How big does a car need to be for you to feel safe in.
Discussion
Borrowed my mum's little automatic i10 for a day's shopping in Glasgow then to attend the work's Xmas dinner. Around the city I can't think of a more near-to-perfect way to getting about and to park. Even on a windy motorway it was reasonably stable and able to maintain a steady 80-85mph with ease. I found it a very likeable little car and can see why the motoring press have taken it to their hearts.
The only problem was a colleague I gave a lift home to was terrified. I thought my driving was fairly undramatic. I was. It turned out his terror was just from being in such a small car on the motorway.
Who has sympathy? Who thinks "bid girl's blouse"?
The only problem was a colleague I gave a lift home to was terrified. I thought my driving was fairly undramatic. I was. It turned out his terror was just from being in such a small car on the motorway.
Who has sympathy? Who thinks "bid girl's blouse"?
I don't feel the slightest bit frightened driving, or being driven in the Caterham. Or, at least I didn't anyway.
After being crashed into whilst in the Megane last month, I can certainly appreciate the crash protection a larger car offers.
I've yet to drive the Caterham since (weather has been awful), but I am a little nervous about getting into it again.
After being crashed into whilst in the Megane last month, I can certainly appreciate the crash protection a larger car offers.
I've yet to drive the Caterham since (weather has been awful), but I am a little nervous about getting into it again.
I can almost sympathise with the passenger.
I recently went from a Mondeo to a Corsa.
I found in the Mondeo I was lot more relaxed on the motorway (Possibly because it would sit at 2k revs in 6th) where as the Corsa is doing 3.5 k revs in 5th. I also found that any gust of wind was much more noticeable in the Corsa. Also, where as sitting at 90 (ahem!) in the Mondeo didn't feel that fast it was much more noticeable in the Corsa. I also was a lot happier passing HGV's in the bigger car. And people didn't try to push me out the way as much.
I recently went from a Mondeo to a Corsa.
I found in the Mondeo I was lot more relaxed on the motorway (Possibly because it would sit at 2k revs in 6th) where as the Corsa is doing 3.5 k revs in 5th. I also found that any gust of wind was much more noticeable in the Corsa. Also, where as sitting at 90 (ahem!) in the Mondeo didn't feel that fast it was much more noticeable in the Corsa. I also was a lot happier passing HGV's in the bigger car. And people didn't try to push me out the way as much.
Tannedbaldhead said:
Borrowed my mum's little automatic i10 for a day's shopping in Glasgow then to attend the work's Xmas dinner. Around the city I can't think of a more near-to-perfect way to getting about and to park. Even on a windy motorway it was reasonably stable and able to maintain a steady 80-85mph with ease. I found it a very likeable little car and can see why the motoring press have taken it to their hearts.
The only problem was a colleague I gave a lift home to was terrified. I thought my driving was fairly undramatic. I was. It turned out his terror was just from being in such a small car on the motorway.
Who has sympathy? Who thinks "bid girl's blouse"?
I think the guy is an idiot, who has swallowed the road safety scare stories.The only problem was a colleague I gave a lift home to was terrified. I thought my driving was fairly undramatic. I was. It turned out his terror was just from being in such a small car on the motorway.
Who has sympathy? Who thinks "bid girl's blouse"?
The fact is, he is overwhelmingly likely to die of a cause other than an rta. I rather imagine the guy would be a s
t driver, but drives something hefty to make sure he's ok in the accident he feels likely to have. I wouldn't say I was scared when driving in a smaller car, but I am aware that if I had a crash in one I'd be pretty badly off as a result. Driving my Mk.1 MX-5 on motorways and having the sides of trucks loom up above me made me very aware of how small and fragile my car was, but I never felt scared.
The biggest thing I've driven on UK roads was an old Merc ML, and I can appreciate how the size and height of your seating position can boost your confidence (and the ego of many drivers too).
The only thing that scares me when being a passenger is the driver if they are not too good. Its the late-braker's that get me - the invisible passenger footbrake gets an unconscious workout when I'm sat with someone like that!
The biggest thing I've driven on UK roads was an old Merc ML, and I can appreciate how the size and height of your seating position can boost your confidence (and the ego of many drivers too).
The only thing that scares me when being a passenger is the driver if they are not too good. Its the late-braker's that get me - the invisible passenger footbrake gets an unconscious workout when I'm sat with someone like that!
Seriously? How can this even be an issue? These kinds of people seem to have some warped perceptions about safety. I have never felt uneasy in a car, be it a Smart or a Ford Excurison EL.
I get the point that you might be better off in a crash involving another vehicle if you are in the bigger car, but to feel uneasy in a small car is a bit over the top I think.
I get the point that you might be better off in a crash involving another vehicle if you are in the bigger car, but to feel uneasy in a small car is a bit over the top I think.
dazwalsh said:
I find the more sound proofing it has the more safe it seems, that and looking out over a huge crumple zone helps. I dread to think how a smart car would fair out in a crash with anything bigger than itself.
there you gohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_472L2kLp0
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