Maybe, just maybe...(Toyota edition)

Let me start where this is going. I am relocating to the North Shore across the bridge from New Orleans (new mechanical engineering job as of August 1, go me!) New Orleans is a very tight city. My wife wants to trade and would like something that would be easier to get around the French Quarter in.

I don't like Toyota, frankly I LOATHE them. Not for build appliances or the typical GRM reasons but one much closer to home. I had a 4Runner that due to a very blatant cost down, damn near killed my whole family (rack and pinion split because they passed on the steel retainer ring on the ends.)

We all hear about this (and being an engineer I know what they were doing why and lessons learned) but when it is your wife and kid (singular at the time) the sting and willingness to give them a second opportunity is greatly diminished.

All that being said, I am seriously thinking about an iQ. If it was convertable it would push all the right buttons. 2+2 seating, small, affordable, cheap to maintain.

What say you GRM. Go a different way and hold on the hate in my belly or give the "we forgot when a car should go and when it should stop" crew another shot?

All depends on how tight N.O. is..... and how small do you want to go. Under 30mph in a typical CITY environment... The iQ might be just the ticket... How are its manners, and comfort level after hours on the interstate?

In reply to oldeskewltoy:

Excellent point but we have the X3 for those trips.

I like my X3, 28/21 mpg, comfy and a big sunroof. Wife is still pissed I got the stick.

I was just sitting in one a few hours ago, I think this would be a good city car as it is short and easy to see out out. The back seat is a joke but the even bigger joke was the hatch space I "think" you could get a briefcase and a pack of gum in this area. Not a bad car but it really needs a proper gear box to get my vote.

Paul B

In reply to Donebrokeit:

Slush box preferred by wife.

I know, I know

Your idea about a convertible is interesting, but I imagine with cruch/crash standards being what they are, getting 4 people into that small a space AND having a stowable roof isn't possible....wish it was, tho.

If it were me (back to your original question), I'm not sure I'd be in a big hurry to give more business to Toyota. Their handling of the automatic transmission "problem" rivals the methods used by Mitsubishi years ago when confronted by "quality issues". That is, take down the names and the problem(s) and throw the forms in the nearest locker. When/if we can, we will try to address the customers concerns.

I don't know what other vehicles to advise as alternatives...as you haven't really said how this will be used and how many passengers it will carry on a regular basis, but there have to be a few other vehicles in this "ballpark".

You're going across the bridge often? (My brother's in Metairie). He's got an Escape that works for him.

In reply to integraguy:

I have a feeling it will be at least 3 weekends a month.

I have a wife and 2 kids so 4 people

I was thinking Fiat 500 or Mini 'Vert I am worried about reliability

and I am tall.

If you lived in the city, I'd say get the IQ, as parking is miserable anywhere in New Orleans or the surrounding suburbs on the south side of the lake. But since you have to cross the causeway, I'd say get a Mazda 2. I've driven that and the Fiat and the IQ, and the Mazda felt by far the most stable in a straight line, as well as being the sportiest and having the most room. At least if you are thinking seriously about the IQ, see if you can test drive it across the causeway and back on a windy day. I think a forty-five mile round trip in a straight line across the endless expansion joints, with a crosswind, in the IQ will drive you nuts.

If two seated-ness is acceptable, I would look into a used Insight.

If 4 seat is needed then Mazda2

I dont see the iQ working here. You need an actual back seat. I second the Mazda2 idea, although it will be half the car with an auto (the smaller the engine, the worse the auto kills it).

Or go for small but entertaining and get a Veloster Turbo. You could fit kids back there pretty well and it doesnt all have the life sucked out of by picking auto. And i think it's rated like 31/38 with auto.

If you plan of parking it in new orleans, don't get anything you like. I would never buy a new car for that city. Lets just say they park by feel there and I've had one car backed into by a lifted truck and it killed my radiator with it's hitch and a second dinged up on all sides. It's not a car friendly environment. The good thing is at least they fixed a bunch of the roads with the federal funds they got and tulane ave no longer reminds you of driving in a war zone.

Also, Those lovely flash floods. The city is still not well draining.

You are almost better to park in metairie or lakeside and take a cab into downtown. That is what I would do when I lived there when I could.

Enjoy the time and the city. It's a cool place that I really enjoyed myself and still try and make it back when I can.

A guy at work has an iQ, If your kids have legs they probably won't fit in the back. On paper it seems like something I would own but after seeing one it is like poor attempt at a Smart. They made a lot of compromises to make it that small and you get none of the benefits you should. It feels heavier and less agile than my 13 yr old Cavalier and doesn't get much better mileage.

Mazda2 or Fiesta. Even better... wait a while til the Fiesta comes with the 3-cylinder engine for better fuel economy than the iQ.

bmw88rider:

You know since it is city economy we are talking about a 2.4 auto TJ also might me a good answer.

Not as small as the smart and IQ but not a behemouth either.

The "don't buy anything you like" comment has got me thinking. So anyone have a reasonable used answer?

I had an DA9 integra and a Mazda 3 when I was there the 2 times. I thought the 3 was a great car for there. Small hatch, easy to park, and decent economy. Plus the bumpers were high enough to deflect most damage.

It crossed the bridge just fine and soaked up most of the major potholes.