The comparative size of cars

[TheDoctor]

A friend has an Audi A1. Back seats are very tight, and the boot will just about fit two cockapoos.
Length 4029mm.
I once had a Hyundai Matrix. Would seat 4 adults comfortably, and the boot would hold 4 Bromptons.
Length 4036mm.

 

[wiggydiggy]

A friend has an Audi A1. Back seats are very tight, and the boot will just about fit two cockapoos.
Length 4029mm.
I once had a Hyundai Matrix. Would seat 4 adults comfortably, and the boot would hold 4 Bromptons.
Length 4036mm.

Theres a Hyudai Matrix around the corner from me, very clever little MPV plus the chance to ask "Are we still in the Matrix?" every time you get in! 💊

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Theres a Hyudai Matrix around the corner from me, very clever little MPV plus the chance to ask "Are we still in the Matrix?" every time you get in! 💊

I would be tempted to keep a box of red and blue Smarties in the car

 

[presta]

I think you're missing the point. The pedals and steering wheel are now further back from the bulkhead (the metal that seperates you from the engine bay) because the front passengers have been moved backwards to afford drivers more space before their legs get crushed.

The cabins are smaller as there is more pretection/distance from the panels. They didn't make the interior have less volume for no reason.

The way to improve safety is by moving the seat further from the bulkhead or the bulkhead further from the seat, not by moving the dashboard closer to the legs of tall people.

The British Society of Achitects claims it isn't a problem in most instances, or is at least being misrepresented. After all, a 1.7 tonne electric hatchback weighs rather less than a 2.2 tonne diesel Range Rover.

I doubt that car parks are designed on the basis that every space will be occupied by a 2.2 tonne Range Rover, but the day may come when every space is occupied by an EV. If the average weight of a car park full of EVs is be more than the average weight of a car park full of ICEs, it will erode away at the safety margin.

Struggling to think of any car I've driven I've bought in the last 2 decades yhat didn't have split rear seats, even my Polo.

Although... both seats down and a wheel off if i want my bike to fit inside.

So it took 20 years for everyone else to catch up with the Accord? Mine had antilock brakes, aircon, cruise control, fuel injection and electric windows, none of which were on a 1986 Sierra or BMW 3 series. I don't think they had four wheel ventilated discs, or speed sensitive PAS either.

I think you're being a bit harsh given they were from the late 50s. They were fun to drive, handled and held the road well, quite nippy, maybe actually quick for the time in 1275 guise. Reasonably solid mechanically I'd have said. OK they rusted, but so did most cars back then

My Mini had as much legroom in it as the Focus I was in last month.

I'd guess that those are 44", or 48" tyres?
View attachment 755969

There used to be a Ford truck similar to that not far from here. What struck me every time I passed it was that it was taller than I am, and I'm 6'5".

 

[Drago]

I doubt that car parks are designed on the basis that every space will be occupied by a 2.2 tonne Range Rover, but the day may come when every space is occupied by an EV. If the average weight of a car park full of EVs is be more than the average weight of a car park full of ICEs, it will erode away at the safety margin.

Yet the British Society of Architects says this is a nonsense in all but the most elderly and poorly maintained cases.

Where were these fears when the mass of the average ICE car went from under a tonne to around 1450kg (petrol) and 1600kg (diesel). People weren't whittling about that, which suggests this is,simply another part of the anti-electric narrative.

The people properly most qualified to understand the issue aren't unduly concerned, so why should we be listening to the opions of journalists, dustmen, factory workers, office staff and cyclists on the subject?

 

[lazybloke]

So it took 20 years for everyone else to catch up with the Accord? Mine had antilock brakes, aircon, cruise control, fuel injection and electric windows,

I bought a 94 Honda that had all that except for aircon. Damn, i wish i'd bought one with aircon.

none of which were on a 1986 Sierra or BMW 3 series. I don't think they had four wheel ventilated discs, or speed sensitive PAS either.

My folks had a 1982 or '83 Sierra that had a decent spec. I can remember elec windows, electronic ignition and fuel injection. Not sure what else, but it was supremely comfortable - like driving an armchair. Don't know what the lesser trim levels were like; this was the Ghia model.


It was the first car i drove after passing my test, and compared to my instructor's diesel Citroen Visa, it was amazing.

 

[Punkawallah]

View attachment 755149
i know which would be easier to fit in a Morrisons car park! (But less room for the shopping!)

‘Less room’? The MG has five miles head room!

 

[Gunk]

I bought a 94 Honda that had all that except for aircon. Damn, i wish i'd bought one with aircon.

back then very few cars had air con, I had a Golf VR6 with leather, sunroof but no air con, it was an absolute sauna in the summer.

 

[Retyred.life]

2000 Range Rover HSE. IMO opinion the finest vehicle evaaaa!
Bought mine out of the box. Did 50 000kms in three years, half of which was rough African roads, no (Zero) problems whatsoever.
Reason for sale? Stupidity!
Its replacement, Nissan Patrol GRX was a more rugged vehicle 'probably' better suited to my use, (never cared about bodywork scratches for example) but didn't have an ounce of the cachet.

Not my actual car.

 

[Gunk]

I always thought they were the least successful RR design. They just looked a bit awkward

 

[mustang1]

back then very few cars had air con, I had a Golf VR6 with leather, sunroof but no air con, it was an absolute sauna in the summer.

Back in those days, the salesmen used to tell me you don't need air con because the car has a sunroof and I always used to think what an unusual view that was.

 

[Gunk]

Back in those days, the salesmen used to tell me you don't need air con because the car has a sunroof and I always used to think what an unusual view that was.

The biggest luxury was to have both!

 

[FrankCrank]

Our Mazda CX-3 unfortunately has a sunroof, totally useless in the tropics as air-con is used year round. Came as part of the spec, I wanted the one with biggest wheels, and that meant having the sunroof and leather seats, another useless thing in the tropics.

Recently had to return the car to main stealer to fix the sunroof, was leaking in the rainy season during heavy downpours.
I hate it even more now.

The only thing more daft here, are cabriolet cars. Yep, you do see them occasionally

 

[Beebo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0lldd30xlo

The first Tesla Cyber Truck has been taken off the road in the UK.
They are not deemed road legal here.

 

[Baldy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0lldd30xlo

The first Tesla Cyber Truck has been taken off the road in the UK.
They are not deemed road legal here.

Apart from anything else, they're far too ugly to be seen on our roads.