Motoring The Ten Worst Small Cars For Big People

[XLF Reporter]

Automotive web site Jalopnik recently polled their visitors asking them to name the worst small cars for big people. Most of the responses were geared towards cars that are not well suited for tall people but based upon the selections some of them are obviously not recommended for big nor tall drivers.

Here is their list and the reasons behind them...

1. Peel P50
   Just watch this video of Jeremy Clarkson in a Peel.
   
   
   
2. Lancia Stratos
   "I'm going to change gears now, this will involve man-touching."
   
   
3. BMW Isetta
   It's the perfect date car because the person you're picking up will practically be sitting in your lap the whole ride. Also, it looks great.
   
   
4. F1, any model (specialized race car)
   Formula One drivers are larger than life, but in real life most of them are quite small for a reason.
   
   
5. Triumph, any model
   True to the name, fitting into a Spitfire or Dolomite is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Of course, you'll spend so much time outside the car pushing it the cramped quarters aren't that inconvenient.
   
   
6. Mazda Miata
   If everyone could fit comfortably into a Miata, there'd be no reason why everyone wouldn't own one.
   
   
7. Pontiac Fiero
   As the joke goes: you don't get in a Pontiac Fiero, you put it on.
   
   
8. Lotus Elise
   If you're 5'11" we'd suggest learning to drive barefoot. But it's worth it.
   
   
9. Honda CVCC (1970's compact)
   It's so small, it makes the S2000 look like a bus.
   
   
10. Honda S2000 (convertible)
    Some drivers enjoy it with the top down. Not because they love the wind in their hair, but because their heads don't fit.

 

[BirdOPrey5]

Interesting list, but too bad they are all rare cars- there are plenty of popular cars that should be on such a list.

I went to the Infiniti dealer to have warranty work done on my QX56. They are supposed to give me a temporary dealer car while mine is in the shop. They tried to give me an "I" series. I physically could not fit in, my head was too high and my legs could not bend under the steering wheel. It took 20 minutes and the dealer manager to come out and see it in person before he cleared me to take a bigger car, which they didn't have ready. I never went back to that dealer.

 

[Kevin]

Interesting list, but too bad they are all rare cars- there are plenty of popular cars that should be on such a list.

From personal experience I would have to add the Honda CRX and the Saturn SC2.

In High School I was car shopping and looked at the CRX. After wedging myself in there the only way I was able to get back out was to go out butt first, butt on the ground, and then get the legs out. Was not a pretty sight. I think that was when I ended up with a Ford Aerostar minivan.

In more recent years my wife loved Saturn cars. She still drives one, an Ion coupe, but before that she drove an SC2 coupe. The thing was so short that the only way I could sit in the passenger seat, never mind trying to drive it, was if I tilted my head up into the sunroof area. Good thing we were never in an accident because my neck would've snapped instantly. o_O By contrast her Ion couple is still a little tight but much more headroom for me in it and I can actually sit in it mostly normal. My knees are touching the dash but it isn't that bad.

... the dealer manager to come out and see it in person before he cleared me to take a bigger car, which they didn't have ready. I never went back to that dealer.

So what did they end up as a loaner? My 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee is nearing the end of its life-span I think and I need to start looking around in the next few years. Most likely when the times I'll be looking at something used. Not sure I'll be leaning towards a newer model Jeep or looking at something else.

 

[BirdOPrey5]

They bumped me up to an old dirty Infinti M series they had sitting in the lot for probably weeks or months... it started which (aside from fitting in) was the only thing I really cared about. Even the M series wasn't roomy though, I was so tight in it I knew I was taking my life into risk just by driving it.

The new (2012) Grand Cherokees look real nice.

In Hawaii we had Ford Mustangs as rentals for a day on Big Island... good thing it was a nice day because I literally could not fit- height wise- with the roof up. It went down and stayed down the whole day- until they got me a Grand Cherokee I was promised.

 

[Kevin]

Turns out that Peel has been resurrected! Yep, the tiny little car that Jeremy Clarkson is crammed into in the video above.

Thanks to the UK show The Dragon's Den (the US version is named Shark Tank) production has resumed on the Peel P50 & Peel Trident for the first time since 1966. They are street legal in both the UK & US and will be selling for around $16,000 USD.

For that kind of money I can't see anybody buying one. I know that I most certainly won't be buying one. If I know somebody stupid silly enough to buy one though, I promise to post pics of me trying to stuff myself into it.

 

[BirdOPrey5]

They must have lowered the standards on what is "Street Legal" these days.

 

[Kevin]

They must have lowered the standards on what is "Street Legal" these days.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I wonder if that is why on their web site they are describing them as "replicas" as opposed to new production.

 

[BirdOPrey5]

Sneaky lawyers...

 

[Kevin]

This weekend I find myself driving a 2014 Dodge Avenger as my current normal drive is in the shop. Surprisingly it has plenty of headroom and the driver seat, in the lowest position and all of the way back, is comfortable without my knees being pushed into my chest like most small'ish cars. The headroom is helped by it having no sunroof but it looks like even with a sunroof that there'd still be enough room to avoid my head hitting the roof.

I actually like the looks of the Avenger as from a distance it looks like a Mini-Me version of the Dodge Charger. Unfortunately the engine in it is quite underwhelming; I'm pretty sure my old 1992 Geo Tracker would have been able to outrun this Avenger.

 

[StoneWolf]

I had a Triumph... Mountain Cub 200cc motorcycle. I miss it. It was fun.

But as to cars, I'm 6'2" 300 lbs, so a really big fellow, and my
dad owned a Detomaso Pentara, and I couldn't get into that car w/ my shoes on. That car was loud, fast & uncomfortable.

 

[Tom]

Well, I'm 2'2" and 500 lbs. I sit on the dash and use strings and sticks to drive. Yes, the dash cracks and goes up my butt but I don't mind. Brum, Brum!

 

[StoneWolf]

Somehow I doubt that, Tom. At least I HOPE that last part is hyperbole!

 

[Tom]

snort....NARF!

 

[Kevin]

I had a Triumph... Mountain Cub 200cc motorcycle. I miss it. It was fun.

I'm a bit sad to say that I've never had a cycle yet. Every so often when the pangs of being a middle-aged suburban male hit me I look around at trikes. So far Mrs. Kevin hasn't said "No!" to the idea yet but there are just so many other toys on my want list first.

But as to cars, I'm 6'2" 300 lbs, so a really big fellow, and my
dad owned a Detomaso Pentara, and I couldn't get into that car w/ my shoes on. That car was loud, fast & uncomfortable.

Well, there goes having a Pantera on my "Cars for when I win the lottery!" list.

 

[sci-fi-dude]

You would be surprised how much room is in a Fiero, I had a Gt fastback, yeup I miss it, and there was plenty of room in it, I currently have a Porsche 951, its lowered, but it has also has plenty of room inside it. From the outside they look smallish, but when you get in and adjust the seat, you are good to go...

 

[sci-fi-dude]

I'm a bit sad to say that I've never had a cycle yet. Every so often when the pangs of being a middle-aged suburban male hit me I look around at trikes. So far Mrs. Kevin hasn't said "No!" to the idea yet but there are just so many other toys on my want list first.


Well, there goes having a Pantera on my "Cars for when I win the lottery!" list.

This is and old post, but I'm going to throw my 2 cents in. You claim you are 6'2 at 300 lbs, you are a big dude. I think sports cars for you isn't wise unless its a convertible. You are too tall! Concentrate on larger vehicles like 4x4's, mini vans and the like. I love the Pantera, I'm 5-10, and I fit all the cool sports cars! Now if I could just find a nice 308 at a decent price! lol

Btw, old Tom Sellock was pretty tall, I heard they cut down the foam in his car so he wouldn't look dorky driving around the town.

 

[Kevin]

You would be surprised how much room is in a Fiero, I had a Gt fastback, yeup I miss it, and there was plenty of room in it, I currently have a Porsche 951, its lowered, but it has also has plenty of room inside it. From the outside they look smallish, but when you get in and adjust the seat, you are good to go...

Oooh, you like fast toys! Even if the 951 is roomy I suspect I'd look like I was stuffed in there and somebody slammed the door closed from the outside. "Quick,hold your breath!" {slam}

This is and old post, but I'm going to throw my 2 cents in. You claim you are 6'2 at 300 lbs, you are a big dude. I think sports cars for you isn't wise unless its a convertible. You are too tall! Concentrate on larger vehicles like 4x4's, mini vans and the like. I love the Pantera, I'm 5-10, and I fit all the cool sports cars! Now if I could just find a nice 308 at a decent price! lol

Yep, 6'2" @ roughly 300 lbs (it fluctuates). Fortunately the weight is distributed so I resemble more of an NFL linebacker than, say, Chris Christie. Sadly, I have to confirm that I am destined for a life of SUVs and similar vehicles. To give an idea of my current & last few vehicles.... newer Jeep Grand Cherokee, older Jeep Grand Cherokee, Geo Tracker (I actually miss that one, it was a fun vehicle around town), Ford Aerostar, old style Chevy Suburban (I definitely miss that one!), Ford Escort GT, Ford Granada, and there's a no-longer running Chrysler LeBaron convertible still sitting in my driveway. I feel as though I'm missing something from that list, not sure.

Btw, old Tom Sellock was pretty tall, I heard they cut down the foam in his car so he wouldn't look dorky driving around the town.

Maybe, but I still wouldn't mind driving around Hawaii in a 308 even if I looked like a giraffe towering over the windshield.

 

[sci-fi-dude]

Yes Tom Sellock, in some scenes was above the top edge of the windshield. Yeup, My neighbor bought a cool 85' land cruiser, I gave him a hand on the tune up and some cool upgrades. Nice to meet you Kevin. You and Tom are some pretty cool gents. Btw, Ed on wheeler dealers is also a tall gent, he did a tiny spitfire with mike, and they took it out for a spin, during the drive by photographing you could clearly see old Ed towering above the windshield with goggles on, but one has to give him credit, for rolling in a small car.