Gransnet forums

Chat

Cars are getting far too big.

(10 Posts)
watermeadow Sun 26-Apr-26 17:26:49

Agreed, they’re built like tanks. My daughter, who has one, said they are safer than smaller cars but they wouldn’t be safer for anyone, or another vehicle, which gets hit by one.

Cossy Sun 26-Apr-26 17:10:49

Yes!!

GrannyGravy13 Sun 26-Apr-26 17:02:53

I agree Georgesgran

We have always had cars that we needed for children, horses (towing) and elderly parents.

Both DH and I now have the cars we want, mine is a soft top, DH’s is a new 4 X 4 plug-in hybrid.

It’s not the size of the cars, it’s the failure of car parks to adapt to current sizes.

rosie1959 Sun 26-Apr-26 17:01:14

Everyone has a choice on what car they drive and what is right for them and quite honestly a lot of parking spaces are too small. My husband drives an SUV because due to physical difficulties it’s easier for him but he has to be careful where he parks as he needs room to get out. It’s fine if I am with him as I can easily get in.
My son has just been round and his car is huge but it’s a work horse.
My car is normal size and that works for me but it would be a pain for us on long trips as it has the acceleration of a go cart lol

Georgesgran Sun 26-Apr-26 16:55:34

Horses for courses?

I currently have a Mini, but when we had dogs, DH drove a twin-cab to keep them away from the passenger cabin. I had a big estate car, a Sportbrake, to take the dogs if needed occasionally. However,
I’m thinking the Mini will have to go, as I can’t get DD2, DGS2, their dog and the wheelchair in it, so we always go in DD2’s SUV, which actually does more mpg than the Mini and was list-priced cheaper.
DD1 drives a real gas guzzler - it’s old, thirsty and the annual ‘tax’ is eye watering, but she works on a building site and it’s perfect for her needs.
I think it’s the car parks that are behind the times, but they won’t increase the space sizes, because they want to cram in as many cars as possible.

Cossy Sun 26-Apr-26 15:46:05

Chocolatelovinggran

Indeed. I drive a tiny Aygo, and find the parking spaces fine, unless, of course I am sandwiched between two enormous cars. Each of these seems to require three places - one for the car, and one either side for door opening purposes.

Some much larger cars have sliding back doors which I think is very sensible.

Cossy Sun 26-Apr-26 15:45:11

I drive a medium sized car now.

I see plenty of smaller and larger cars around.

When we had three children in their youth and two dogs we had much larger cars.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 26-Apr-26 15:43:08

Indeed. I drive a tiny Aygo, and find the parking spaces fine, unless, of course I am sandwiched between two enormous cars. Each of these seems to require three places - one for the car, and one either side for door opening purposes.

AGAA4 Sun 26-Apr-26 15:06:32

My little VW often gets lost in a car park with these monsters. Most people don't need enormous cars.

ROMILO Sun 26-Apr-26 15:01:49

The other day in a car park a car pulled into the space beside me. It was the biggest, most ugly box on wheels that I have ever seen. The driver was a small slim woman who could have done with a set of steps just to get out.
Why in this supposedly eco friendly age do we need bigger and bigger vehicles?
Are we getting fatter,do we have more children , luggage or shopping than years ago?
You would have to look long and hard to find any vehicle the size of the old mini or fiesta from 30 years ago, and finally when will the car park designers finally catch up with the extra space needed to accommodate these very large vehicles?