People who wont drive a car bigger than a Micra

[J4CKO]

Usually females, not all obviously, my wife is happy driving anything of any size (Fnarr Fnarr) and doesn't bat an eyelid, am sure some men do it but by and large it is ladies.

I can sort of see why but I know people who suggest cars like a Focus and get "oh no its far too big" as if it is some Long Wheelbase Limo, it just seems a bit pathetic if the size of a Focus terrifies you.

Anyone got a partner like this ?

[obob]

J4CKO said:

Usually females, not all obviously, my wife is happy driving anything of any size (Fnarr Fnarr) and doesn't bat an eyelid, am sure some men do it but by and large it is ladies.

I can sort of see why but I know people who suggest cars like a Focus and get "oh no its far too big" as if it is some Long Wheelbase Limo, it just seems a bit pathetic if the size of a Focus terrifies you.

Anyone got a partner like this ?

A sister, although its not the size, so a Focus is fine, even a Mondeo Hatch. But no way will she drive a saloon.

"It's like a tank!'

Err.....

[300bhp/ton]

J4CKO said:

Usually females, not all obviously, my wife is happy driving anything of any size (Fnarr Fnarr) and doesn't bat an eyelid, am sure some men do it but by and large it is ladies.

I can sort of see why but I know people who suggest cars like a Focus and get "oh no its far too big" as if it is some Long Wheelbase Limo, it just seems a bit pathetic if the size of a Focus terrifies you.

Anyone got a partner like this ?

Not a partner but had a mate (a bloke), a strapping 6 foot 6+ bloke. Who learnt to drive in a Nova and thought an Astra was way too big to drive.

Honestly I think it should be compulsory to learn to drive in something Mondeo/Vectra sized.

[Yell_M3]

My missus is another one. Currently she has a yaris. Tried to get her to try the Golf Gti but thought is was too big. She test drove the Seat Leon. Said she liked it, was all set then asked the saleman "is this the same size as the golf?". He was of course not expecting the intention. He said yes. She said too big ...

Grr!

[HustleRussell]

My auntie had an ancient Metro. My unkle treated her to a surprise upgrade- a K11 micra. She rejected it on the grounds that it was 'too big'!

[J4CKO]

I can sort of see not buying something too big but flat out refusing to drive anything bigger, ever seems a bit short sighted,

I know someone who had a old British Sports car that never had seat belts fitted, his girlfriend wouldn't ride in it, even a quick spin round the block due to the risk, to be fair between them they have had three fairly large crashes in the last year or so....

[Hoofy]

Complain about those who drive massive cars and obviously have little clue about how to control them.

[kambites]

I don't really see anything wrong with it. Small cars are easier to drive on cluttered, narrow roads. If someone doesn't need a bigger car, why would they even consider getting one?

I'd far rather drivers with so little confidence were driving little Micras rather than damned great SUVs.

[g3org3y]

kambites said:

I don't really see anything wrong with it. Small cars are easier to drive on cluttered, narrow roads. If someone doesn't need a bigger car, why would they even consider getting one?

I'd far rather drivers with so little confidence were driving little Micras rather than damned great SUVs.

^This. Non issue imo.

[300bhp/ton]

g3org3y said:

kambites said:

I don't really see anything wrong with it. Small cars are easier to drive on cluttered, narrow roads. If someone doesn't need a bigger car, why would they even consider getting one?

I'd far rather drivers with so little confidence were driving little Micras rather than damned great SUVs.

^This. Non issue imo.

But that's about owning, rather than point blank refusing to drive something. A nervous driver has no place behind any steering, no matter the vehicle size.

[kambites]

300bhp/ton said:

But that's about owning, rather than point blank refusing to drive something. A nervous driver has no place behind any steering, no matter the vehicle size.

I'd rather see the roads full of drivers who underestimate their own abilities than who overestimate them.

[GreatGranny]

No but I would have no problems if thats what they wanted to drive.
I wouldn't put pressure on them just because I was ok driving a large car.
Whats the point? Better for them to feel confident driving a Yaris then not but driving a car their boyfriend/partner/husband thinks they should be driving.

[Captain Muppet]

Mrs Muppet has driven an artic. I'm so proud.

Wasn't there a thread on here a while back where some chap was saying small cars are too dangerous to drive at motorway speeds?

[Mr Gear]

kambites said:

I don't really see anything wrong with it. Small cars are easier to drive on cluttered, narrow roads. If someone doesn't need a bigger car, why would they even consider getting one?

Exactly. I have an Audi A2, and it carries everything I need it to. I don't need any extra space.

I can also parallel-park it in spaces you'd struggle to park a Focus, and it goes into spaces in the supermarket first-time every time. Living in SW London, this is a GOOD THING that makes life better.

I rented a VW transporter earlier in the year and it was fine to drive anywhere on the road, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to live with it or try and park it round here.

[kambites]

Captain Muppet said:

Mrs Muppet has driven an artic. I'm so proud.

Wasn't there a thread on here a while back where some chap was saying small cars are too dangerous to drive at motorway speeds?

I think it was specifically "small cars with narrow tyres were dangerous to drive fast on wet motorways", which was even more silly.

[mat777]

my mum is like this. She wont drive anything bigger than a BINI or her current Fiat 500. The usual excuses about seeing over the bonnet etc apply. If this had always been the case, then I'd have no quibble with it as some people just dont like driving big things. However, what is really weird is the back in the day, she used to have Capris and Cortinas which she would happily drive

[J4CKO]

Hoofy said:

Complain about those who drive massive cars and obviously have little clue about how to control them.

Er, you are on Pistonheads, probably in the right place

[Tuvra]

My missus is shying away from the latest Focus ST in fear of its size. She currently has an R56 Mini Cooper S

[Mr Gear]

mat777 said:

my mum is like this. She wont drive anything bigger than a BINI or her current Fiat 500. The usual excuses about seeing over the bonnet etc apply. If this had always been the case, then I'd have no quibble with it as some people just dont like driving big things. However, what is really weird is the back in the day, she used to have Capris and Cortinas which she would happily drive

Modern cars have slopey-bonnets that are pedestrian friendly. The sharp corners of old Fords meant you can identify where the corners of the car are easily. Also, a Capri is not a big car really. I would guess it's shorter than a Focus.

[eltax91]

My Sister in Law is one of these. When her old 3 door Corsa died, my brother tried like hell to convince her to go for a 5 door Focus/ Astra (just had a baby), she wouldn't have it as they are too big. He has taken her to quiet places in his Vectra to see if she will have a go, but she won't. She's got a new car to replace the Corsa now, it's a Corsa.

All that said, she is a competant driver, but having failed several times due to nerves she seriously underestimates her abilities. To be honest, the little Corsa does everything she needs from it, if they need a bigger car for longer trips, my brother gets to be DES.