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      09-20-2019, 06:19 AM   #1
baege
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Does size really matter?

No this should not be in the off topic forum

So I have pretty much always had compact cars. The biggest car I've ever had was a 2015 Corvette and its size was something I didn't like about it. But I only had it 3 weeks (such was my dislike of it)

As of late I have been considering larger cars again, as I am longing to get back to a V8 and a manual. I am currently cross shopping the M2C vs the bullit or gt350.

So I am interested in hearing from those of you who have traditionally had smaller compact cars and then tried something significantly bigger. Was the larger size something that you got used to such that it became a non-issue, or did you still wish for the smaller compact dimensions you left behind?

Last edited by baege; 09-20-2019 at 07:38 AM..
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      09-20-2019, 08:21 AM   #2
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I've gone from full-size VR & VZ Holden Commodore station wagons to a gen4 Subaru Liberty (Legacy) station wagon to my current E82. Just last week I drove my mate's 545i for a day and it felt ENORMOUS. All of the above cars were great to drive. If it feels good, go with it.
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      09-20-2019, 08:29 AM   #3
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I daily my Charger Hellcat aka land yacht. Pain on some smaller back roads around here, but no big deal outside of that.
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      09-20-2019, 08:31 AM   #4
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You do get used to it. I've typically gone for smaller enthusiast cars, Miatas, E30s, BRZ, etc.

But I pretty quickly got used to my '13 Mustang GT. I wish I could find the picture I had of my '90 Miata in the garage next to my '13 Mustang GT. It was ridiculous how much larger the Mustang was.
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      09-20-2019, 08:31 AM   #5
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That must be one hell of a commute!
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      09-20-2019, 09:02 AM   #6
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I am seriously tossing up used 911 vs new or damn near new 'Stang GT and the size and weight of the GT is the one sticking point. Weight more than size TBH.

OH and OP, last i checked the M2 has two blowers on the side of the engine.
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      09-20-2019, 09:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfisti View Post
I am seriously tossing up used 911 vs new or damn near new 'Stang GT and the size and weight of the GT is the one sticking point. Weight more than size TBH.

OH and OP, last i checked the M2 has two blowers on the side of the engine.
ha ha yeah I know about the m2 blowers...avoiding those is what .makes me even consider a big car like the stang
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      09-20-2019, 11:32 AM   #8
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Absolutely. I'm 6'2" and I prefer cars that make me look like Magilla Gorilla. Anything over about 170" just feels nautical to me. Our 135i was definitely pushing it and the F30 was way too large for my tastes.

I've driven CTS-V wagons, GT350s and ATS-Vs and the size of each has been a large factor as to why I don't own any of those.

But man, the Voodoo, even if it eats oil just sounds amazing. I'd love to do an ND Miata with the Voodoo in it.
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      09-20-2019, 11:56 AM   #9
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I like smaller cars since I enjoy driving, in the sense that I love carving corners and testing the handling.

With that being said, these cars aren't very comfortable for drives over 45 mins. Anytime I have a rental Camry or Optima, for example, I'm just so relaxed and refreshed on longer drives.
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      09-20-2019, 12:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanauto View Post
I like smaller cars since I enjoy driving, in the sense that I love carving corners and testing the handling.

With that being said, these cars aren't very comfortable for drives over 45 mins. Anytime I have a rental Camry or Optima, for example, I'm just so relaxed and refreshed on longer drives.
Stop making long drives. Problem solved.
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      09-20-2019, 01:43 PM   #11
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Parallel parking and turning radius is usually not fun in a large car. i also like the feeling of being coddled by the car as opposed to being lost in the tub.

Love the M2. However lately I am fascinated by the V8 rumble. Maybe it's my inner rebel sticking the proverbial middle finger to all these eco-cars.
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      09-20-2019, 02:19 PM   #12
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the larger size and reduced visibility of the M4 vs. e46 M3 is a minus to me, not a plus, even after 2 years of driving M4
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      09-20-2019, 02:21 PM   #13
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yes.. went from a e92 m3 to a new 540 and its quite the boat. Prior cars have all been compacts. (GTI, corolla, etc.) I thought the m3 would be the biggest car I get outside a truck or SUV. I still have the m3 so every time I switch im reminded of the size.

