Most fun car for narrow garage (4.6m x 1.8m)
Discussion
In all honesty I think you will struggle to get a non convertible in the garage and still be able to get out.
My Leon is 1816mm wide (excluding the mirrors) and my garage is 2375mm wide (at the widest point). The timber boards fixed to the walls and shown the photos below probably take another 20mm off the garage width.
If garaging the car is a must I think you are looking at either a convertible, an older classic or a kit car. Failing that what about a motorcycle as a weekend toy?
For reference the clear opening across my garage door is 2130mm.
My Leon is 1816mm wide (excluding the mirrors) and my garage is 2375mm wide (at the widest point). The timber boards fixed to the walls and shown the photos below probably take another 20mm off the garage width.
If garaging the car is a must I think you are looking at either a convertible, an older classic or a kit car. Failing that what about a motorcycle as a weekend toy?
For reference the clear opening across my garage door is 2130mm.
DoubleD said:
Just looked on autotrader, the Z4 coupe and 130i are about the same sort of price.
There were some decent-looking 130is for around £4K recently, reasonable Z4s seemed to start nearer £7-8k. Oddly, checking now, some of the cheaper 130is have sold and some cheaper Z4s have appeared, narrowing that gap.
Part of the rationale for going for two 130is was that the outwardly better interior quality, lack of sound generator, option of hydraulic steering (on pre-facelifts, at least) and less over-stiff suspension appealed.
It’s definitely worth me trying to drive a Z4, though. Especially considering there are more that look good around the £6k mark now than there were...
OP, are you related to the character who started the thread about what estate car to buy for about £9k?
Really, you’re in danger of looking for unicorn car.
You might be as well ignoring the garage and enjoying driving the car you want. You don’t drive a car sitting in the garage!
Best of luck.
Really, you’re in danger of looking for unicorn car.
You might be as well ignoring the garage and enjoying driving the car you want. You don’t drive a car sitting in the garage!
Best of luck.
Ecosseven said:
In all honesty I think you will struggle to get a non convertible in the garage and still be able to get out.
My Leon is 1816mm wide (excluding the mirrors) and my garage is 2375mm wide (at the widest point). The timber boards fixed to the walls and shown the photos below probably take another 20mm off the garage width.
If garaging the car is a must I think you are looking at either a convertible, an older classic or a kit car. Failing that what about a motorcycle as a weekend toy?
For reference the clear opening across my garage door is 2130mm.
You’re probably right - assuming I have to get out of the door.My Leon is 1816mm wide (excluding the mirrors) and my garage is 2375mm wide (at the widest point). The timber boards fixed to the walls and shown the photos below probably take another 20mm off the garage width.
If garaging the car is a must I think you are looking at either a convertible, an older classic or a kit car. Failing that what about a motorcycle as a weekend toy?
For reference the clear opening across my garage door is 2130mm.
If your garage is effectively 54cm wider than the car, around 50cm extra is probably enough to get out of an older car, maybe 45cm if it has particularly thin doors.
That’d mean 155-160cm is the realistic maximum to get in/out through the door. Closest appealing cars to that are Clio 172 at 1639mm, Mini Cooper S (R56) at 1683mm, and Corrado VR6 and Impreza 2000 Turbo at 1690mm.
I have no objection to clambering in/out through the boot, though. Call me mad, but I’d rather relax knowing that the car is safe and have an awkward to process to get in and out than worry about it on the drive.
nobrakes said:
OP, are you related to the character who started the thread about what estate car to buy for about £9k?
Really, you’re in danger of looking for unicorn car.
You might be as well ignoring the garage and enjoying driving the car you want. You don’t drive a car sitting in the garage!
Best of luck.
Not guilty. I hear what you're saying, though I now have a shortlist of 9 cars that could work AND fit in the garage having considered every possible option I can think of. Plus two that won't fit, where I need to decide whether they're good enough to compensate worrying about them outside.Really, you’re in danger of looking for unicorn car.
You might be as well ignoring the garage and enjoying driving the car you want. You don’t drive a car sitting in the garage!
Best of luck.
Had I been in a position to buy now, I would have test driven a load of things already to narrow down things. As I won't be ready to buy for six months or so that feels a little premature at the moment, which is why I'm dithering.
Should I drive a 350Z and think it's phenomenal, I'm sure I'd go with that even if it didn't fit. Meanwhile , if I loved the Corrado instead and it would fit, then why not get the car that fits?
Sorry if this has been a frustrating thread to read but thanks for all the feedback. I've found it massively helpful.
