Small Car, big leg room?

UnoriginalGuy_2

I'm after a small car with pretty good MpG that a guy can fit into. I'm around 6'1". I can spend up to around 4-5k either new or used.

I'd ideally like something German, or Japanese since I've heard they're far more reliable than American, French, and Italian brands (is that true?).

Can anyone recommend anything? KIA might be an option (Chinese) but are they reliable?

Edit: I really liked the Ford Focus I learned to drive in. But my knees hit the steering wheel with the seat fully back and the wheel all the way up. It just accelerated fast off the line and was a very good "all around" car.

anewman

I'm 6'3". Not tried all that many cars myself, but the Astra Mk 5 I learned in wasn't too bad. The Fabia is quite good, surprisingly for it's size. (I assume as this is based on the VW Polo the Polo will be about the same).

Japanese are most reliable. The reliability of German cars in comparison with the likes of Ford, Vauxhall, etc is debatable.

angeltreats

The Punto is definitely the biggest small car I've been in or driven. My husband is about 6' and there's plenty of room for his lanky legs. Lots of space in the back too.

As far as reliability goes, he's not had any trouble with his but they're not exactly renowned for being reliable...

Rolandtheroadie

I'm 6ft 2 and have never had a problem. Is there perhaps more options with moving the seat?

ccygirl

I've got a Mitsubishi Colt, it's very flexible internally. I move the back seats forward when I do my large family shop. I can fit my 2 teenagers and my 10 year old in the back when I drop my hubby off at the pub! We bought it because of the space inside and it's very good on petrol. Can't reccomend it enough.

arrowsmith

ccygirl wrote: »

I've got a Mitsubishi Colt, it's very flexible internally.

ccygirl is right with the Colt, I bought one too as it has the best room in class bar none. You'll not find any car with more in the same class and you'll struggle in the class above.

I've been to see Toyota Yaris/Auris, Honda Jazz/Civic, Kia Rio/Ceed/Soul, Hyundai i20/i30 and they all offer very poor leg room. The Ford Fiesta has good legroom in the front but none in the back, same goes for the Opel Corsa. Skoda Fabia ok but feels narrow and peddles aren't at a great angle. I'd not even check a German brand, except perhaps BMW. VW has been worst brand for long term reliability for several years running in the US and not by a small margin!

Forget what any journalist says about a car, especially when they say something is roomy. They know nothing at all about anything except soft touch plastics and how they perceive it to drive.

Inactive

UnoriginalGuy wrote: »

Can anyone recommend anything? KIA might be an option (Chinese) but are they reliable?

Kia most certainly is not Chinese, they are part of the Hyundai Group and are based in Korea, however some models are made in the Czech Republic which as you will know is in Europe, since the first of January 2010 all Kia models come with a 7 year warranty.

petrolhead69

merc a class. tons of legroom.

rev_henry

arrowsmith wrote: »

Forget what any journalist says about a car, especially when they say something is roomy. They know nothing at all about anything except soft touch plastics and how they perceive it to drive.

:T :rotfl:

Anihilator

I suggest you are the problem.

Having driven a Yaris before ( and being taller than you) I can advise leg room is most definitly not poor

angeltreats

Anihilator wrote: »

I suggest you are the problem.

Having driven a Yaris before ( and being taller than you) I can advise leg room is most definitly not poor

Perhaps you have stumpy legs.