Cars getting fat!
Discussion
A pic on the R34 thread (R35 sitting behind an R34 Skyline) really highlighted just how big new cars are getting. Here's a reminder:
Am I alone here in craving smaller cars?? My TVR Chimaera is now looking the size of a Kinder Egg. My MG ZT now gets significantly dwarfed by a mates Audi A5.
I'm now looking 'Classic' Mini's and Triumph TR4's with a bit of 'diddy' envy. I see a BMW E30 and think yep, that's where an average family saloon should be and an E28 for those feeling a bit portly after Christmas..
Even my Jeep Cherokee XJ looked almost cute in size when parked next to a MINI countryman.
Is small the next big thing???
Am I alone here in craving smaller cars?? My TVR Chimaera is now looking the size of a Kinder Egg. My MG ZT now gets significantly dwarfed by a mates Audi A5.
I'm now looking 'Classic' Mini's and Triumph TR4's with a bit of 'diddy' envy. I see a BMW E30 and think yep, that's where an average family saloon should be and an E28 for those feeling a bit portly after Christmas..
Even my Jeep Cherokee XJ looked almost cute in size when parked next to a MINI countryman.
Is small the next big thing???
I was in the same boat, I was a massive fan of smaller cars, my car history being saxo, yaris, seat ibiza, mini... I couldn't understand why people bought big cars
However, at 25 I thought it was time to get a bigger car so i've bought a Scirocco - I love it more than any of the others, it still handles well yet is far more comfortable and practical.
Kinda wish i'd got a bigger car sooner. Its not exactly what you would call a "big" car I guess but its far bigger than what i'm used to.
However, at 25 I thought it was time to get a bigger car so i've bought a Scirocco - I love it more than any of the others, it still handles well yet is far more comfortable and practical.
Kinda wish i'd got a bigger car sooner. Its not exactly what you would call a "big" car I guess but its far bigger than what i'm used to.
tyranical said:
I was in the same boat, I was a massive fan of smaller cars, my car history being saxo, yaris, seat ibiza, mini... I couldn't understand why people bought big cars
However, at 25 I thought it was time to get a bigger car so i've bought a Scirocco - I love it more than any of the others, it still handles well yet is far more comfortable and practical.
Kinda wish i'd got a bigger car sooner. Its not exactly what you would call a "big" car I guess but its far bigger than what i'm used to.
It's relative though. I don't think everyone needs to trundle around in a Smart car. My brother has a pretty new Fiesta. That's a pretty good size by all accounts. However, at 25 I thought it was time to get a bigger car so i've bought a Scirocco - I love it more than any of the others, it still handles well yet is far more comfortable and practical.
Kinda wish i'd got a bigger car sooner. Its not exactly what you would call a "big" car I guess but its far bigger than what i'm used to.
However, roads aren't getting any wider, parking spaces aren't growing etc and a fair percentage of modern cars won't fit in a newly built house garage!!
Just because specific models are getting bigger doesn't mean you have to buy a big car. If the 3-series BMW is getting too big for your taste, just pick up a 1-series.
As for weight, it's not too big a deal so long as the car isn't plain lardy. Engines are massively more powerful than in days of old - as are the brakes.
Which begs the question why so many muppets seem to feel the only way to impress their mates/neighbours/colleagues is to buy some humungous 4x4 to park with two wheels on the pavement outside the post office. See one with a sport badge and you just know there's something lacking in the wetware.
As for weight, it's not too big a deal so long as the car isn't plain lardy. Engines are massively more powerful than in days of old - as are the brakes.
Which begs the question why so many muppets seem to feel the only way to impress their mates/neighbours/colleagues is to buy some humungous 4x4 to park with two wheels on the pavement outside the post office. See one with a sport badge and you just know there's something lacking in the wetware.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Just because specific models are getting bigger doesn't mean you have to buy a big car. If the 3-series BMW is getting too big for your taste, just pick up a 1-series.
I agree you don't NEED to exactly but the average 'punter' doesn't seem to get it. It's also surprising just how huge a car people think they 'need'. One child?? Get a Q7!! 
31mph said:
It's mainly due to safety regulations. Cars have to stronger in a crash.
Can you quote the legislation?There is a requirement for added safety, but it's driven by consumers wanting NCAP stars rather than legislation. The bits of safety kit which are mandatory aren't that heavy and the bits of design which are mandatory are more to do with pedestrian impact.
Consumers also want more metal for their money. Annoying, but there you go.
Fire99 said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
Just because specific models are getting bigger doesn't mean you have to buy a big car. If the 3-series BMW is getting too big for your taste, just pick up a 1-series.
I agree you don't NEED to exactly but the average 'punter' doesn't seem to get it. It's also surprising just how huge a car people think they 'need'. One child?? Get a Q7!! I seen this a while ago
a 207 beside a 306 (and the 306 is a class above)
People are getting fat, so cars get bigger to match the people.
I have a 106, so the only time my car feels big is against the original (proper) mini. (A mini makes a 106 look huge).
Cars do seem to be getting lighter again though (the 207 vs 208, I think the new clio might be too, and I read somewhere that the next corsa will be lighter than the one out now)
a 207 beside a 306 (and the 306 is a class above)
People are getting fat, so cars get bigger to match the people.
I have a 106, so the only time my car feels big is against the original (proper) mini. (A mini makes a 106 look huge).
