote: »

So the consensus is men can drive small cars ?
I had a run in an i10 a few weeks ago, must say I was very impressed, felt like a much bigger car inside and when driving it, and it was packed full of extras. Mucho fun, seemed extremely well designed and thought out ( as small cars have to be to be any good), and the 5 year warranty and servicing deal takes some beating. Also the fact its Korean, sticks it to the groupthink. Sorry now I missed the hyundai trade in deal that was going a few weeks ago.

I have a 03 Audi avant and I'm selling it because tax is to high for our 2nd car in house that barely gets used.

So I took i10 out a month ago and I agree, as old as I am, my 1st car I ever owned was a Austin metro 1 litre, this was a Hyundai I 10 1 litre and it was in a way way bigger league .( off the scale)

But I can't justify spending more money to save money . So I'll end up buying a 08/09 I 10 probably .

Cars have come on so much over past 10 years .

Nexarz

Been car shopping for a small car recently and almost missed out on possibly a really cool car.

Alfa Romeo Mito.

Small polo size but zippy and pretty good looking. 1.4 with 120bhp not bad at all.

monkeysnapper

Nexarz wrote: »

Been car shopping for a small car recently and almost missed out on possibly a really cool car.

Alfa Romeo Mito.

Small polo size but zippy and pretty good looking. 1.4 with 120bhp not bad at all.

How much tax ? What about

Reliability .........

johnnyskeleton

umop apisdn wrote: »

So the consensus is men can drive small cars ?

Yes. Most small cars these days have been designed so you can sling a deer on the bonnet, fit a bag of golf clubs in the boot and drive across rough terrain when being chased by spectre agents.

I only drive down the country as I dont need a city car, but sometimes id like to have a little kia or citygo so that i could zip down to the shops and easily find parking etc.

lalababa

I more or less treat cars as a method of transport rather than a status symbol. I'm also fairly frugal. So even though you can actually buy 'bigger' saloon cars of a similar age for less money, they are more expensive in tax/petrol/repairs/insurance than 'smaller' hatchbacks.
I live in the countryside and have noticed that practically all the younger males suddenly out of the blue turn up on the roads with absolutely nothing smaller than a 1.6 saloon. I don't think they would be caught dead in a hatchback. What exactly their thought process is, I can only guess.

lotmc

Something tall people in particular need to be conscious of is the Euro ncap crash test results. In a crash, the more confined the cabin space is, the higher the risk of serious injury. Small cabins are not good for tall people.
Small people are less likely to damage legs / hips / necks etc in crashes.
Well worth checking www.euroncap.com to see how your car scores.
Avoid anything less than 4 stars if you are tall!

ToxicPaddy

AMKC wrote: »

Peugeot 209? That does not exist yet. Have you been to the future by any chance lol? Tell me is the world a much better place by then.

Oops meant 207 and 208.. bloody fat fingers :P

umop apisdn

monkeysnapper wrote: »

I have a 03 Audi avant and I'm selling it because tax is to high for our 2nd car in house that barely gets used.

So I took i10 out a month ago and I agree, as old as I am, my 1st car I ever owned was a Austin metro 1 litre, this was a Hyundai I 10 1 litre and it was in a way way bigger league .( off the scale)

But I can't justify spending more money to save money . So I'll end up buying a 08/09 I 10 probably .

Cars have come on so much over past 10 years .

Agree, the i10 I drove has a bigger cabin than some of the golfs/astras etc. I used to own, about 10 times more kit, far more comfort, good safety equipment, a half dozen airbags, traction control and electronic stability control, cruise control, and a far superior warranty and service package than any VAG/Toyota. "Small" cars have come a long way in 10 years.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

I bought a Mini. I sometimes feel like a homo.

Zubeneschamali

umop apisdn wrote: »

I don't want to stand out too much though.

It may be a bit of a disappointment for you to learn this, but nobody else cares what you drive.

umop apisdn

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It may be a bit of a disappointment for you to learn this, but nobody else cares what you drive.

Hardly, seeing as I didn't say that. Pity you didn't bother to read what I said before you pounced. But clearly you care enough to comment, so I'll repeat it for you.
I don't care if some drives a bright yellow smart car, but I will notice it.
I hope your error is not too much of a disappointment for you.

umop apisdn

It's a rather strange comment for a motoring forum, perhaps he can't handle small cars for some reason.

John_Rambo

I know a good few people that wouldn't be seen in a small hatchback.

umop apisdn

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I drive a small car and its a TT so I get enough comments from people who think its not a "man's" car. If your hanging around with people who really care what you drive I think you have other issues :pac:

Sorry to hear that. Those comments are actually more about them than you. I don't get any negative comments about my cars, and I've driven a very wide and eclectic variety over the years, so perhaps you're right about you changing the people you hang around with, it might address your issues.

Does anyone want to talk about cars ?

Zubeneschamali

John_Rambo wrote: »

I know a good few people that wouldn't be seen in a small hatchback.

Yes, but its all in their own heads, nobody else gives a monkeys.