Littlest Loafer?

[TheInternet]

Small cars and wafting do not generally go hand in hand, but are there any that have a modicum of barge appeal in a smaller package?

Positive points for:
Lusty engine that does not need thrashing
Petrol
Plush interior with copious insulation
Soft suspension
Old fashioned automatic
Reliability
4 door+
Narrow
High profile tyres

The only options that spring to mind are all mid 90s, Merc 190s etc., anything newer still fit the bill? Volvo, Citroen possibly? Would ideally be able to soak up speed bumps, potter in traffic with grace, and look good smoking a pipe.

[kambites]

I think the X-type did this reasonably well.

[iva cosworth]

Renault 5TX

[davepoth]

Rover 75 2.5 V6 hits all of the points here IMO. It's no supermini but it is surprisingly small compared to a lot of cars these days (it would weigh less than a current model Astra, for example).

[kambites]

davepoth said:

Rover 75 2.5 V6 hits all of the points here IMO. It's no supermini but it is surprisingly small compared to a lot of cars these days (it would weigh less than a current model Astra, for example).

Surely the V8 is the waftier choice. I followed one for a bit yesterday, lovely understated thing.

[CO2000]

Laguna v6 mk1?

[TheInternet]

Rover and X Type both pretty good shouts but each still quite big, though the 75 scores very highly on it's width:length ratio. That said, the shorter the better.

Renault 5 TX? Too old and only 4 left on the roads. Laguna also getting on a bit, and not that small.

[kambites]

Vauxhall Insignia, maybe (I've never been in one)?

[backwoodsman]

kambites said:

Vauxhall Insignia, maybe (I've never been in one)?

Good god, NO.

It has 4 doors, but fits no other criteria.

[backwoodsman]

My old Fuego would have fitted the criteria, except for amount of doors.

Not a newer car I know, but sometimes the older ones are the better choice.

[McWigglebum4th]

Nissian leaf

stupidly quiet car

[AmitG]

I would look towards the French luxury cars, the ones that were made just before they abandoned the luxury market.

Peugeot 607 and Renault Laguna Initiale were both sold as petrol V6 autos and seem to tick most of the boxes, although it will depend on the definition of "small".

Reliability was a problem but the ones that were left are probably OK, I guess it's a form of natural selection

I think the Rover 75 is a good shout.

[willmagrath]

I once went in a mk2 clio 1.6 automatic, ridiculously wafty and comfortable for such a tiny car!

[Justayellowbadge]

Probably all sheds now, but the Mazda Xedos thingy would appear to fit the bill.

[TheInternet]

willmagrath said:

I once went in a mk2 clio 1.6 automatic, ridiculously wafty and comfortable for such a tiny car!

And what of the newer ones? Do they do a special edition for people with piles and hyper sensitive hearing?

[kambites]

The problem with small luxury cars is that as you shorten the wheelbase you increase the tendency of the chassis to dramatically change pitch over bumps making it far harder to properly isolate the occupants from them. It also increases the pitch under acceleration and braking, necessitating relatively stiffer suspension to keep a decent degree of stability.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 10th August 16:08

[lightthefuse]

Volvo V40 if we're talking pint-sized luxury. Never mind that you can use the options list to spend silly amounts on it, but you can get meaty engines in a Focus-sized hatch and all the cow and gizmos you can handle.

[flatso]

e39...end of thread!

[lightthefuse]

Another one - staring me right in the eye (well, the low-rent version anyway ) - Peugeot 208 XY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgaf4B-hn3Y

[TheInternet]

flatso said:

e39...end of thread!

Perfect, but too big.