Bench seat up-front, automatic, modern... Options?

[C70R]

A bit of an oddity in PH terms, but a response to some musings from the OH. She currently has a CVT Jazz, and the gearbox is living up to its reputation, so we've decided to sell it (among other reasons).

She's always had a hankering for a Yank tank with a bench seat across the front, so that her, the dog and I can ride up-front together. Whatever your opinions, it's not inherently unsafe if the dog is attached securely (normally has a seatbelt lead), and she bloody loves that little dog! Who am I to argue?
However, living in London and being used to a small car, it would be ideal if we could find something hatchback/supermini sized (ruling out the Multipla - no kids yet anyway!).

The only thing I could think of in-budget (~£5-6k) was a Honda FRV. It might be dull as dishwater, but it seems to tick the boxes required. Then I walked past an imported Nissan Cube on my way home, and spotted the bench seat across the front and the autobox (it's technically only a 5-seater, but an additional seatbelt slot can be added).

This led me to wonder whether there were any other Japanese oddities that might fit the bench-seat bill, so I guess it's over to you lot.

[C70R]

Some odd suggestions, but appreciated all the same. Keep them coming!

[C70R]

Wow - a real mix of ideas there. Thank you all.

I think some are missing the "small" requirement, particularly with suggestions of Transits and Defenders. She currently drives a supermini, and loves having a small car (we park on the street and live in a busy area), so she's unlikely to want to significantly increase its size.

I'm speechless about that Honda thing with the sliding door. I think she'd actually kill me if I suggested that to her!

I'll take a look through the Jap Oddball thread for some inspiration, but ideas are always welcome!

[C70R]

Baryonyx said:

What's wrong with the CVT in her Jazz?

It has a tendency to judder on takeoff when cold, a common problem. We swapped the fluid out for Honda stuff, and the improvement has only been marginal.

Alongside this, the car has been used like a van during a flat renovation, and isn't wearing its mileage particularly well. I think she's fallen out of love with it a little (it was once her P&J) as a consequence, so it's time for a change.

[C70R]

powerstroke said:

I got mum a nissan cube fresh from japan its an 03 but like new for under 4k she loves it seems to go well and has a very good auto box and the engine likes to rev,
they seem to have a bit of a following people ask questions and it seems to make people smile when they see it,
as It looks more like a toaster than a car , I would say it makes a perfect town car, recommended .........

Edited by powerstroke on Thursday 28th April 17:56

Thank you! I didn't expect an owner's/buyer's review, so that's a pleasant surprise.

While it's not a 'core' PH type of car, it's a bit different and has a bit of character. Certainly more so than a Jazz!
I presume it's a Micra underneath?

Edited by C70R on Thursday 28th April 18:20

[C70R]

aeropilot said:

C70R said:

Whatever your opinions, it's not inherently unsafe if the dog is attached securely (normally has a seatbelt lead), and she bloody loves that little dog!

Hopefully she won't have to see it's neck broken as it flies towards the dashboard in an accident before the restraint belt/collar snaps it's neck......unless it's wearing a full body harness of course.


I despair at people who treat animals as surrogate humans.....

Top marks for assumption there, old chap. Probably worth winding your neck in a little, unless you like going off on random, angry tangents with no evidence.

The dog always wears a harness, whether walking or in the car. I have no need to treat him like a "surrogate human", but thank you for trying to suck the joy out of this discussion for everyone.


ETA - Same goes for dme/tedman.
I can't imagine how miserable your lives must be to come on a thread where I'm looking for advice, and for your only contribution to be a poor effort to knock my OH for enjoying the company of her dog on the front seat?
Perhaps we should all put babies in the boot too, so that you've got nothing to make snide remarks about?

Edited by C70R on Tuesday 3rd May 13:21

[C70R]

dme123 said:

Not knowing why we'd treat a baby differently to an animal kind of illustrates the point.

Oh, bless you. Still trolling? Please don't waste your energy - it's not really painting you in a great light...

Rick1.8t said:

I agree with both of them, too many people with animals crawling around all over the front of their cars while they drive along, stick it in the back of the car in your harness thing or better yet behind a dog-guard if you value its and your safety above being able to cuddle it 24/7.

I love dogs and weekly walked the OH's parents dog so i got a dog-guard and stuck it in the boot where it was safest for us both and didnt completely st the whole car up when it was muddy....

Oh, hey. You've walked a dog a few times. So, you must be the resident expert. Thanks for the reply.

As an "expert, you would know that if a small dog is properly secured, it can't "crawl around" all over the front seat. It's no more distracting than having a child or babyseat up-front. Perhaps you wouldn't recommend either of those?

I'm keen to hear you explain how an unsecured dog crashing into a dog-guard in the event of an accident is "safer" than a harnessed tether that is too short for a 9kg dog to reach the dashboard. But hey, I suppose you're the expert after all.


In the event that the unhelpful trolls don't return, have we exhausted the available options? Is there anything else to consider?

[C70R]

Gruber said:

My Defender 90 is shorter than a Polo. In many respects it is the perfect London car. High up, you can see all four corners easily, it is short, no-one messes, and it is effortlessly cool and accepted almost universally. JFDI.

Yeah... perhaps not. My OH is a little more feminine and cosmopolitan than the average PHer. Were it me, I wouldn't discount it out of hand. But coming from a Jazz, I doubt she could think of anything worse.

[C70R]

tedman said:

C70R said:

My OH is a little more feminine and cosmopolitan than the average PHer.

Yes of course, we are all just butch luddites with no grasp of cosmopolitan style and chic.

The dog on the front seat is also a distraction, potentially worse than a mobile phone in my opinion.

Thanks for a really helpful contribution.
Almost as helpful as the bloke who suggested that my OH get out of an automatic Jazz and into a Defender (most don't have a bench, none are automatic) as the solution. Let's ignore the fact that I specified "automatic" and "hatchback/supermini".

There's no use us having the discussion about the dog, as I've addressed it numerous times. It's perfectly legal (phones aren't) and perfectly safe if the dog is properly restrained (no less safe than a baby or small child). But I suspect you know that already, and just wanted something to make a whiny point about.

Honestly, sometimes this place is so much less friendly than the single-marque forums I've used. I wonder if people sign up here just to piss and moan at strangers?

ETA - I've just looked at your car history. A more dismal and depressing bunch I couldn't imagine - not much evidence of your "style and chic" in there.

Edited by C70R on Friday 6th May 10:25

[C70R]

tedman said:

I never suggested that I, personally, had any style or chic.

Then why did you decide to get offended on behalf of an entire forum to which you've barely contributed? Slow day at work?

tedman said:

Some of your comments had a slight air of superiority about them, hence my previous responses.

I came here to politely ask for examples of a specific thing, some people chose to make "JFDI" suggestions that were miles off the mark, and to (rudely) question my motivations. Such a waste of bandwidth, and not really helping anyone but themselves (with some odd feeling of satisfaction). Can you blame me for feeling a bit exasperated?

tedman said:

Anyway, have fun finding a bench seat for your wonderful, cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Thank you.
Have fun with your Mazda hatchback.