Small cars for tall drivers?

[webmistress]

Hi all

My son is looking to buy his first car (which will have to be a cheap runaround till he's built up some experience and no claims) but at just over 6'5" with looong legs this isn't so easy. Any suggestions of makes/models that might fit?

[Rob_F]

Smart cars have got bags of room in them. Might be a bit over budget but the running costs should be low (insurance/tax/fuel etc).

Cheers,
Rob.

[Pat H]

Austin Mini.

With seat brackets and a column bracket you'll be surprised.

[t0ny99]

I second the Smart suggestion, bags of room.

>> Edited by t0ny99 on Thursday 12th January 22:27

[FunkyNige]

Pat H said:

Austin Mini. With seat brackets and a column bracket you'll be surprised.

Uncle who is 6' lots has a Mini and fits in nor probs at all. I'm 6'4" and drove a 309 as a first car with no problems, but I guess that's not much use to you! I had a Rover 400 shape Civic which to be honest was a bit small for my legs.

[agent006]

Long legs = french car.

A 1.6 laguna will be easy on the insurance and there's bags of room. I'm 6'2" and could get the seat so far back that i couldn't reach the pedals by a good 4" or so.

[webmistress]

Thanks for all your replies, all will be passed on.

Can't quite agree with Agent about the French cars tho, I'm 5'9" and I had a rotten rusty Renault 9 for a couple of years (wot a laff that was!) and had to keep seat pushed back to furthest point... Did think at the time car had been designed for Napoleon!

>> Edited by webmistress on Thursday 12th January 23:38

[dave_s13]

webmistress said:

Thanks for all your replies, all will be passed on. Can't quite agree with Agent about the French cars tho, I'm 5'9" and I had a rotten rusty Renault 9 for a couple of years (wot a laff that was!) and had to keep seat pushed back to furthest point... Did think at the time car had been designed for Napoleon! >> Edited by webmistress on Thursday 12th January 23:38

Agreed - 6'4" Citroen C2, not the best really.

[604]

well Im 6'0" and feel perfectly comfortable in the MX-5... 6'5 maybe a stretch but maybe give it a shot?
Otherwise... I think a civic or a Silvia (if rwd is a must, as it should be) should do just fine Imo.

[beda]

I'm about 6'6" and have a vw polo (late 90s model) which i am more comfortable in than any golf-clas car i've driven.

[NAS]

6foot6 here and very long legs.

Golfs (Mk2) rules the roost when it comes to cheap space. It's like a house! Had many a 405 and 309, and they're really rather good too. Pick up a cheap leather 205 GTI steering wheel op from a breakers and you get even more space.

Smarts are amazing on the inside as well. Bags of room.

[popey]

oooh, a 1998 Suzuki Baleno GS on an S plate would do him very nicely...........

Seriously, cheap to run and insure, sporty looking so gains points with his mates and loads of head room. Never took off in the UK for some reason, but I like 'em.

I'll be whacking it on the clasifieds at the weekend after I've cleaned it and taken some pics if you're interested (need a motorway mile muncher now).

[neil_cardiff]

Try a non cooking Golf, as they are very large. I'm 6' 4" and have to put the seat forward a bit (however I've only 32" inside leg).

Additionally, a Ford Ka, while fine on height, lengthwise is not that great.

Most small cars will be the same, but the key point you may have missed will be this:

As most cars will make anyone over 6' look like an ape driving - i.e. knees akimbo, check the knee to dashboard interface. I can't stand driving the missus's beetle as I continously rub my knee on her dash, and when I twirl the wheel parkng I always catch my fingers on the dash as well.

Small but annoying - and something I don't get on my Mk3 Golf. I remember the Mk2 was even better!!!

>> Edited by neil_cardiff on Friday 13th January 09:36

[neil_cardiff]

popey said:

oooh, a 1998 Suzuki Baleno GS on an S plate would do him very nicely........... Seriously, cheap to run and insure, sporty looking so gains points with his mates and loads of head room. Never took off in the UK for some reason, but I like 'em. I'll be whacking it on the clasifieds at the weekend after I've cleaned it and taken some pics if you're interested (need a motorway mile muncher now).

I can vouch for this, my nieghbour while not that tall, he is built like a brick shit house. After all he does play for Bristol Rugby... he drives a Baleno

[pdV6]

There's a few Popemobiles on eBay, I think

Or alternatively, one of those wheelchair-adapted Metros with the extended roof?

[pdV6]

neil_cardiff said:

I'm 6' 4"

You sure about that, Neil?

[tiga84]

Do a Hightower off of Police academy. Remove the front seats, sit in the back.

[fulham911club]

The new Fiat Panda surprisingly enough. He'd just about fit in the back too

[bga]

a couple of my mates are 6'6" pro rugby players and run about in sponsored renault clio's - they seem to fit in them OK.

IIRC 2CV's also have a lot of headroom

[themaskedavenger]

Another vote for the Smart car or the new MINI not much room in the back of either but plenty up front.

What ever you do dont get a sunroof!