Overweight driver...best car?

splinter65

Hi guys!
In your esteemed opinion which is the best car on the Irish market for the overweight driver.
We don’t want a big petrol guzzler or even a saloon car as there’s just two of us.
Just something roomy that’s easy to get in and out of. Thanks!

colm_mcm

Are ye tall?

What’s the budget?

flazio

How big would we be talking about. I'm thinking along the lines of cars that usually get conversions in the back for wheelchairs like the Ford Torneo connect, Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo etc.

Dravokivich

You'll only know what's easy to get in and out of, when you go do it yourself.

You haven't really mentioned a budget or what youd be keen on. The concept of a "gas guzzler" really is an American thing with over sized and under powered engines.

splinter65

colm_mcm wrote: »

Are ye tall?

What’s the budget?

Yeah 6’4” both overweight and the budget is 8000

harr

splinter65 wrote: »

Hi guys!
In your esteemed opinion which is the best car on the Irish market for the overweight driver.
We don’t want a big petrol guzzler or even a saloon car as there’s just two of us.
Just something roomy that’s easy to get in and out of. Thanks!

My dad recently got a Peugeot 3008 because a back issue was making getting in and out of the Volvo difficult..

splinter65

flazio wrote: »

How big would we be talking about. I'm thinking along the lines of cars that usually get conversions in the back for wheelchairs like the Ford Torneo connect, Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo etc.

We’re looking for plenty of room up front, we only want to spend about 8000. Thanks.

Dravokivich

splinter65 wrote: »

Yeah 6’4” both overweight and the budget is 8000

Yaris? Cabin is roomier than they look for a small car.

splinter65

harr wrote: »

My dad recently got a Peugeot 3008 because a back issue was making getting in and out of the Volvo difficult..

Thanks that’s an idea.

Rows Grower

splinter65 wrote: »

Yeah 6’4” both overweight and the budget is 8000

Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson up to 2010 are roomy and comfortable, can't vouch for newer models.

splinter65

Dravokivich wrote: »

You'll only know what's easy to get in and out of, when you go do it yourself.

You haven't really mentioned a budget or what youd be keen on. The concept of a "gas guzzler" really is an American thing with over sized and under powered engines.

I mean we’re not interested in any of the people carrier or Santa Fe type things.

splinter65

We’re driving a 2011 Skoda Fabia at the moment and it’s very cramped .

_Brian

is it stil a thing that 2 door cars tend to have wider door openings, make life easier if they have.

I’d be thinking focus or golf sized car, anything smaller would be a tight squeeze for the larger person.

There’s also a rotating section that can be added to a seat to make access easier.

colm_mcm

splinter65 wrote: »

We’re driving a 2011 Skoda Fabia at the moment and it’s very cramped .

Skoda Roomster would be worth a look. Is the Fabia cramped width wise?

_Brian

colm_mcm wrote: »

Skoda Roomster would be worth a look. Is the Fabia cramped width wise?

Are they not the same ugly woman with a different dress on ?

Rows Grower

splinter65 wrote: »

We’re driving a 2011 Skoda Fabia at the moment and it’s very cramped .

I drove a 191 Avensis at the weekend, it looks awesome from outside but it's fairly small inside and awkward enough to get in and out of.

colm_mcm

_Brian wrote: »

Are they not the same ugly woman with a different dress on ?

No, it’s her slightly wider sister. Cousin of Golf.

punisher5112

Ford Kuga....

Or similar as the height and so easy to get in and out.

Most saloon type are difficult to get in or out of....

Mondeo is great for leg room but I damaged my knee getting in and out....

I now have trouble getting in and out of most saloon or hatch.

I know you say you're not interested in bigger cars, which will make things more difficult for you, I suppose, as a smaller car will naturally have lesser space.

I'm about 20 stone. So not small by any means, but I find that I'm rarely ever cramped into a car (mind you I'm only 5'10").

But I do love space, and never having to worry about room in the back, so I spent about 2,500 on a 2007 Ford Galaxy not too long ago, and I loved it. Ended up writing it off in an accident, but would like to think I'd own another one again down the line. The space up front in them is massive. Oodles of room. I expected it was just gonna be a Focus inside, but it's completely different. If you really are big enough that you find a lot of cars awkward to get in and out of, I'd strongly advise you take a spin in a Galaxy.

