Fun small cars for tall drivers

[Baz2000]

I'm thinking of getting something small and fun along the lines of a Peugeot 106 Rallye or Gti but I'm unsure if I would fit in one i'm 6'4" and struggle to comfortably fit in many cars. An example is I cannot fit at all comfortably in a mk2 Mazda Mx5, I can just about squeeze myself into a mk1 but not at all comfortably.

My budget is around £2000 and must be cheap to run but also fun if that is at all possible.

[anonymous-user]

Is a Panda 100hp or a C2 VTS down to those prices yet?

[Bisonhead]

What sort of tall are you? Legs or Torso?

I am 6ft but have the torso of a 6ft5er (and the head of a 7fter...hence the name!) I found the Mk2 MX5 perfect from a leg point of view but a bit tight width and height wise.

I can expect it is the leg issue for you (I know a fair few 6ft 4 plus types) to which I would recommend a fast saloon...95 HOT Aero springs to mind as not too bad cost wise.
I had a 106 GTi as a first car and loved it to bits. Plenty of leg room for me but maybe not a lanky larry like you

Also look at the next level up. Leon Cupras and the likes

[Patrick1964]

I'm 6ft 3in with a long torso and coped fine with a DC2 and Clio 182's, amongst other cars

[Baz2000]

Bisonhead said:

What sort of tall are you? Legs or Torso?

I am 6ft but have the torso of a 6ft5er (and the head of a 7fter...hence the name!) I found the Mk2 MX5 perfect from a leg point of view but a bit tight width and height wise.

I can expect it is the leg issue for you (I know a fair few 6ft 4 plus types) to which I would recommend a fast saloon...E39 540 springs to mind!

I'm not 100% sure but I struggled for both in the mk2 mx5 I couldn't get my left knee under the steering wheel to brake and my head was over the windscreen and very uncomfortable with the roof up. I'm 6'4" at a guess I could be taller, i'm very slim though so that wasn't an issue.

I'd love a fast saloon but I'm after a small car with a small engine, I need running costs to be low especially insurance.

[Pet Troll]

I am about 6'6" and drive a 205 GTI, I used to have a 80's mini. I have longer legs in proportion and have just got used to fitting into smaller cars.

I also have a 406 coupe and have no more room in that than the 205.

The only car I have ever driven where I haven't had the seat all the way back is an e91 330d.

[V8forweekends]

I am 6' 5" and I fitted into (once I'd folded myself in) my (then) brother in law's Lotus Elise (sorry beyond budget). Comfortable for a road trip to SW France and back.

Saxo was too cramped, not for headroom, but due to pedals (size 12 feet) - driveable but not much fun - 106 was marginally better but not much.

I owned a 205 GTi back in the day, but did bang my head on the roof when pressing on over poor roads.

I think it's the VAG stuff for you.....

[DuncsGTi]

While I'm only 6' I found the 106 to have plenty of room, the one thing to watch out for is the tight pedal box if you have big feet

[Pet Troll]

DuncsGTi said:

While I'm only 6' I found the 106 to have plenty of room, the one thing to watch out for is the tight pedal box if you have big feet

I have heard this mentioned so many times but I never had a problem with my size 15 feet. I learnt to drive in a 106 and drove it for several months after passing my test.

[Bisonhead]

Baz2000 said:

I'm not 100% sure but I struggled for both in the mk2 mx5 I couldn't get my left knee under the steering wheel to brake and my head was over the windscreen and very uncomfortable with the roof up. I'm 6'4" at a guess I could be taller, i'm very slim though so that wasn't an issue.

I'd love a fast saloon but I'm after a small car with a small engine, I need running costs to be low especially insurance.

Sorry Baz2000, I re-read the OP and amended mine with more relevant suggestions.

It will also be worth having a look at classics if insurance is an issue. Running costs - depends on how you buy. My Jag xj was cheap to insure and didnt go wrong in my time with it (apart from a few niggles when bought). Only downside was fuel which wasnt often above 22mpg.

[Bisonhead]

Pet Troll said:

DuncsGTi said:

While I'm only 6' I found the 106 to have plenty of room, the one thing to watch out for is the tight pedal box if you have big feet

I have heard this mentioned so many times but I never had a problem with my size 15 feet. I learnt to drive in a 106 and drove it for several months after passing my test.

Bloody hell Sideshow Bob! You must have narrow tootsies to fit those things in that footwell!

I have size 9 but wide, I found the pedal box a bit of a squeeze but managable. Easiest car for heel-toe I've had so far.

[Baryonyx]

I was going to suggest a 106 Rallye. If you are super-lanky, fit a smaller steering wheel. I'm 6'1" with size 11 feet and I manage alright!

[DuncsGTi]

I found it a doddle to drive in trainers, etc, but army boots were a bit more clumsy!!

Edit to add: Ive had 2 GTi's and they are easily the most fun cars I've had. I toyed around with Jap 4x4 turbo nutters for a while but came back to a 106 GTi

Edited by DuncsGTi on Tuesday 14th January 18:11

[Pet Troll]

Bisonhead said:

Pet Troll said:

DuncsGTi said:

While I'm only 6' I found the 106 to have plenty of room, the one thing to watch out for is the tight pedal box if you have big feet

I have heard this mentioned so many times but I never had a problem with my size 15 feet. I learnt to drive in a 106 and drove it for several months after passing my test.

Bloody hell Sideshow Bob! You must have narrow tootsies to fit those things in that footwell!

I have size 9 but wide, I found the pedal box a bit of a squeeze but managable. Easiest car for heel-toe I've had so far.

Indeed my feet are narrow, but at the time I used to wear DC skate shoes which were quite wide and never had an issue. Now I wear narrower shoes with softer soles which are much nicer to drive in. I find heel and toe pretty easy due to large feet!

[V8forweekends]

Slightly OT but whilst we're a gathering of tall folk.....

Does anyone else find it odd that some larger cars (Pug 405/6, Toyota Avensis, Jag XK) have less room in 'em than smaller models from the same manufacturer? No way on earth could I fit in any of the listed, yet 205, Aygo, and X-Type respectively were fine.

[Baz2000]

Thanks for the replies some good suggestions that I will look into. I like the idea of a 205 gti but not sure if my budget would stretch to a good one that isn't going to need work. I would love a 205 xs but finding one would be a challenge. I also need to sit in a 106 to see if I fit.

Like someone said VAG is probably the way to go but I was hoping for something a little left field,

[V8forweekends]

Maybe not economical enough - but Alfa GTV had plenty of room and is on budget....

[Foppo]

I'm over six feet drive the daughters Fiat Panda without a problem.I would think the more powerfull version should be fine.

[Longman66]

Suzuki Swift? , couple of 1.5's on autotrader under 2k , good fun to chuck about

[New POD]

Might be a smidge outside your budget, but £2500 might get you an early Oxford built generation 1 Mini cooper or cooper s.

The seat adjustment is unbelievably great. (Mind you it can render the rear seat pointless