VW Up - why does anyone buy them?

I don't get why people don't just get a Polo. Why would you want something even smaller? Can't they park?
 
The fact is that a lot of people can't actually park very well and feel uncomfortable attempting to move a big car around traffic and car parks. You and I may not be able to relate to that, but the fact remains that plenty of people feel that way. Not everyone has excellent spacial awareness and coordination, the up etc appeals to this market despite pmkeates's assumption that everyone else is as staggeringly good at driving as he is.
 
OP, is this the first city car you've driven? I think you'll find it's one of the most "luxurious" (and I use that term very lightly) example of city car you can buy. Probably only beaten by the IQ.
 
Participant said:
The fact is that a lot of people can't actually park very well and feel uncomfortable attempting to move a big car around traffic and car parks. You and I may not be able to relate to that, but the fact remains that plenty of people feel that way. Not everyone has excellent spacial awareness and coordination, the up etc appeals to this market despite pmkeates's assumption that everyone else is as staggeringly good at driving as he is.
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I think these people would be better off getting a car with all-round parking sensors and learning. I'm not sure those with 'below average' spatial awareness are unable to park something that is 4.5m long, but can park something 3.5m long. The reality is that people get very used to what they have, and anything else seems impossible. People with generally low confidence are good examples of this.

I recall my mum always driving Fiestas etc, and my dad convinced her to get an Escort despite her claiming it would be impossible to park. It's now fine, and she drives a Focus. She said my E46 and E39s would be too big, but after a while driving the 5 Series she felt absolutely fine in it. It had all-round parking sensors so was actually very easy to park - you didn't even have to look out of the windows.
 
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PMKeates said:
I'm not sure I 'get' any small cars. I also don't believe in the idea of a 'city car', as I find the city is exactly where I want a big car to insulate against the noise and poor road quality. I've also never had a parking or maneuvering issue, despite a lot of driving/parking/living in and around London. I'm very much in the 'older but bigger' camp for people who need low cost of ownership motoring.

That said, the Up! seemed reasonable well built and is decent enough, but is what it is. I'd prefer an older Polo, Golf, Passat etc. You'd be looking at a similar 3 year TCO for a c. 1 year old Polo 1.4 than a brand new Lupo 1.2.
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Agreed - I drive a large saloon around london and it feels perfectly suited to the job: parking really isn't difficult, especially with parking sensors.
 
We are all young men talking about how easy it is to move big saloons around London. What we're talking about here is people that are not secure or comfortable when they are driving in traffic and car parks. Even if they're physically capable of parking a 5 series, they might not be convinced that they'll ever be comfortable doing so. Not everyone has a son or husband that cares enough to persuade mum to try and get used to a saloon instead, and even the ones that do might not be persuaded in any case. Not forgetting the fact that lots of mums have husbands and sons that love and drive small city cars themselves.

Some people aren't and will never be comfortable driving big cars in the city, even if it does seem illogical to us.

That's why I disagree with:

PMKeates said:
I also don't believe in the idea of a 'city car'
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You can get a brand new one of these on finance for around the £100 mark (less for the Seat or Skoda), many people like new and cheap.

While these are basic, they are more comfortable than the bus.
 
IQ is a bit of a laugh, has a super fast rack and so much lock it almost feels like it can turn on the spot. Never driven anything quite like it.
 
I despise small cars, however when I was in a Proton Compact through London it seemed a lot 'easier' of a journey than in a big saloon. I can understand why city cars are popular - if I needed a tiny shuttle to ferry me about in 5mph traffic something like an Up or Polo wouldn't be too bad.
 
Participant said:
We are all young men talking about how easy it is to move big saloons around London. What we're talking about here is people that are not secure or comfortable when they are driving in traffic and car parks. Even if they're physically capable of parking a 5 series, they might not be convinced that they'll ever be comfortable doing so. Not everyone has a son or husband that cares enough to persuade mum to try and get used to a saloon instead, and even the ones that do might not be persuaded in any case. Not forgetting the fact that lots of mums have husbands and sons that love and drive small city cars themselves.

Some people aren't and will never be comfortable driving big cars in the city, even if it does seem illogical to us.

That's why I disagree with:
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My argument is that those people would be better off becoming secure and comfortable. Life is about pushing yourself beyond what is in your comfort zone, and it applies to driving larger cars as much as going for that more senior job, taking on that new project etc. I wasn't immediately comfortable driving a larger car around and made all sorts of mistakes, but you get used to it in a very short space of time. I can only assume that husbands and sons that drive small city cars are closet homosexuals.
mattyprice4004 said:
I despise small cars, however when I was in a Proton Compact through London it seemed a lot 'easier' of a journey than in a big saloon. I can understand why city cars are popular - if I needed a tiny shuttle to ferry me about in 5mph traffic something like an Up or Polo wouldn't be too bad.
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Driving a big car in traffic really couldn't be any less stressful. It really is zero effort. I don't understand how it could be any easier :p

In fact, people tend to give you a teeny bit more respect and space if you've a physically larger and usually more powerful car.
 
wingman said:
OP, is this the first city car you've driven? I think you'll find it's one of the most "luxurious" (and I use that term very lightly) example of city car you can buy. Probably only beaten by the IQ.
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Yes it is. I guess I won't like the other city cars then :)
 
Clarkey said:
IQ is a bit of a laugh, has a super fast rack and so much lock it almost feels like it can turn on the spot. Never driven anything quite like it.
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I really like how silly they seem, and I like how you aren't allowed to take your test in one :p
 
Whenever I've taken my Golf in for warranty repairs they've either given me a Polo or an Up!. Polo was base spec but that didn't matter. The one that did get me was the steering. Was so light it made me wonder if it was even turning the wheels.

My opinion on the Up! is similar to yours. Base spec is very, well, basic. It really is just for city driving at no more than 40mph. Above that the noise becomes unbearable.
 
I can only assume you're a youngster!

Those of us over 35 mostly had to endure such 45bhp 4 speed delights like the Austin Metro, Vauxhall Nova, Fiesta 950. The Up! is like an S-class Merc in comparison!
 
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