Updated: Top ten small cars you can live with
I've always advised people to consider buying smaller cars. The reply I often get is "I know a smaller car would save me money, but I need a bigger car because ______." The blank space is usually filled with "I need to haul lots of people," "I need to haul lots of stuff," "small cars are slow," "small cars are ugly," etc. Hence this list, which I have just updated to reflect many of the new small cars that have hit the market in 2007.
I'm also trying something new -- along with the usual text version of the list, I've also put it up as a photo gallery, and would really like your feedback as to which version you prefer and why -- click the "comments" link below or drop me an email at cars.guide@about.com. Thanks! -- Aaron Gold
Photo of the Audi A3 © Aaron Gold
Good call in that picture, A3 or the up coming A1… to that add the Mini,Civic si,Volvo c30, that Mitsu evo and the juiced up VW gti Golf…all fun to drive, easy to live with and not socially irresponsible.
Much prefer the picture version! However – how can you include the Caliber in any list of 10 best? When we test drove that car, my wife and I both left the dealership so turned off we never test drove any other Dodge products. And I went into the test drive thinking that I would probably make an offer on the spot! So 50+ test drives later, we bought a Mazda 5.
I like the photo gallery better Aaron. Tough to comment on your list though since I really don’t understand the criteria “cars you can live with”?
I like hawaiian don’s list better but then again I don’t get the intent of the list. I wonder if my car is socially irresponsible? hmmm.
Guy, I’m just commenting that some of us have some guilt feelings about driving cars that guzzle limited resource fuels, or add to global warming, or just vehicles take up so much darn space in this ever shrinking world. I’m speaking for my own feelings, not indicting anyone’s sensibilities.
Don, thanks for the clarification. I wasn’t sure what you meant by it so I was hoping that line would inspire you to explain.
omg cars are cool not as cool as the lambergini. i love cars
omg cars are cool not as cool as the lambergini. i love cars more than u!!!!!! oh ihate people who hate me deal with it ok
Aaron, really like the photos. I have to agree on the cars you chose and the descriptions. I personally like the sedan shaped cars as opposed to the hatchback looking cars. I have also had very bad luck with Nissan (but they are not all bad) I have had great luck with Suzuki. I drove the Suzuki Aerio and loved it. (Which you didnt rate at all). We ended up buying another car you didnt rate. But we found one used at a great price and liked it very much. We bought the Chevy Aveo.(sedan style) The car rides smooth, has enough power for an old fart like me, and has a surprisingly big interior. But in my opinion 30MPG is not great for such a small car. (but consider the 3:94 gear ratio–30 isnt too bad really)
I drive a big, bold Ford Mustang. It guzzles gas and is bad for the environment, but at least it is big and SAFE. I like driving in it. I look hot in it and boys like the car. My ex-boyfriend Bobby tried to drive it but I wouldn’t let him because he smokes too much pot! But seriously, those small cars were ok for small cars but I still wouldn’t date a guy who drove one.
The top-ten small cars I can live with:
Aaron, You have a good list from a parctical perspective, but some of us don’t want to haul anything but arse. So, I came up with a list of the top-ten exhillarating & nimble (& barely practical) small cars that will make you vertically smile when you go for a drive. These cars are nimble machines, intended to make the driving experience so enjoyable that you drive past the office (while you call in sick from your cell) because you just don’t want to stop. Cheers & Happy Motoring!
1.Porsche 550 Spyder (replica) (current toy)
2.Lotus Elise
3.Toyota MR2 Turbo (93-95)
4.Porsche Boxster/Cayman
5.BMW M coupe/roadster
6.Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice
7.Mini Cooper S
8.Acura RSX-S/Honda Civic Si
9.VW GTi/R32
10.Audi A3
BONUS:
11.Pontiac Fiero GT (best thrill for $1000!)
Good choises from both Arron & AndyS. However, as I age, I look more for a vehile that is easy to enter & exit and offers a comfortable ride. Therefore, I would look more for a Honda CRV, Rav4 or the Vibe/Matrix. I hear that Honda will be raising the seat height in the redesigned Accord due next year. Has boomers age, this is becoming an issue.
Angela, maybe if you got away from Mustangs and cars that make you appealing to pot-head losers like your ex, and drove cars that were more realistic and sensible you’d find more realistic, sensible guys who would respect your automotive choices…but then there are those ladies that can’t resist those “bad boys”…and then complain…what to do!!!
If someone could just build a small car for those of us who have expanded as the years have gone by. Love my SC2 3 door but too low and narrow for shoulder room. Had to move into an L series. Cant fit in the Fiero much anymore. Everything newer is tall and narrow of track. Fine small cars perhaps but for us who are larger and older…..not much out there.
Photo gallery was neat but it just reminded how ugly many of the new cars are. I always was and still am a print man. Less clicking through screens, just scroll down to next comment.
Well David point taken. Photos take a while. As you have also pointed out, those of us who GREW over the years really have nobody to impress, so who cares if the car is UGLY!!! It must be comfortable now. I find my (in your words — UGLY) Aveo to be very easy to enter and exit. Sits up high, doors open wide and my size 46 belly doesnt rub the steering wheel — as it does in my S-10 pickup. So YES in deed Mr. David, there are most definetaly some cars to fit those larger in life folks like me and I GUESS you too. But you did bring up good points. Thank You
Oh yes and Angela, I agree with Hawaiian Don. The subject is SMALL cars we can live with, Not “BIG FAST RIDICULIOUS CARS THAT WILL KILL US” Dont take me wrong I Love those sports cars too. My son has a Trans Am. I LOVE IT MUCH. But the sports car was not a topic in this discussion. You claim to be HOT LOOKING in that Mustang, then stick to the HOT ROD MAG stories and photos, and stay away from the big OLD fat men and slow car forum! You wouldnt want a big old fat man to train a tri-athelete, he knows nothing about it. We dont expect a supermodel teenager to be a designer of home-style mobility chairs for the elderly, for the same reason. However you are right, the Mustang is extremely fun to drive, ASSUMING one can fit inside the Mustang.
I’d vote for the Mini Cooper S. Have owned one for 3 years and love it. As for hauling, it sits outside right now with my road bike within (front wheel taken off). Every Christmas, the 7-foot tree fits nicely inside.
safe wat a booner