thread: Small car that I can sit upright in?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    8,369

    Small car that I can sit upright in?

    I will need a new car soon. I need the following:

    1. Low insurance group.
    2. Fuel-efficiant and small.
    3. I can sit upright and not with my legs almost flat out in front of me.

    Any suggestions?
    Thank you!


    (If possible, DH would like the following as well: not French, not a new Mini, small engine, easy to repair and maintain.)

  2. #2
    Registered User

    May 2011
    Adelaide
    747

    Look at an Echo/Yaris. That's what I have and I sit quite high in it. I hate driving DF's car which is a Fairlane cause I sit so low. Toyota's are also very reliable, I get just over 600km to a tank and parts should you ever need them are cheap.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jan 2004
    Melbourne, Australia
    1,002

    I guess you would have them over there - VOlkswagon golf are popular as small cars amongst the guys at work so guess they would be big enough for you.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    Ford Focus

    ETA How tall are you? My dad used to drive my focus and he was 6 foot 1.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Add Starfish on Facebook

    Apr 2007
    Sydney
    1,759

    Are after a manual or an automatic?
    Manuals are usually more fuel efficient.
    From memory I think you're about the same height as me (there was a tall girls thread somewhere, wasn't there?), so if I were you I would stay away form Chinese cars - they are just not comfortable. Do you have Honda Civics where you live? I have had several Honda Civic models and found that they seem to tick all the boxes.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    1,975

    My BIL is 6ft 8in and drives a Toyota Yaris. Watching him fold himself into it is very entertaining but he says he has plenty of head and leg room.

  7. #7
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Nov 2005
    Langwarrin. Victoria
    1,654

    Nissan tiida has a high seat.....my parents have one and it is sooo much higher than my Astra.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    Mornington Peninsula, Vic
    1,624

    Renault Scenic

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    8,369

    Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies. I'm almost 6' in height, up to 6'5 in heels (although I usually keep a pair of driving shoes in the car and switch, but I get in and out the car in heels).

    We do have a wide range of cars over here - some of the names are a bit different (eg your Tiida is my Pixo, I think) but we do get most of the main brands. I'm not too worried about squeezing into the car, just that I can sit like I do in a proper seat - or as if driving a 4x4 - as I find those cars easier to drive and my driving improves in those as my arms reach the wheel comfortably/the wheel isn't on top of my legs. (DH doesn't have this problem and prefers to sit with his legs in front of him, which means he is NEVER allowed to pick a car for me again, the last one he picked was uncomfortable to drive and had other issues. Not least that it's written off now.)

    eta - I'm on a limited budget, so would prefer less expensive cars. It's just for getting me to work and back so doesn't need to be large or fast, for long trips/holidays we will use DH's car. Plus parking space is limited at the front of the house, so we need something small. A really small one may fit in the garage with DH's old mini, which would be a bonus!

    Any more suggestions?