Dingdongler

Strange title I know. Basically I want a small car that is big on the inside. My mum has a Honda Jazz which is a bit like that, tiny from the outside but the seats all fold down and is a hatchback so I can get more in it than my 5 series.

I want something like that but nicer. It needs to be small/medium so my wife can drive it easily (she hates driving) but can take two adults, two children and weeks shopping regularly. And also sometimes allow three people to sit across the back, ie the transmission tunnel doesn't make it impossible as it does in my 5 series.

So basically I want one of those clever cars where they've managed to pack in a lot of flexibility into a small/medium car/


Any suggestions?

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

The newish Meriva?

craigo

iTrader: (1)

The "Tartis" Mahoosive inside

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

The small wedged shaped mercs think it's an A class,they come in long and short wheelbase.

My mums old vw polo fox was a little tardis, i tried to get an old washing machine in my escort estate and it would not go for love nor money, the polo swallowed it with room to spare, go figure.

The Zohan

Civic???

Jamescsti

Merc A class.
Has 3 proper seats across the back, also my mums which was a few years old now allowed you to remove the rear seats completely which gave a useful load area like a little van.

I drove it for a week or so and it was a decent drive too.

Coffin Dodger

What's wrong with a Jazz then

Considered one for my missus several years back but the second hand values were quite high, ended up with a Mitsubishi Colt (Smart ForFour is the same underpinnings).

IWatkins

Ford Focus too big? Huge inside.

zip106

S-Max.

nik52wrx

Skoda Yeti?

Dingdongler

Thanks, lots of ideas.

I drove an A class once and thought it was horrid. Everything from the gear change, the ride, the steering etc were awful. Perhaps it was an older model?

Zip, the s max is probably too big. Anybody got any experience of the c max?

I'll look into the Civic as I've always been impressed by my mum's Jazz.

I hadn't thought about a Focus, will look into that.

Also forgot to mention it has to be auto and I've often heard Ford auto boxes are rubbish

hodgy0_2

possible a bit too big as well

but some friends have a VW Touran -- really clever seats etc

and with nice Tan leather interior looks reall nice inside

Jamescsti

Just thought of another one, what about a golf plus?

Cocker

iTrader: (3)

Toyota Aygo. I can fit in comfortably in all seats in the Mrs' one and im 6'4, 15 stone. The boot is a bit on the small size though

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

Honda frv.but people carrier type

stonefish

Civic Type R Ep3 mate, Great car i had mine till my lad was 3years old there was loads of room in the back, and the boot was really big, thinking about it it's got more space inside then my scooby.. Good luck on your hunt..

Bealescooby

iTrader: (36)

had a c max last year average all round car but plasticy dash and inside aint that nice swapped for a golf plus which i would say would tick all your boxes

Luan Pra bang

Nissan Cube.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Audi a3 sportback

fastmike

iTrader: (4)

a taxi

wrx287

iTrader: (8)

Mercedes B class. Like an A class LWB.

Steve vRS

Skoda Octavia vRS with a semi auto flappy paddle slush box.

Massive boot!

Steve

ScoobyWon't

Mondeo estate. You could fit an aircraft carrier in the boot when the seats are down.

SRSport

The B class is the master at what you want and is the reason I ended up with one. I test drove the B150 which is was dull as they come so bought the 2.0 Turbo version which adds a bit of spice into the mix.

I only seem to have a pic of the back of it Im afraid but it looks compact on the outside and is but the floor plan is very clever. A lot of what normally is in front of the cockpit sits below it, elevating the driving position and giving you C-E class space inside.

...seamus...

A colleague has an identical but lpg'd version of that 2.0 B class

it's a very nice car indeed and surprisingly roomy inside

not cheap though

SRSport

Was it the Turbo model? The Turbo is the one to get as you get a host of extras included in the price such as half leather seats, AMG alloys, upgraded exterior trim dual zone climate control etc. I only used 4mpg less compared to the B150 due to not having to rev it so hard to get anywhere and you get a whole lot of torque and power for a car of this type.

Mine was £9000 with 27,000 miles. You need to be careful with rust though as Mercedes and in particular with pre '56 B classes they tried to cut corners on the dipping process. On the whole it is a far nicer car than my inlaws C max titanium that was bought for the same money and only 1 year newer.

...seamus...

yes mate - identical to yours

sat nav, tip auto, half black leather, c/c, etc etc

very nice - hers is about 55k and she paid £8500 which was a good price including the lpg conversion

Dingdongler

Thanks guys, looked into some suggestions already and will look into the others

1) Golf plus, looked promising and then an online review said not much more room than a standard golf.

2) Mondeo estate, Touran etc too big. They are just big cars, not big small cars if you get my drift

3) Type R? Lovely car but don't need anything sporty like that.

4) Skoda?? I'm sure they are fantastic cars but NO way am I driving a Skoda

Thanks again, will look into the B Class and Toyota Aygo later

Fat Boy

Nah do the opposite - I've just bought an old Bentley 8. it takes up one and a half parking spaces yet is only reasonably large inside.

Eco friendly too at 6.8 litres

3 mates and me have bought it between us to go to Le Mans in next weekend - a grand each and it's hysterical. I've done about 200 miles in it so far just driving the neighbours" kids round the block with them doing the Queeny wave in the backseat.

SRSport

Although the Mercedes has more presence and is arguably the nicer car to be in and to look at - although very subjective - the Toyota would be the car to offer less hassle. Japan quality out trumps German quality these days.