Which small hatch? Daily Driver edition

eastsidemav wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Compare to Camry/corolla/accord/taurus/impala...

Ok.... You can buy 4 of those cars in 13 and 14 second variants with an automatic transmission IIRC, An auto Fit would be lucky to get into the 17s.

ProDarwin wrote:

eastsidemav wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Compare to Camry/corolla/accord/taurus/impala...

Ok.... You can buy 4 of those cars in 13 and 14 second variants with an automatic transmission IIRC, An auto Fit would be lucky to get into the 17s.

So? I bet the Fit is more fun. I mean a Spitfire or Miata or etc are all slower then a Camry, Accord whatever but which one is going to be more fun?

VW Golf Diesel? Throw on a chip, exhaust, coilovers, and you've got yourself a pretty fun, and efficient little scoot.

PHeller wrote: VW Golf Diesel? Throw on a chip, exhaust, coilovers, and you've got yourself a pretty fun, and efficient little scoot.

With reliability like only VAG or BL can provide.

eastsidemav wrote: 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.

We have a family of 6, and my wife goes to Costco frequently. Our Fit holds everything she gets, with an E36 M3 load of space still to spare. You'd be amazed how much it can carry. And yeah, it's a lot of fun to throw around corners.

And if you're considering Mini, you can find an '09-'10 with low miles for about $16-$18k all day long. Trust me, I'm combing the market heavily for one.

93EXCivic wrote:

ProDarwin wrote:

eastsidemav wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Compare to Camry/corolla/accord/taurus/impala...

Ok.... You can buy 4 of those cars in 13 and 14 second variants with an automatic transmission IIRC, An auto Fit would be lucky to get into the 17s.

So? I bet the Fit is more fun. I mean a Spitfire or Miata or etc are all slower then a Camry, Accord whatever but which one is going to be more fun?

I'm with ProDarwin, it's not like a lightweight, nimble handling car really shows itself with a highway commute. And I'd rather have the power for dealing with traffic in a nicer interior package.

Especially since the wife will be driving it.

93EXCivic wrote: With reliability like only VAG or BL can provide.

The engines are stout, I'll give them that, but I'd never own another VW newer than 93.

Though I've heard the quality and reliability of MK6 has been drastically improved.

PHeller wrote: VW Golf Diesel?

I was thinking the same. New Golf TDI's are nicely appointed, and the DSG box is nice compared to a traditional slushbox.

z31maniac wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

ProDarwin wrote:

eastsidemav wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Compare to Camry/corolla/accord/taurus/impala...

Ok.... You can buy 4 of those cars in 13 and 14 second variants with an automatic transmission IIRC, An auto Fit would be lucky to get into the 17s.

So? I bet the Fit is more fun. I mean a Spitfire or Miata or etc are all slower then a Camry, Accord whatever but which one is going to be more fun?

I'm with ProDarwin, it's not like a lightweight, nimble handling car really shows itself with a highway commute. And I'd rather have the power for dealing with traffic in a nicer interior package.

Since when do you need a 14 second car to deal with traffic?

93EXCivic wrote:

ProDarwin wrote:

eastsidemav wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Compare to Camry/corolla/accord/taurus/impala...

Ok.... You can buy 4 of those cars in 13 and 14 second variants with an automatic transmission IIRC, An auto Fit would be lucky to get into the 17s.

So? I bet the Fit is more fun. I mean a Spitfire or Miata or etc are all slower then a Camry, Accord whatever but which one is going to be more fun?

Ok, I never said a Camry is the pinnacle of automotive achievement. It was merely poking fun at the thought that a 17 second automatic FWD high-cg E36 M3box with mc-struts and tiny tires isn't a "total snoozefest" At least the Camry has something going for it.

You don't need a 14 second car to deal with traffic. Nor do you need a non-snoozefest car. My automatic appliance DD that is slow as berkeley handles traffic just fine.

I'll be the primary driver on it, and my commute is two lane back roads, my wife (who is currently looking for a new job), will probably only drive it occasionally, but between that, and riding in it, it needs to be comforable for her. No need for tons of power, but I definitely want something nimble.

Although, if the past is any indicator, if she likes it more than her Mazda6, I'll end up losing primary driver status eventually

Accent SE. Trust me, it's worth the look. The 6spd auto cruises the highway nicely, unlike the Fit. Is quiet, has a decent suspension, 4whl discs and all the do-dads a daily should have.

Wow, I was going to take a look at Impreza hatches, but there appears to be one in the Cincy area, and it's loaded way beyond what I want.

I'm uncertain on the 500, a little afraid I'll regret it not being an Abarth the entire time I drive it....

Bobzilla wrote: Accent SE. Trust me, it's worth the look. The 6spd auto cruises the highway nicely, unlike the Fit. Is quiet, has a decent suspension, 4whl discs and all the do-dads a daily should have.

The seats kill it, which is a bummer, it does seem Ike a nice car. I didn't drive one, but the same engine in the Veloster sure was nice and smooth. I'd highly recommend them to someone who can get comfortable in them. Amazing how far Hyundai has come.

Not to be an enabler or anything....but if you like the Mini.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=45202&endYear=2013&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=2009&makeCode1=MINI&transmissionCode=AUT&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=18000&listingId=321561291&Log=0

I could pull 100 examples of a Fit Sport too.

The Miata is gone? Aww, man! I would've traded you for the CRX. ;-)

dculberson wrote: The Miata is gone? Aww, man! I would've traded you for the CRX. ;-)

Hmm, not quite sure that would've been a good deal for me. If I didn't have a nearly full driveway, I'd come look at the CRX, but the new Neon is probably going to make an easier to deal with rallycrosser. Its getting harder to find 1st gen CRX parts.

I think I'm just stretching this out way too far. Gonna head down to the honda dealer, and see if they can get me the color I want at a price I'd accept. If not, move on to either the Prius C or go test drive the Smart again. Thanks for y'alls thoughts, after seeing other options I hadn't considered, I think my top two (+1 oddball), are still at the top for me.

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.

Meh. Maybe if it had more fake chrome/gold trim.

poopshovel wrote:

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.

Meh. Maybe if it had more fake chrome/gold trim.

Okay, somebody please post the link to the thread this bit is coming from. I haven't seen it, and it sounds hilarious