Which small hatch? Daily Driver edition

The Miata is gone (I'll have another someday, but it'll be used and pre-scratched, the new one drove me mad trying to daily drive it and keep it perfect), so I'm looking for another daily driver.

Requirements:

-New or late-model used - at this point in my professional life, being late because "my car broke down" is about a once a year excuse.

-Small (I liked that about the Miata), preferably a hatchback.

-Automatic trans - I know, I know, but between my wife being able to drive it easier, and traffic, and the pain I was in driving the Miata with cracked ribs earlier this year, I want the easy way out.

-Headrests that aren't jammed way too far forward - so far this has eliminated Fords and Hyundais

-No Mazdas

It would be nice if the car isn't a total snoozemobile, and I'd prefer something with good reliability, my hope is to own this thing long enough to drive it into the ground.

Already test drove a Hyundai Veloster, Honda Fit, Toyota Prius c, Chevy Sonic turbo(this one almost got me to stay with a manual), and a Smart ForTwo (the lease deals are really good right now).

Right now, the Fit and the Prius c are at the top of the heap, I don't drive enough with current gas prices to make the Prius c worth the extra money (heck, I could buy, register, and insure a scooter/motorcycle with the price difference), but who knows where gas prices will go. Liked the handling of the Toyota a bit better, too, but the amount of space in the Fit is amazing. SWMBO has not driven either one, but has sat in them both, and was able to make herself reasonably comfortable, so has approved the purchase of either, though she prefers the Fit. The Smart is a bit of a dark horse. They're offering a 3 year lease with 1K down, $139 a month. It'd be a way of putting off making a real decision for the term of the lease, and saving for a bigger down payment.

Any cars I'm missing? I thought about the Yaris, but it seems once its equipped similar to the Fit, It gets expensive enough I might as well jump up to the Prius.

Why no Mazdas? I would vote Mazda 2 or Fiesta.

EvanB wrote: Why no Mazdas? I would vote Mazda 2 or Fiesta.

I had a bit of a warranty issue with the Miata. It took 3 weeks, and a regional rep to get a torn top approved for warranty, after the dealership and the district rep didn't want to, and it took another week for the appointment...during prime convertible weather. I've had enough hassles in my life lately between family and work, and this may not be a huge deal, but it kind of sent me over the edge. I'll be willing to buy a new Mazda again someday, but not this go around. Before this, a Mazda2 would have been high on my list.

As for the Fiesta, I kinda like it, but the headrest issue kills it. Lori doesn't slouch while she's sitting in a car, so cars where the manufacturer cheaps out and sets the headrests at a way forward angle to meet crash specs, rather than being a bit more subtle, or having active headrests, are a no go.

BTW - Evan, I may be in the market for a cheap NA or NB miata next year, but I don't think it'll see as much dirt as yours does

kia soul is pretty rad. new base model with the di 1.6 and the idle stop go system.

Fiat 500?
Mini?

Had completely forgotten the Kia Soul. Might have to scope that one out tomorrow, if there's a decent Kia dealer nearby.

I need to look into the Fiat, I just went to their website, and tried to build a Pop with an automatic, and it let me. I thought you had to go with the Lounge to get the automatic.

The Mini's a neat idea, and I thought about leasing one (I'm not one to own European cars long term), but the local dealer has loaded up their automatic Coopers into the high 20's. They aren't even S models.

I find the Sonic soul-crushing. My father is getting like 43mpg or so though. He openly admits that, even though the car is cheap and economical, it's not worth it.

I didnt see a price cap, but automatic early C6 Corvettes are in the 20s and won't depreciate fast.

They are also 30 mpg, not a snooze fest, super fast stock, and I can fit the following in mine.

2 dudes, 2 big duffel bags, 2 sleeping bags, 1 easy up, 2 bag chairs, a cooler, and STILL HAVE ROOM to stash the targa in the trunk.

93gsxturbo wrote: I didnt see a price cap, but automatic early C6 Corvettes are in the 20s and won't depreciate fast. They are also 30 mpg, not a snooze fest, super fast stock, and I can fit the following in mine. 2 dudes, 2 big duffel bags, 2 sleeping bags, 1 easy up, 2 bag chairs, a cooler, and STILL HAVE ROOM to stash the targa in the trunk.