It's also high off the ground so you're not sitting down into it, and pulling yourself upwards out of it.

Plus you can get them cheap and cheerful so long as you don't want it to be really new. Mine wasn't too bad on diesel if i recall correctly.

Rows Grower

Didn't that big French rugby player that got knocked out in a Limerick nightclub used to drive a Smart car?

gctest50

splinter65 wrote: »

Hi guys!
In your esteemed opinion which is the best car on the Irish market for the overweight driver.
We don’t want a big petrol guzzler or even a saloon car as there’s just two of us.
Just something roomy that’s easy to get in and out of. Thanks!

Saloon car but ..... one of the best for that requirement :

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-w123-240d/22518563

Rows Grower

gctest50 wrote: »

Saloon car but ..... one of the best for that requirement :

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-w123-240d/22518563

Have you ever actually driven one of those? I have, they are not roomy.

And that one has the steering wheel on the wrong side for Irish roads.

Besides the fact it is one of the few types the OP is specifically not interested in.

Best of luck with sale.

bazz26

A Honda Jazz might be worth a look at. They are not big on the outside but they are certainly roomy on the inside.

Fann Linn

Ssang Yongs are monsters.

Heres Johnny

Rows Grower wrote: »

Didn't that big French rugby player that got knocked out in a Limerick nightclub used to drive a Smart car?

Sebastian Chabal? He did at one stage but he looked silly in it

Marcusm

splinter65 wrote: »

Yeah 6’4” both overweight and the budget is 8000

I’m 6’5”, 30 stone, is that overweight? I fit very comfortably in a standard Mini, even for 300 mile straight drives (I probably weighed 5 stone more when I did this regularly). YMMV but the answer to this would be best found by hopping in and out of multiple cars.

MetzgerMeister

MOD: I've had to delete posts that should not have been posted.

The OP didn't ask for lifestyle tips so let's please keep on topic and not post anything like that again.

colm_mcm

Marcusm wrote: »

I’m 6’5”, 30 stone, is that overweight? I fit very comfortably in a standard Mini, even for 300 mile straight drives (I probably weighed 5 stone more when I did this regularly). YMMV but the answer to this would be best found by hopping in and out of multiple cars.

Can you fit comfortably in a Fabia?

MrMusician18

colm_mcm wrote: »

Can you fit comfortably in a Fabia?

A 30st driver and three other relatively normal size adults would put a Fabia overweight.

How would a Fabia handle with such a mass in the front right I wonder? I had my Passat laden with 150kg in the boot and it didn't feel right/normal.

Heebie

I'm somewhat heavy. (160kg at 184cm) and I find the front seats of my Toyota Auris comfortable, and easy to get into and out of.

colm_mcm

MrMusician18 wrote: »

A 30st driver and three other relatively normal size adults would put a Fabia overweight.

How would a Fabia handle with such a mass in the front right I wonder? I had my Passat laden with 150kg in the boot and it didn't feel right/normal.

You are correct. Assuming the other 3 are all 15-16 stone and there’s no luggage.

splinter65

Thank you all so much for all the tips. We are considering them all.

Mundo7976

Im 6’1 and quite heavy, just got rid of a passat which i felt was very spacious and could manage to squeeze 5 in!

ShadowHearth

I just wonder how heavy are we talking here? At my prime I was 185cm (5"11?) And 128kg.
Never really felt cramped in any cars. I even owned Mazda mx5 and still felt very comfortable in it.
I know op wants a small car, so if you are same size as I was, then majority of cars will be fine.
If more then that, maybe something like Ford C-max or S-max? C-max would be small form, but pretty specious inside. S-max would be just fine for any size.

ELM327

As two larger people we commute every day in a Skoda Superb 2nd gen and have no room issues

Marcusm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Can you fit comfortably in a Fabia?

Thankfully i’ve Never tried! Is it much smaller than the driver’s seat of an Octavia. I’ve had those as rentals very regularly and find them very comfortable.

My most disappointing experience was an 08 XJR; the key position interferes with my right knee. A similar experience with the convertible version of an Alfa Berra.

This is why I think you need to hop in and out and see what works for each person’s body.

