Cars have got ‘too big’. Discuss

Cars have got ‘too big’. Discuss

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Every day a journey

Original Poster:

2,224 posts

51 months

ChocolateFrog

30,993 posts

186 months

I feel like increasing the size of car parking spaces really wouldn't be that difficult.

StoutBench

860 posts

41 months

ChocolateFrog said:
I feel like increasing the size of car parking spaces really wouldn't be that difficult.
Well firstly there is the cost of redoing parking spaces plus the subsequent reduction in the amount of spaces. Reduced income plus the cost of redoing the work. So I wouldn't think it's that easy tbh.

Swoxy

2,839 posts

223 months

My X5 is 6 feet 7 inches wide excluding the mirrors.

CanAm

10,820 posts

285 months

The Dacia Spring at least has smallness in its favour, if nothing else.

Robertb

2,569 posts

251 months

More telling is to see cars thought of as being big, like the old Volvo 240 Estate and seeing them next to a relatively ‘small’ car, like an ID3.

I imagine the proliferation of safety devices, crumple zones etc has played a part, as have buyers preferences.

ninepoint2

3,670 posts

173 months

My S8 will not fit into any multi storey spaces, the entrances/ramps are very tight for it as well.

Mad Maximus

586 posts

16 months

Its progression as perceived by us in modern times. The new 5 series can’t be smaller or less in any positive measurable way size included for example.

Size
Safety
Power
Tech
Comfort

It has to be more everytime a new version of a car comes out

Tiglon

292 posts

55 months

StoutBench said:
ChocolateFrog said:
I feel like increasing the size of car parking spaces really wouldn't be that difficult.
Well firstly there is the cost of redoing parking spaces plus the subsequent reduction in the amount of spaces. Reduced income plus the cost of redoing the work. So I wouldn't think it's that easy tbh.
Got quoted about £2k last year to repaint 8 parking spaces. Declined and we did it ourselves. In a large car park that would cost a fortune, plus reduced revenue.

Are cars getting too big? Yes. Living in the countryside, one of my most used motoring phrases is "you should have got a smaller car then" when someone looks irritated at not being able to fit through a gap.

Recently had a furious customer... because I'd recommended a normal multi storey car park under Waitrose. He said the car park was too small, and he couldn't get his Aston Martin DBX out. You should have got a smaller car then. I'm assuming he did one day manage to get it out, because there wasn't a silly luxury SUV wedged on an exit ramp last time I was there.

Not wanting to start yet another boring EV debate, but maybe if we're going to ban ICE we should also ban wastefully large cars. "2 people in your household, sir? Sorry, we're legally not allowed to sell you a Range Rover. Here's the number for the nearest Fiat dealer, they have some lovely approved used Panda's." Climate crisis solved - you're welcome.

LuS1fer

42,321 posts

258 months

Fiat Panda 169s give you a choice of parking spaces and even allow huge fat modern cars to open their doors to allow their often similar occupants to alight without taking your paint off.

MX5 ND is also small though harder to alight gratefully from.

Yes, modern cars are huge. My last Insignia SRi was bigger than an old Granada/ Senator.

Mars

9,412 posts

227 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I drive a Vauxhall Corsa-e and a Merc GL. The little car really isn't that little, being only 6" narrower than the "truck". Yes, it's shorter and fits into most car parking spaces better but at 5m the Merc hangs-over no more than an average estate car.

So, no surprise that the big car is a big car but maybe there's more of a surprise that the little car isn't. What genuinely little car would you buy these days? My first car was an original mini. If I were driving that today, I'd be rather uncomfortable mixing it with lorries and such despite having put some 30K miles on a couple of Caterhams without ever feeling intimidated.

Mr Tidy

26,161 posts

140 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
No discussion needed really - cars have got too big, simple as that!

Current Polos are bigger than the Mk1 Golfs I had so VW had to invent a small car that was actually small, cue the Lupo, Fox and Up.




SS427 Camaro

7,197 posts

183 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
As a biker, I’m noticing more & More the excessive width of cars pick ups etc and Just How much room they are taking up But more importantly Just how close to the white line and the opposite side of the road they are now driving on.
Bloody scary I can tell you….

LJF_97

264 posts

45 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
The spacing guidance for car parks hase been updated, however clients don't like the fact they will lose spaces when re-doing the markings.

jdw100

5,187 posts

177 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I think an issue is also the spec of cars.

We have a Honda CRV, we’d like a smaller car like the HRV but they are not as nice inside.

Lower spec cabin, less equipment and an overall cheaper feel.

If you want a nicer cabin it’s hard to find that in a small car. Typically priced lower of course but I’d be willing to pay a higher amount.


dave123456

3,372 posts

160 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
No discussion needed really - cars have got too big, simple as that!

Current Polos are bigger than the Mk1 Golfs I had so VW had to invent a small car that was actually small, cue the Lupo, Fox and Up.
Which suggests bigger cars appeal, otherwise they would keep the same size and invent bigger cars…

It appears to be a bit of desire in some to feel safer.. particularly parents.

sparkythecat

8,005 posts

268 months

Tuesday
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My mate was surprised to learn that his Volvo XC 60 is 20mm wider than my Rolls Royce Silver Spirit

croyde

24,554 posts

243 months

Tuesday
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I used to own a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis ( Posher Crown Vic ) and that looked svelte parked next to a modern Fiat 500 biggrin

Earthdweller

15,509 posts

139 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Not only are they bigger they are a lot harder to see out of

Go back to any car from the 80's/90's and sit in one and the vision from the drivers seat is far better than today's monstrous beasts

Andy86GT

588 posts

78 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
jdw100 said:
I think an issue is also the spec of cars.

We have a Honda CRV, we’d like a smaller car like the HRV but they are not as nice inside.

Lower spec cabin, less equipment and an overall cheaper feel.

If you want a nicer cabin it’s hard to find that in a small car. Typically priced lower of course but I’d be willing to pay a higher amount.
This is very true. Compare our Vitara and X1. The Vitara is narrower outside, but roughly the same interior wise. The BMW doors are really thick taking up loads of interior space.