# In the market for a Tardis(sort of) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 21, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468 "2011-01-21T17:09:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/1 "2011-01-21T17:09:52Z")
I’m looking for a subcompact or compact car that a larger person would feel comfortable in. Good mileage and a smooth ride would be a plus, and it would have to have an automatic transmission. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/2 "2011-01-21T17:33:56Z")
Also, headroom is a must. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/3 "2011-01-21T17:42:36Z")
So you want something that’s relatively tall. How about a Smart Fortwo? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/4 "2011-01-21T18:03:02Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > So you want something that’s relatively tall. How about a Smart Fortwo? 🙂 How wide are the seats, and how’s the legroom? ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/5 "2011-01-21T18:07:13Z")
Speaking in generalities, I’ve found sub-compacts (like the '82 Ford Escort which was my first car) to have more headroom than most mid-size vehicles (I’m 6’3"). Leg room isn’t generally a problem either, unless someone needs to sit behind you. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/6 "2011-01-21T18:12:08Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How wide are the seats, and how’s the legroom? I had no problem fitting in one, but then I’m only 5’10". ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/7 "2011-01-21T18:15:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How wide are the seats, and how’s the legroom? Just checked on the Smart-no automatic transmission. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/8 "2011-01-21T18:43:46Z")
From another [thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=593703) Bold is mine. > [@Any Hyundai owners here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-hyundai-owners-here/568202/28): > > On my second Elantra, a 2009. > > I tested almost every car in its class when I bought the 2009 and for my needs it won the competition very easily. It is also a substantially better than than my previous Elantra, so they might be better than they used to be. > > On the con side, to get that out of the way, it’s an economy car. The ride’s smooth enough but it’s not a luxury ride by any means. > > On the pro, everythng else. For money-for-features ratio was the best in the class, it has the most interior room **(great for a guy like me - I’m over six feet tall)** and I’ve had few problems with it, and the warranty’s sensational anyway. > > It does, however, depends on what you want and how much money you wanna spend. If you wanted a nicer ride and were willing to spend more money but stay in the compact class, you might prefer a Mazda 3; for me that wasn’t the right choice because it’s pricier and just wasn’t as roomy, aspecially in the back seat (I have a little girl.) > > Test 'em all, I says. But in terms of quality it’s a good car. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-market-for-a-tardis-sort-of/568468/9 "2011-01-21T22:54:39Z")
Some of the common answers; Honda Fit (get the sport model), Toyota Matrix, Ford Fiesta/Focus, VW Jetta (base is under 16k). They are each bigger inside than the ourside appearance (Tardis-like). I’ve driven all in the past 3 months and I fit with no problem at 6’ 2" and 220lb. Each car was very distinct in it’s personality. Personal preference was the FIT with the Focus real close. More spirited handling rather than just mundane slogging around. The base Jetta was biggest with spartan but functional interior; all personality drained from it though. Mazda 3 is also sporty but a little smaller inside as posted above.