Raised cars (couldnt think of a better name)

System

My choices would be Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai or VW Tiguan.

Alexd52

Also consider the Honda CRV, very reliable. Another advantage of the higher seating position on motorway driving is when it is wet and there is a lot of spray, visibility is just that bit better.

ACG

Im just outside of Manchester, Ive moved into Cheshire (cheaper car insurance ) so a lot of journeys are 20-60 mile round trips. But I occasionally go and see clients in Birmingham, Sheffield, Leicester etc so there can be a few 200 mile round trips popping up.

almillar

Daihatsu Terios or Toyota RAV 4 - choose your budget from £1,000 upwards! 3 door RAV 4 isn't a big car before you confuse it with the 5.

getmore4less

Have you considered a Dacia Duster

you are well into brand new with the budget
http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?action=search&keywords=dacia

plenty of others new at that price range.

or get something much nicer comfort toys and a bit older.

if something a bit more sporty the Ocatavia VRS is hard to better on value.

Hanky_Panky

ACG wrote: »

I think I would rather ride a bike than drive a Fiat Panda/500 or ford KA

I'm pretty certain all three of them would be a better drive than your Corsa.

Personally I'd go with a Golf (reasonably high) or something from the same group - Octavia, Leon etc. None of which are high but looking at what you've said so far I'm not sure you want 'high'.

ACG

Im pretty sure they would be better than my corsa (although it has got me from manchester to salisbury and manchester to Northampton without any issues)... but my family would tear me to pieces if i turned up in a fiat panda/500. I would have to wear a balaclava!

The more I think about it the more im leaning towards a qashqai.

forgotmyname

Stability on the motorway you want something long, wide and low and fairly heavy.

People assume the Juke is a big butch 4x4. Yet its still a Micra with big wheels and weighs less than people think. Seen many people on the caravan forums asking how big a van they can tow. Answer = a small one... The basic car weighs under 1200kg.

InsideInsurance

Bantex wrote: »

Maybe its a different thing now, but when I was in my early 20s, safety etc was the last thing I was interested in from a car.

Sounds like the OP is a bit of a nervous driver and so its not a true safety concern. Indeed tall vehicles are more prone to rolling, just because they are big doesnt necessarily mean they are strong or have the best safety mechanisms built in them.

Can also be what you're used to, the Mrs only grew up with SUV type cars and so going from that to a low 2 seater was a big change in how speed feels, how lorries loom over you more, more spray, different view of the road and cannot see the end of the bonnet.

Ultimately others have suggested good things, the problem with a taller vehicle is that they more susceptible to side winds etc as they have a larger profile and so a similar weight vehicle that's a lower profile will be less impacted. Of cause if you get stiffer suspension then this can partially counter roll etc but that makes the journey overall less comfortable as you feel every imperfection in the road a lot more (and we have a lot of imperfections in our roads)


I personally wouldnt be wanting a high vehicle but I guess it depends just how scared you are of lorries (and realistically how often they are overtaking you or youre sandwiched between them). May be worth actually going out with friends, even just as a passenger, with different styles of car and actually see if the higher car makes the difference you think it will or not etc.

ACG

Im not into the juke - I cant get my head around it, it looks odd.

Taller vehicles may be the wrong phrase. Possibly higher seating position?