small comfy car
Discussion
Depends on how you define "comfy". Good ride quality, softness of suspension, seat design/comfort, heater effectiveness, interior space etc..
The limiting factor of small cars is the shortness of wheelbase. It's easier to get good ride quality with a longer wheelbase as you get on older cars.
I was a passenger in a 2000 diesel Fabia a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised by the ride quality, it was rather good. Seats were OK/average but not soft things you get in a SAAB or Volvo, space was OK so sitting position was OK. I wouldn't say it was "very" comfy by any stretch but for a small car, it was better than most others I've been in.
The limiting factor of small cars is the shortness of wheelbase. It's easier to get good ride quality with a longer wheelbase as you get on older cars.
I was a passenger in a 2000 diesel Fabia a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised by the ride quality, it was rather good. Seats were OK/average but not soft things you get in a SAAB or Volvo, space was OK so sitting position was OK. I wouldn't say it was "very" comfy by any stretch but for a small car, it was better than most others I've been in.
eggbod said:
is there such a thing as a small comfy car, i am currently trundling around in an old saab which has fantastic seats and soft suspension, is there a small fiesta sized car with similar comfort on long journeys ?
The answer is sorta yes. What sort of budget are you looking at? Are there any other considerations to what it can or can't do? And are you adverse to modifying?There are several smaller cars which can ride well, although as a rule small cars are cheap, so use smaller, less and lighter weight components with less emphasis on NVH. Short gearing and buzzy engines also mean higher speed refinement will be generally lower than larger cars.
And extending this train of thought, what parts of comfort are you referring to?
-soft suspension doesn't mean comfy and hard suspension doesn't mean uncomfy. It's all about suspension balance and control in terms of jounce, bounce and roll stiffness.
-NVH and refinement levels are often dictated by things above and beyond suspension.
-Road noise and tyre noise can be tiring, is this part of your "comfort" criteria?
-Handling. While not 100% mutually exclusive, chances are a more comfy refined vehicle will weigh more and be more isolated from the road. This will affect the handling and the sensation of the vehicle.
Picking the right car and combining some subtle modifications, such as additional sound proofing, taller tyres and revised spring and damper rates could drastically change the comfort level of a car. This is likely the most sensible and ultimate way to achieve what you are asking for.
As much as I loved my 120d, it being comfy never crossed my mind...
Golf V: Ok, I'm biased 'cos it's the only car I have at the moment, but if you disregard all the cr*p talked by the Golf-haters here, it's really a rather good all-rounder. It's not a B-road hooner, it's not a weekend track car, but for general daily driving it's very acceptable. In all the disciplines that matter, steering, brakes, ride comfort, seats etc it's competent rather than stunning, typical Golf: Jack of all trades, and master of none.
Crusoe said:
120d with electric sports seats optional lumbar support and 16in winter tyres is pretty good.
I found my Bro In Law's 120d SE on 17s has a terrible terrible ride, worse than my M SPort Spec 3 series coupe on 19s and even my wife's R8. In fact every 1 series I've tried have had an unforgiving ride...apart from that they are excellent fun and frugal.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff