Small car with smooth ride?

[Elliej100]

So I'm looking to get a car - budget around £8k, I'm basically looking for the smoothest ride possible because I've got a head nerve problem. Are there any smallish cars models that have decent suspension?

I'm in love with the old MK1 Ford fiestas and VW Golfs but I'm not sure they'll be that smooth, is modding the suspension an option in these cars at all?

Any input to either question is incredibly welcome,
Ellie

[Rozzers]

Rover 200 on the smallest possible wheels.

[Crusoe]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209039...

Larger car will be comfier

[andrew]

mk 1 fiesta was a great little car, but the ride was not that smooth : even the metro was better !

i believe that you need to think french...

[LuS1fer]

2CV, Dyane, Ami, GSA, Visa.

[andrew]

i'm thinking c3

[The Wookie]

Bought a Skoda Citigo for a family friend a little while back, was very surprised at how well it rode for a little car

Felt like a car 2 sizes larger to drive

As a 3 door it was exceptionally easy to get in and out too

[Equus]

andrew said:

i believe that you need to think french...

Citroen, Peugeot or Renault; and not one of their sporting models.

Your budget would buy you a very good Citroen C6, which is proper magic-carpet ride even by luxury car standards, but it's hardly a small car and running costs may be a problem. Some of the Citroen C5 models (usually the 'Exclusive' specs) have the C6's hydropneumatic suspension, but again may be a bit big for you.

The smaller Citroen/Peugeot/Renault models all have conventional steel sprung suspension, but they do traditionally tend to be set up for a softer ride than other European manufacturers.

Edited by Equus on Saturday 3rd September 21:06

[r1ch]

I was thinking something French too, although I seem to remember my Focus mk1 being fairly compliant ride.

[Cobracc]

Had a Peugeot 208 active hire car once. Really smooth ride, especially with the tiny 15" wheels...

[VS02]

Volkswagen Polo.

I had one. Much better riding than my new car, but then it did have puny 14 inch wheels.




This one is much better. Big car feel in small car package.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208188...

Can be had in this engine as a 5 door on low to reasonable miles from £7750 but I sent this one as it photographs quite well

Nice ride, 6 speed gearbox (more refined on the motorway and a lot quieter), cruise control, parking sensors, touchscreen with DAB radio, bluetooth phone and media, Apple CarPlay, android auto, electric mirrors, alloy wheels, comfy seats.

Not to mention this has the pokey 1.2 TSI engine which means it can easily keep up with traffic and on motorways/dual carriageways without feeling laboured/noisy.

Much better value than an Audi A1 (and much better riding), perceived quality is also much nicer than the french alternatives and the Ford Fiesta (if not as fun to drive as the Ford)

Cheap to insure, will also hold its value when you want to sell it. (I sold mine easily for a £1600 profit after 2 and a half years and nearly 15k miles)

I loved my little Polo - it is literally the definitive small car

Edited by VS02 on Saturday 3rd September 22:23

[vaud]

Peugeot 2008 is bland but had a pretty good ride.

Whatever you look for, aim for the smallest wheels possible. Tyres vary but some are a better ride than others.

Air suspension is your ideal, but not many in small cars.

[Snow and Rocks]

vaud said:

Peugeot 2008 is bland but had a pretty good ride.

Whatever you look for, aim for the smallest wheels possible. Tyres vary but some are a better ride than others.

Air suspension is your ideal, but not many in small cars.

This, even my brothers Audi TT which is boneshaking and borderline unbearable on the standard big alloys and low profile tyres rides well on 16s and tall profile winter tyres.

Polo isn't a bad shout. I didn't particularly like it but the absolutely gutless 1.2 ~2015 model mu girlfriend owned briefly rode well for what it was.

[RammyMP]

Avoid anything made by Vauxhall

[Pica-Pica]

VS02 said:

Volkswagen Polo.

I had one. Much better riding than my new car, but then it did have puny 14 inch wheels.




This one is much better. Big car feel in small car package.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208188...

Can be had in this engine as a 5 door on low to reasonable miles from £7750 but I sent this one as it photographs quite well

Nice ride, 6 speed gearbox (more refined on the motorway and a lot quieter), cruise control, parking sensors, touchscreen with DAB radio, bluetooth phone and media, Apple CarPlay, android auto, electric mirrors, alloy wheels, comfy seats.

Not to mention this has the pokey 1.2 TSI engine which means it can easily keep up with traffic and on motorways/dual carriageways without feeling laboured/noisy.

Much better value than an Audi A1 (and much better riding), perceived quality is also much nicer than the french alternatives and the Ford Fiesta (if not as fun to drive as the Ford)

Cheap to insure, will also hold its value when you want to sell it. (I sold mine easily for a £1600 profit after 2 and a half years and nearly 15k miles)

I loved my little Polo - it is literally the definitive small

Edited by VS02 on Saturday 3rd September 21:12

I can certainly vouch for the 1.2TSi engine, we had the same engine in our Fabia. Torque engine, light clutch. Great power train combo.

[VS02]

Snow and Rocks said:

Polo isn't a bad shout. I didn't particularly like it but the absolutely gutless 1.2 ~2015 model mu girlfriend owned briefly rode well for what it was.

Must stress enough to the OP that the 1.2 TSI turbo petrol mentioned in my post is different to the wheezy 1.2 3 cylinder (as well as the even slower 1.0 with 59bhp which I had)

My Polo took an asthmatic 16.5 seconds to get to 60. Once it got going it was pleasant enough (at least it had a nice 3 cylinder thrum), but the 1.2 TSI solves that problem and gives it nice mid range poke. It has 90BHP and takes 10.5 seconds to 60 which is more than fine (the power is delivered at a much lower rpm)

[MrGTI6]

Citroen C4 Cactus. Just avoid the ETG (automated manual) gearbox. Lovely ride and comfy seats. Weighs in at less than a tonne as well.

[Evanivitch]

RammyMP said:

Avoid anything made by Vauxhall

And Mazda zoom-zoom era.

[alabbasi]

What you need is something with marshmallow tires. 65 or 70 profile min would do the job. No idea if there are any new cars in the UK that fit the bill. In the US, it would be a truck or truck like SUV.

[nickfrog]

Yaris on 15' balloon tyres have a very comfy ride IME.

Edited by nickfrog on Sunday 4th September 00:42