The tech in the 5 (360 camera and sensors) help quite a bit managing it but Im thinking of getting out of this and moving to something smaller since I really dont need the space. I was just looking for something comfortable and exact opposite of my harsh m3 but i think this is a bit too much.

Dont get me wrong tho its still a great cruiser and I do appreciate it when Im picking up people in it but im thinking its just not for me.

Last edited by wuzupfoo; 09-20-2019 at 02:27 PM..
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      09-20-2019, 04:02 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
Stop making long drives. Problem solved.
Loll. I live in the most car dependent place in the nation. If you want to have a life on off days you have to drive and sit in mind-numbing traffic.
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      09-20-2019, 04:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wuzupfoo View Post
yes.. went from a e92 m3 to a new 540 and its quite the boat. Prior cars have all been compacts. (GTI, corolla, etc.) I thought the m3 would be the biggest car I get outside a truck or SUV. I still have the m3 so every time I switch im reminded of the size.

The tech in the 5 (360 camera and sensors) help quite a bit managing it but Im thinking of getting out of this and moving to something smaller since I really dont need the space. I was just looking for something comfortable and exact opposite of my harsh m3 but i think this is a bit too much.

Dont get me wrong tho its still a great cruiser and I do appreciate it when Im picking up people in it but im thinking its just not for me.
The only common trait the 5-series since 2010 shares with your E92 is the badge on the hood.
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      09-20-2019, 04:44 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Germanauto View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
Stop making long drives. Problem solved.
Loll. I live in the most car dependent place in the nation. If you want to have a life on off days you have to drive and sit in mind-numbing traffic.
LA? Great roads all around there. I used to live in Laguna Beach and even long drives up to the canyons or out to Elsinore were a blast in an impractical car.

I do admit that there are moments driving the spousal SUV that the comfort and room are nice, but it's also nice to get back into a tighter, more focused car after a few minutes in the Adult Transit.
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      09-20-2019, 05:54 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
LA? Great roads all around there. I used to live in Laguna Beach and even long drives up to the canyons or out to Elsinore were a blast in an impractical car.

I do admit that there are moments driving the spousal SUV that the comfort and room are nice, but it's also nice to get back into a tighter, more focused car after a few minutes in the Adult Transit.
100%. While a larger more comfortable car is nice to make those trips to and from LA, I wouldn't get rid of something small and fun. Mid-sizers like the 5-series are boats.

I've made that run on Ortega highway before. It was a lot of fun.
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      09-20-2019, 06:11 PM   #18
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I prefer smaller but it gets hard to get the packages/options/features I want in a smaller car.
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      09-20-2019, 06:14 PM   #19
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I stopped daily driving my Audi TT when I bought the Ram 2500 diesel. I wanted to get vanity "BEHEMOTH" license plates right after I picked it up, because it felt like a beast to drive. It was disconcerting to drive it through the narrow urban streets near my job at first, but after 10 years I can drive it around towing the 24 foot long by 8.5 foot wide enclosed race car hauler and not think twice about it.

The BMW i3 has been my daily driver since the spring, and it made me realize how much of a hassle driving/parking the truck is. If I have to take a road trip though, the truck is my first choice for the elbow room and comfort.....
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      09-20-2019, 06:17 PM   #20
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In general and in my opinion, for driving enjoyment, the lighter/smaller the better.

For current BMWs(excluding SUVs) something like this: Z>2>4>3>8>5>7
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      09-20-2019, 06:30 PM   #21
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Well a lot of women tell me that... wait wrong topic.

As for car yeah I think smaller gives you that more nimble feeling. Generally speaking, smaller cars feel more tossable. I chose the M2C over the M3 and even GT350 primarily because of the size. There are days I would like more utility, but often I prefer the handling and sportier feel.
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      09-21-2019, 10:00 PM   #22
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I loved my C7 Corvette up to the point where I wrecked it. The only downside to that car was very low ground clearance. I love my crew cab Z71 pickup truck that I used to haul my 30' camping trailer. I got an F36 now and I love it's wide stance and length for a coupe even the one with four doors. There's nothing wrong with having a bigger car as long as you have room to drive it. They can be just as fun.
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