Marcusm

ELM327 wrote: »

As two larger people we commute every day in a Skoda Superb 2nd gen and have no room issues

I’d be surprised if anyone had problems in a Superb! I’ve done 400 miles in a day in a Mini with a similarly sized brother without hassle (or at least no hassle due to the size of the car).

MrMusician18

Marcusm wrote: »

I’d be surprised if anyone had problems in a Superb! I’ve done 400 miles in a day in a Mini with a similarly sized brother without hassle (or at least no hassle due to the size of the car).

I find it hard to believe you could carry two 30 stone men in a mini, at least in any sort of comfort.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/03/12/3A05E65F00000578-3900628-image-m-45_1478176517200.jpg

60 some is close to a minis Max carrying capacity afaik.

mark26ireland

Smart Car?

Pintman Paddy Losty

I'm 17 stone and drive an audi Q8. It's very roomy for me. The wife gives out that it's too high and she struggles to drive it but that suits me to be honest.

Marcusm

MrMusician18 wrote: »

I find it hard to believe you could carry two 30 stone men in a mini, at least in any sort of comfort.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/03/12/3A05E65F00000578-3900628-image-m-45_1478176517200.jpg

60 some is close to a minis Max carrying capacity afaik.

I have a 62” chest, 54” waist. Hard to find a scales big enough but I am going to say 30 stone or near enough at that stage. It was a 2009 Cooper S convertible (black with JCW stying pack and cream leather interior). I actually find getting in and out of my Minis (on 3rd one) easier than my 2005 Range Rover 4.2SC. They are also less tiring from driving, perhaps because of less wind noise.

Marcusm

Pintman Paddy Losty wrote: »

I'm 17 stone and drive an audi Q8. It's very roomy for me. The wife gives out that it's too high and she struggles to drive it but that suits me to be honest.

I think it’s ironic that the Q8 is smaller than Q7. Perhaps s silly observation.

MrMusician18

Marcusm wrote: »

I have a 62” chest, 54” waist. Hard to find a scales big enough but I am going to say 30 stone or near enough at that stage. It was a 2009 Cooper S convertible (black with JCW stying pack and cream leather interior). I actually find getting in and out of my Minis (on 3rd one) easier than my 2005 Range Rover 4.2SC. They are also less tiring from driving, perhaps because of less wind noise.

You've done it so I won't doubt you. It must be a bit roomier than it appears from the outside at least.

Spook_ie

Look to the cars that overweight taximen drive, Skoda Octavia, Superb for my money.

5'11" too many stones according to doctor

Marcusm

MrMusician18 wrote: »

You've done it so I won't doubt you. It must be a bit roomier than it appears from the outside at least.

I only responded becasue of the "I find it hard to believe...". Fact is that the ability of people to fit comfortably in cars is generally a personal thing which is why I'll continue to say to the OP, get off your ass and go try them out!

kerten

Any hatchback class above fabia would probably make you happy width wise.

I would also look at less sporty seats with large sitting area (honda jazz is good for its class).

Getting in and out easy with extra weight is all about high roof and higher seating positions. Ford focus up to 2012 had those.

Mpvs like Cmax, scenic would be super easy to live with and they are not bigger than usual hb.

Also keep eye on huge middle consoles as they give discomfort by restricting knee space.

Forgot to add that: drive volvo and saabs with leather seats before making a decision.

punisher5112

Be careful with fords as seat belts are quite tight.

I find the focus a tight fit to be honest and constantly hit my head getting in or out.

Dravokivich

Not so sure on recommending saabs. I had a saab 93. I'm a slim guy, but was encroached upon by anyone in the passenger seat that was heavy set.

LariToper

I also have to say that a Mini (ironically) has one of the roomiest cabins of any car I've been in. The problem is the seats are very low to the ground so if you thing that'd be a problem then you'd have to rule them out. Also worth noting that the Cooper S models are extremely stiffly sprung, so probably not comfortable in that sense. That being said I've carried 4 men all about 12 stone and it never felt close to bottoming out or anything like that.

kerten

Dravokivich wrote: »

Not so sure on recommending saabs. I had a saab 93. I'm a slim guy, but was encroached upon by anyone in the passenger seat that was heavy set.

I am the same with any saloon/hb car after driving MPVs, crossover/SUVs daily. It is all about what you are used to and noticing how easy to get in and out of a higher seating position.