IIRC they were hateful underpowered things, but the idea of a passenger Minivan that's not a minivan appeals to me. I don't want to buy some clapped-out 30 year old POS, either. What's the closest most current option? Ford Transit? That Chrysler/Fiat thing?
Mazda5!
AMiataCalledSteve said:Mazda5!
Seconded. Although if you are inclined to carry more cargo, the Transit Connect is probably a better option. I love my 5, but I don't love that the seats can't be easily removed to get more space.
Third for the Mazda5. Wife calls ours the microvan. Amazing how much it'll fit and the sliding doors are way more convenient than I imagined. And, if you look hard enough, you can find them with a manual transmission.
-Rob
Regarding the Mazda5, I suspect it is quite a bit bigger than a Colt Vista. IIRC, it's dimensions are closer to a 1st gen SWB Dodge Caravan. A Honda Fit may be closer to a Vista, but doesn't have sliding doors.
Yeah Mazda 5 or Ford Transit Connect is what comes to mind. But I believe they are both larger than the Colt Vista. Both will drive better though. Prius V is another option.
Too bad the 5 can't swallow a Mazdaspeed 3 engine the way Colts could eat a boosted to the moon 4G63.
Mazdaspeed 5 does offer a little complication.
Oh man- we had one when I was 15/16. It was way ahead of its time and waayyyyyyy underpowered. 3rd gear on small interstate hills was not uncommon.
Honda Fit?
1st gen Mazda MPV?
It's been a hot minute since I was in a Vista, but as I recall they are WAY smaller than a Mazda5.... like two vehicle size classes. Even smaller than a Mazda3. Am I not remembering that right?
I came here to suggest a toaster. xB, Soul, etc. Ex wife had a boxy xB that refused to die and had TARDIS levels of interior space. If you don't get that reference, watch Dr Who more.
Suzuki SX4 hatch maybe? Still a bit underpowered in my estimation (although not awfully so) and the mpg's should be better, but mine at least seems really well built (so also not really like a Mitsubishi...).
Did some quick checking on Wikipedia, and it turns out the Colt Vista was narrower than the 5 (and the Fit), but about the same length. Going to the 2nd gen (which I could have sworn was sold as a Colt Vista in the US, but apparently only as the Mitsubishi Expo and the Eagle Summit Wagon), and it is about the same size of a Mazda5 overall. The Fit is considerably shorter than both generations.
I would assume the Colt Vista may have a similar amount of interior space, even being narrower, just because of less safety structure.
I have a very vague feeling I tried sitting in a Mazda 5 back in 2012 and there was nowhere near enough headroom for me (6'-3"). Too bad, as there are some nice ones for sale nearby...
stroker said:I have a very vague feeling I tried sitting in a Mazda 5 back in 2012 and there was nowhere near enough headroom for me (6'-3"). Too bad, as there are some nice ones for sale nearby...
I wonder if you sat in a Grand Touring model with a sunroof. I'm 6'0", and I think I have quite a bit of headroom. I can't remember if the seat goes up or down, either. I pretty much set my seating position when I bought mine, and haven't had to adjust it. I think a Transit Connect will have more headroom.
A lowered CR-v
Exhibit A
In reply to Noddaz :
That looks way better than it should.
I'm 6'3" with a long torso and I fit just fine. But the one I drove may not have had sunroof.
The Scion xA and Soul can fit a lot of stuff, but don't seat as many as the 5. Same for the CRV. I can't think of anything other than the 5 and maybe the LWB Transit Connect that can fit 6. That's what made the Colt Vista interesting, those backwards rear seats allowed you to fit 6, maybe even 7.
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