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Why not move up in the world and buy a proper sized car? ;)
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Well, there are a number of reasons. Firstly the space on my parents driveway is very small. Small cars are very good though for getting through small gaps in traffic, and getting into/out of small parking spaces. Bigger cars also tend to be slower, and thirstier, which is a complete waste. Oh, it's also very handy when doing work on the car in the garage, it is a lot easier to work on when there is some space to spare.
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i think them sissycento"s are cracking little cars even with the 899cc engine fitted, the only downside is there aint a lot between you and any accident,if you can live with that i would keep it too if i was you.
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One of the reasons the Corsa seemed OKish, I'd say, is 'cos it's nearing the end of production, so they'll have made it as good as it can be!Plus it's not supposed to be in the same sector as your Fiat, the Panda & Pug/Toyota/Cit.
Out of the city cars around, Picanto is favourite, amongst plenty of Broomers.
If you fancy something modern & good value, take a look at Suzuki Swift. Rather funky & MINI looking & tiny discounts, if you push the dealer.
VB
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Bigger cars tend to be slower? Not sure where you got that from, they usually tend to come with larger engines meaning they are often considerably quicker than learner cars and shopping carts. Most small cars have 0-60 times higher than 10 seconds and sub 100mph top speeds...
A lot of people come up with all sorts of reasons why small cars are the best but to be quite honest aside from the space on the driveway issue and perhaps reversing parking on the street none of them really hold any water. I spend 80% of my time in town and can hand on heart say I have never had a situation in traffic whereby if I had a Fiesta I'd have been able to proceed yet in my Mondeo I wouldn't.
I have, however, had plenty of traffic-filled trips in complete comfort rather than sitting in a small box having paid a small fortune for it...
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michael R, I agree also larger cars are sfer on the motorway
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Bigger cars tend to be slower? Not sure where you got that from, they usually tend to come with larger engines meaning they are often considerably quicker than learner cars and shopping carts. Most small cars have 0-60 times higher than 10 seconds and sub 100mph top speeds... A lot of people come up with all sorts of reasons why small cars are the best but to be quite honest aside from the space on the driveway issue and perhaps reversing parking on the street none of them really hold any water. I spend 80% of my time in town and can hand on heart say I have never had a situation in traffic whereby if I had a Fiesta I'd have been able to proceed yet in my Mondeo I wouldn't. I have, however, had plenty of traffic-filled trips in complete comfort rather than sitting in a small box having paid a small fortune for it...
Well, bigger cars need bigger engines to cope. With the same engines a bigger car would normally be slower than a smaller one. Small engines also tend to warm up quicker which I also consider to be a benefit.
The comfort in my car is more than good enough for me, I don't fill the steets the so many harmful gases with a smaller car, and save a fortune too.
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The fact they need big engines is irrelevent, they have them, and thus are not slower. As for warming up I get hot air out of the vent within 30 seconds or so, quick enough for me.
Don't really give a stuff about 'harmful gases' and as for saving a fortune I think you'll be quiet dissapointed when you do the maths and discover the fuel cost difference between a 25mpg 'gas guzzler' and a 35mpg Fiesta around town is just 300 quid over 7000 miles - the sort of money you'd save by buying a larger car anyway.
Common opinion is that small cars are undoubtedly the best choice for city driving and that big cars are merely a hassle and very thirsty. People take this as gospel, but when you actually sit down and work it out the difference is very small.
Infact the only significantly greater cost I get as a result of running a larger car is tyre costs - they are more than double the price of those on small cars but then this is purely becuase I have 16" alloy wheels on my car, if I had steel wheels or whatever even tyre cost would be the same as an old Fiesta..
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Pt, have you tried a (nearly)new MICRA? We had the use of one for a couple of weeks last year and I was very impressed.
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IanS
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I had a Cinquecento about 10 years ago. It was a lot of fun but was tedious on motorways.
I reckon small cars are much better now - you just haven't tried the right ones. Try the Suzuki Swift and Daihatsu Sirion then see what you think.
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Ian, I take it you are talking about the current Micra. I haven't tried that one, I suppose I would look at them when I finally decide to replace my car. They don't really sound like my cup of tea reading the reviews. They look... well, pretty bad, performance, and fuel economy is OK, but nothing special, and I would probably prefer something sportier.
I have never found my car tedious on an m/way, and rarely drive on m/ways anyway. On one occasion I did about 300 miles in a day, I was still happy, and got almost 60mpg. My regular commute is along a NSL single carriadgeway road, my car can take all of the bends at 60mph, and can just about overtake when oppourtunities are available. It puts a smile on my face every day :-)
Most of the new cars seem to be getting wider, and I would like to stick with a truely small car!
Modern safety devices are good, but not if they spoil the drive. The safety doesn't really bother me, I'm willing to take the small chance. They will also be putting up the price of the car. When Seicentos were around they could be had really cheap.
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Most of the new cars seem to be getting wider, and I would like to stick with a truely small car!
Daihatsu Charade is the only modern narrow car I can think of, great cars, good acceleration and MPG but might not meet your sporting criteria.
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They don't really sound like my cup of tea reading the reviews.
I thought your original post suggested you disagreed with most if not all reviews. Sounds like a firm basis for going out and trying that Micra!
To me, you want a replacement of what you've already got. It's no good complaining about features in a new car if they're there to serve a good purpose - eg. safety features. Its like complaining about a 3 bedroom house because you wanted a two bedroom house.
If you like what you've got, stick with it or find a reconditioned newer version of the same.
Splodgeface
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