Moving from Hatchback to Saloon

[lisa]

I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc but
I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4 to get
the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors. As I have never driven
a saloon before I'm slightly worried if it will be too big for me, with a
big old boot hanging out the back. Am I worrying over nothing? Is driving a
saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little less room to
maneovure when parking?

[Les Hemmings]

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc but
I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4 to
get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors. As I have never
driven a saloon before I'm slightly worried if it will be too big for me,
with a big old boot hanging out the back. Am I worrying over nothing? Is
driving a saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little
less room to maneovure when parking?

Changed from Citroen BX Gti to a Volvo 240 estate... no probs. In my job I
can drive anything from a Berlingo ( Jeez they're crap!) to a 7.5 tonner
with the Volvo 240 , Sprinter and a smattering of Transits in between.
Go for it.. don't worry... normal care and attention will get you
by... Both the Sprinter and Transits will squeeze through 6'6" without any
bother.. you'll have no trouble :o)

Les

[Mike Cawood, HND BIT]

Post by Les Hemmings

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc but
I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4 to
get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors. As I have never
driven a saloon before I'm slightly worried if it will be too big for me,
with a big old boot hanging out the back. Am I worrying over nothing? Is
driving a saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little
less room to maneovure when parking?

Changed from Citroen BX Gti to a Volvo 240 estate... no probs. In my job I
can drive anything from a Berlingo ( Jeez they're crap!) to a 7.5 tonner
with the Volvo 240 , Sprinter and a smattering of Transits in between.
Go for it.. don't worry... normal care and attention will get you
by... Both the Sprinter and Transits will squeeze through 6'6" without any
bother.. you'll have no trouble :o)
Les

With a Volvo 240, it's strong enough to take ramming the back of the car
into brick walls due to underestimating the overhang :-o)
Regards Mike.

[fishman]

After a while of driving hatchbacks you'll feel like there's very
little visibility when you switch to a saloon, it almost feels like
driving a tunnel!

However, you'll soon get used to it and you'll be able to get on with
enjoying the benefits of the saloon shape.

A good compromise might be an estate though, as I don't actually find
the saloon shape that practical really.

[Gordon Hudson]

Post by fishman
After a while of driving hatchbacks you'll feel like there's very
the saloon shape that practical really.

Depends where you live.
I switched to a saloon to stop all the warm air leaving the car when the
boot got opened in the winter.
if you live dahn sarf this is probably not a major consideration.

[John Smith]

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc but
I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4 to
get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors. As I have never
driven a saloon before I'm slightly worried if it will be too big for me,
with a big old boot hanging out the back. Am I worrying over nothing? Is
driving a saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little
less room to maneovure when parking?

You will miss the saloon when you need to go to B&Q! In the uS sales of
hatches are soaring.

[Steve Knight]

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc but
I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4 to
get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors.

Well, you could get a large hatchback...

Otherwise, most saloons come with the option of parking sensors on the
bumpers and these will make parking much easier.

[Dr Zoidberg]

Post by Steve Knight

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc
etc but I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as
an Audi A4 to get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more
doors.

Well, you could get a large hatchback...

Such as an octavia , but while that makes accessing the boot much easier it
doesn't help with the rear visbility at all.

Post by Steve Knight
Otherwise, most saloons come with the option of parking sensors on the
bumpers and these will make parking much easier.

Agreed

[lisa]

Post by Steve Knight

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc
but I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4
to get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors.

Well, you could get a large hatchback...
Otherwise, most saloons come with the option of parking sensors on the
bumpers and these will make parking much easier.

My current hatchback is actually one of the larger ones around and rear
visibility is very poor due to the small rear window and high back. It has
rear parking sensors and they are a godsend!!! would love to have front ones
too actually :) Everytime I look for a new car they are one of the first
things I look for. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing.

[Adrian]

Post by lisa
My current hatchback is actually one of the larger ones around and
rear visibility is very poor due to the small rear window and high
back.

That seems to be a price to pay with the current generation of cars - the
pillars are made so much thicker for improved crash-protection that they
really do impinge on visibility.

[Doki]

Post by lisa
I have only ever driven small hatchbacks, Mini's, Audi A3, 206 etc etc but
I'm currently considering getting a 4 door saloon, such as an Audi A4 to
get the extra boot space, rear leg room and 2 more doors. As I have never
driven a saloon before I'm slightly worried if it will be too big for me,
with a big old boot hanging out the back. Am I worrying over nothing? Is
driving a saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little
less room to maneovure when parking?

I've had a Ka, a Volvo 340, a Mondeo, a couple of Golfs and driven a Jag XJ.
Can't say you really have to think about adjusting to the size of the car.
You just do it.

[Ben Blaney]

Post by lisa
Am I worrying over nothing?

Don't bother your pretty little head, darling. What's for tea?

[Peter Hill]

Post by lisa
Is driving a
saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little less room to
maneovure when parking?

Just a little less room for living. I prefer a large hatchback
(Celica / 200SX type which can take bicycle whole but 5 door like
Rover SD1 would do). When I switched to a saloon lots of things I had
done without a second thought became impossible and I had to wait
around for vans, pay for delivery or start factoring in saving for
free delivery when shopping for stuff.

[Gordon Hudson]

Post by Peter Hill

Post by lisa
Is driving a
saloon not that much different from a hatchback? just a little less room to
maneovure when parking?

Just a little less room for living. I prefer a large hatchback
(Celica / 200SX type which can take bicycle whole but 5 door like
Rover SD1 would do). When I switched to a saloon lots of things I had
done without a second thought became impossible and I had to wait
around for vans, pay for delivery or start factoring in saving for
free delivery when shopping for stuff.

I agree.
Even a trip to the local tip for the annual garage clear out becomes like
one of the puzzles from the krypton factor.
Its a question of weighing up needs, and for me keeping the heat in narrowly
outweighed the load carrying issue.