Cars do seem to be getting lighter again though (the 207 vs 208, I think the new clio might be too, and I read somewhere that the next corsa will be lighter than the one out now)
Edited by Noesph on Monday 28th January 00:42
alfabadass said:
I don't think cars are getting bigger cos we're getting fatter.
In order to make cars more comfy and feature packed, more space is needed for the gubbins as well as safety crap.
Plus people want more space, more cup holders, bigger boots, more headspace etc
Quite.In order to make cars more comfy and feature packed, more space is needed for the gubbins as well as safety crap.
Plus people want more space, more cup holders, bigger boots, more headspace etc
"People are getting fat" is a ridiculous reason. The simple fact is that when you need more and more features adding to a car, the packaging becomes more of a challenge so it will tend to get bigger. Because of the way the customers are, you struggle to sell a new model without having several new features or benefits over the old model. Either they want more bootspace AND more legroom, or they want better crash safety, or they think the glovebox was too small on the old model.
How else do you think this can be accommodated without making cars bigger?
It's really not difficult for a manufacturer. After a couple of generations, the smallest model has become bigger because it constantly needed "more" adding to it to seem like a major update. Doing this meant it kept its appeal with the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses type of buyer, fleets, etc etc. So you add a smaller new model beneath it, which shares exactly the same underpinnings and now appeals to all those more basic types of buyer who don't need the features, and are thrilled to get something with the same badge, but not the added expense, of the model above.
Cars are getting bigger for so many reasons...
- people want more space/practicality & spec for that 'class' of vehicle.
- manufacturers need a way of improving over the last car, and making sure its better then rivals.
- EU legislation about crash safety & crumple zones.
I think this is why cars are getting bigger. Someone who owned a mk1-4 golf might aswell buy a brand new polo now instead. Anyone who had a granada might aswell have a new focus.
- people want more space/practicality & spec for that 'class' of vehicle.
- manufacturers need a way of improving over the last car, and making sure its better then rivals.
- EU legislation about crash safety & crumple zones.
I think this is why cars are getting bigger. Someone who owned a mk1-4 golf might aswell buy a brand new polo now instead. Anyone who had a granada might aswell have a new focus.
Fire99 said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
Just because specific models are getting bigger doesn't mean you have to buy a big car. If the 3-series BMW is getting too big for your taste, just pick up a 1-series.
I agree you don't NEED to exactly but the average 'punter' doesn't seem to get it. It's also surprising just how huge a car people think they 'need'. One child?? Get a Q7!! Ok, people getting fatter was a bit of gibe, but have a look here, car companies do think about it
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052471/Pl...
As for the bigger for safety, the Toyota iq has a 5 star ncap rating and is tiny. And some cars are getting lighter / smaller again. And packaging isn't that good in some new cars, bigger on the outside and smaller in the inside.
I reckon marketing groups have a fair bit to answer for, people want more cup holders, more legroom etc so the car has to get bigger. Pretty much if you ask most people if you want bigger / more they will say yes.
Also one thing I've wondered before. Say a lad years ago first car was a mk1 golf, he meets a girl, gets married, has a family etc. He needs a bigger car for his family, but he likes golfs so keeps buying them, so they have gradually got bigger over the years to match his lifestyle over time. Hence why the polo was created to be smaller than the golf, but that now is a fairly big car, to match the generation underneath him, and so another new line up is created to be the next new small car. (lupo/fox/up or say the Fiesta then the KA)
Anyway I know I'm rambling and I'll properly wonder what the fu*k I was on about in the morning.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052471/Pl...
As for the bigger for safety, the Toyota iq has a 5 star ncap rating and is tiny. And some cars are getting lighter / smaller again. And packaging isn't that good in some new cars, bigger on the outside and smaller in the inside.
I reckon marketing groups have a fair bit to answer for, people want more cup holders, more legroom etc so the car has to get bigger. Pretty much if you ask most people if you want bigger / more they will say yes.
Also one thing I've wondered before. Say a lad years ago first car was a mk1 golf, he meets a girl, gets married, has a family etc. He needs a bigger car for his family, but he likes golfs so keeps buying them, so they have gradually got bigger over the years to match his lifestyle over time. Hence why the polo was created to be smaller than the golf, but that now is a fairly big car, to match the generation underneath him, and so another new line up is created to be the next new small car. (lupo/fox/up or say the Fiesta then the KA)
Anyway I know I'm rambling and I'll properly wonder what the fu*k I was on about in the morning.
Edited by Noesph on Monday 28th January 02:04
Noesph said:
Also one thing I've wondered before. Say a lad years ago first car was a mk1 golf, he meets a girl, gets married, has a family etc. He needs a bigger car for his family, but he likes golfs so keeps buying them, so they have gradually got bigger over the years to match his lifestyle over time. Hence why the polo was created to be smaller than the golf, but that now is a fairly big car, to match the generation underneath him, and so another new line up is created to be the next new small car. (lupo/fox/up or say the Fiesta then the KA)
Anyway I know I'm rambling and I'll properly wonder what the fu*k I was on about in the morning.
This bit is actually true, although I forget where I read it. Anyway I know I'm rambling and I'll properly wonder what the fu*k I was on about in the morning.
Edited by Noesph on Monday 28th January 02:04
Don't forget people are getting taller too. Ever been to a Victorian museum? Mind your head.
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