Trying to keep it below 20 (though its not a hard limit, the Toyota breaks it). The around town mileage is a bit lower than I'd like. The vette has a bigger footprint than I want, but it sure sounds like fun It'll have to be on my list for a non-daily driver someday.

MG Bryan wrote: I find the Sonic soul-crushing. My father is getting like 43mpg or so though. He openly admits that, even though the car is cheap and economical, it's not worth it.

Okay, that pretty much tells me not too go back and look a an Auto/1.8. I was wondering if it was worth it for the non-turbo model

Nice thing about the Fit, they have been selling well for a few years now (unlike many competitors) so there is a healthy used market.

Downside, they don't depreciate fast, so that 3 year old one won't be hugely cheaper than a new one. And I feel like they ought to get better mileage. The auto is totally decent (for an auto) though.

I would say Fit, but the answer is ALWAYS Chevy Cruze.

eastsidemav wrote:

MG Bryan wrote: I find the Sonic soul-crushing. My father is getting like 43mpg or so though. He openly admits that, even though the car is cheap and economical, it's not worth it.

Okay, that pretty much tells me not too go back and look a an Auto/1.8. I was wondering if it was worth it for the non-turbo model

My old man's is the turbo/manual sedan. The HVAC system was built improperly and didn't function, and it was an ordeal to get the parts to have it fixed. I don't find it comfortable, and, even compared to just the other cars in it's class, it's dynamically appalling.

I'd rather kill myself with a rusty spoon than own one.

Kia Rio.

BMW Z3 Coupe.

Otherwise, I second the Fiat or Mini.

Is one size class up still acceptable for small? My wife and I are liking the look of the new Impreza a lot. Does the new Focus also have the stupid headrests (I haven't gotten to sit in or drive one yet)?

Other than that, yeah, the Smart lease deal sounds pretty tempting.

From your description of your needs, this one is pretty much a no brainer. Honda Fit. It's the ultimate in small hatchbacks. My wife drives an '08, hers is a 5spd. Never asks for anything more than routine maintenance. Fold the back seats down and it literally has more room than a lot of SUVs, gets 38mpg in mixed driving. It's also surprisingly fun to drive.

I'm shopping for a new DD myself right now. While I'm really looking at a Mini Cooper, it's so incredibly tempting to go pick up a 2010 Fit Sport.

The impreza is a bit bigger than I was hoping for. Anyone driven it with the CVT?

Sadly, the focus has the same seat design as the other Fords. I suspect the ST might come with a nice set of Recaros, but its a little pricy, and I doubt it will have an automatic.

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward the Fit. Similar width as the Miata, and only a few inches longer, but it'll carry a ton of stuff. Poopshovel, didn't you get one recently? Oh yeah, the payoff on gas cost for the Prius vs Fit is 10 years at current prices, or about 6.6 years if my wife took over driving the new car. At that point, her car will probably be due for replacement, not to mention hybrid/ electric tech should be even more improved then.

If I could guarantee I'd be working in the same place for the next three years, the Smart deal would be a no brainer.

Fiat 500 is the only answer here.

I don't think that used Acura TSX Sport Wagons are in that price range yet. Darn.

How about a CPO'ed Volvo C30?
Most of these I see are automatic.
Sample: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2013&modelCode1=C30&startYear=1981&makeCode1=VOLVO&firstRecord=26&searchRadius=200&listingId=319689699&Log=0

poopshovel wrote: I would say Fit, but the answer is ALWAYS Chevy Cruze.

No it's not, it's Elantra, with the magical 6 speed.

Zomby Woof wrote:

poopshovel wrote: I would say Fit, but the answer is ALWAYS Chevy Cruze.

No it's not, it's Elantra, with the magical 6 speed.

There are several Elantra Tourings at the Hyundai lot. The only thing the Chevy Cruze is the answer to, is "what car does Chevy make that has ugly black plastic triangles where glass should be?". I did look at the Verano, though. Nice looking car, but don't really want a sedan.

I don't understand how any of the cars mentioned aren't a total snoozefest?

In reply to z31maniac:

Compare to Camry/corolla/accord/taurus/impala...

I was gonna say Mazda2, but since you don't like Mazda's customer service, how about a Ford Fiesta?