Appealing and good fit in garage/could get in/out through hatch:
- BMW 130i
- BMW 325ti
- BMW 328i (e36)
- Honda CRX
- Honda Integra
- Mini Cooper S (R56)
- Renault Clio 172 (phase 1)
- Subaru Impreza Turbo 2000
- VW Corrado VR6
- BMW Z4 Coupe
- Nissan 350Z
egor110 said:
How come the mini r56 and not the r53 also why only the series 1 clio ?
The r56 is narrower and lighter from what I can see and I believe the gearing on the r53 is ludicrously long, which is a pet hate of mine. I like the look of the r53 Mini, but not sure I’d enjoy living with it.As for the Phase 1 172, I just much prefer the look of it and the interior. Completely subjective, but these things can affect whether you make every excuse to drive something and enjoy having it or just see it as an expense and sell it after a few months.
RoVoFob said:
egor110 said:
How come the mini r56 and not the r53 also why only the series 1 clio ?
The r56 is narrower and lighter from what I can see and I believe the gearing on the r53 is ludicrously long, which is a pet hate of mine. I like the look of the r53 Mini, but not sure I’d enjoy living with it.As for the Phase 1 172, I just much prefer the look of it and the interior. Completely subjective, but these things can affect whether you make every excuse to drive something and enjoy having it or just see it as an expense and sell it after a few months.
egor110 said:
These are from Parker's what are you using ?
What car has ever got smaller as the newer models come out ?
I used to work there and while the content is mostly very good, I’m aware you can’t always trust the data. The external data feeds are so convoluted that there’s endless scope for mistakes when so many derivatives are available.What car has ever got smaller as the newer models come out ?
I was looking at Google image results for r53 and r56 Cooper S dimensions, so you can see which are with and without mirrors. The r56 was supposedly a little longer, but a tiny bit narrower too.
Since they’re both small, the more important factor for me was that a slower car with very long gears - the r53 - appealed less.
DoubleD said:
Just looked on autotrader, the Z4 coupe and 130i are about the same sort of price.
Maybe, but the cheaper Z4 Coupes are either SE models that don't have the sought after M-Sport seats or have done mega-miles. The Z4 has one feature that might be useful - if you press the unlock button on the key twice, when you open the door (even slightly) the window drops right down.
And it just so happens my 3.0Si Sport Z4 Coupe is for sale.
(Only because I've bought an M Coupe). Whereabouts are you OP? If you are anywhere near the Berks/Surrey/Hants borders you'd be welcome to have a look at mine even if you weren't interested in buying!
Mr Tidy said:
Maybe, but the cheaper Z4 Coupes are either SE models that don't have the sought after M-Sport seats or have done mega-miles.
The Z4 has one feature that might be useful - if you press the unlock button on the key twice, when you open the door (even slightly) the window drops right down.
And it just so happens my 3.0Si Sport Z4 Coupe is for sale. (Only because I've bought an M Coupe).
Whereabouts are you OP? If you are anywhere near the Berks/Surrey/Hants borders you'd be welcome to have a look at mine even if you weren't interested in buying!
A Z4 Coupe in SE trim with small wheels and M Sport seats would be the ultimate Z4 spec for me. Rare combo, though, so finding decent M Sport and fitting smaller wheels is probably the easiest option.The Z4 has one feature that might be useful - if you press the unlock button on the key twice, when you open the door (even slightly) the window drops right down.
And it just so happens my 3.0Si Sport Z4 Coupe is for sale.
(Only because I've bought an M Coupe). Whereabouts are you OP? If you are anywhere near the Berks/Surrey/Hants borders you'd be welcome to have a look at mine even if you weren't interested in buying!
Should try one out. Thanks Mr Tidy, would really appreciate that. Based in east London, but occasionally head westwards.
Funnily enough, if yours is the ad I think it is, you're a street or two away from where my dad used to be. Sadly he’s about 200 miles away from there now. Doh.
RoVoFob said:
A Z4 Coupe in SE trim with small wheels and M Sport seats would be the ultimate Z4 spec for me. Rare combo, though, so finding decent M Sport and fitting smaller wheels is probably the easiest option.
Should try one out. Thanks Mr Tidy, would really appreciate that. Based in east London, but occasionally head westwards.
Funnily enough, if yours is the ad I think it is, you're a street or two away from where my dad used to be. Sadly he’s about 200 miles away from there now. Doh.
Well if you are heading over this way just let me know - I would post a link but it isn't advertised on PH and I think they don't like links to other places! Should try one out. Thanks Mr Tidy, would really appreciate that. Based in east London, but occasionally head westwards.
Funnily enough, if yours is the ad I think it is, you're a street or two away from where my dad used to be. Sadly he’s about 200 miles away from there now. Doh.
Sorry to hear about your dad too - my mum is now 40 miles away in a care home, and it's not easy.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff