I am about to test drive the xA, the honda fit, maybe a Suzuki sx4. Anbody have any words of wisdom on the best little cars out there? I want four doors, auto transmission. I want it to be little, and have a decent CD/radio player in it. I was thinking new, but if someone thinks an older year (no more than two or three years) is superior, I am all ears. I am not married to any particular model, but want this kind of size. Price in the 15k range is fine. Don't want a hybrid. Any horror stories, or love stories, whether first hand or decent second hand, would be appreciated.
Not sure I can get that in the USA. But thanks. Always good to know that the brits are as ********ed up about france as we yanks are.
I know this is an old thread, but i've been looking at small cars too. My advice: buy a manual tranny. Every small car I've looked at was sluggish with the automatic, but perked up nicely with a manual.
Bumping this thread. I am in a similar situation, I need a second car, a commuter, because my wife is having our first baby. I would like it to be good on gas and have a "big" feeling inside. My bro has a 2005 xB and it is great. Things that matter to me: Fuel Eff, Air Conditioning, fold down/flat back seats, airbags, in the 15k range. Things I could give a crap about: Speed, Horsepower. premium audio. I think I am going to to get the Fit, anyone have feedback or advice?
^ Did you ever consider the new rabbit? They starts about 15,000$ I love small cars. I used to drive an 05 Golf. I gave birth 6 months ago, and I have to get rid of my golf for more spacious car. DUDE! I cried when my hubby and I finally decided to get an 08 New Jetta. I'm such a loser. Golfs are fun to drive. It's very spacious to me since I'm only 5'1. I love how the backseat folds. It has a pretty good fuel efficiency. I had the highest model, so it came with the moonsoon stereo- love it. It has tons of airbag. I miss driving my golf, but on the other hand, my husband drives an 05 GTi 1.8T. I Love his GTi! It handles great, and the torque is amazing. I guess Turbos is out of the question- they uses Super for gas. Then again, VW are high maintenance car.
The Smart is coming to the US: http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/0,1518,516911,00.html Prices between 13 590$ and 16 590$, but of course you only get 2 seats, so it is not the best option for families or so. For a car to do groceries with it is perfect though.
Bought mine for $31k out the door for a loaded 2.0 T5 version. Less expensive than a top of the line GTI or Mini Cooper S but more powerful, more room and rarely seen on US roads.
I have a Cooper S. It's more fun than a barrel full of rum-soaked monkeys, and there are great owners' groups out there. You can also mod the hell out of them - one local owner I know bumped his from the stock 172HP to about 200HP (dyno confirmed) without a sweat.
Anyone ever driven a Suzuki SX4 Crossover? I just noticed them and they are kind of in my price range. I'm interested in test driving one. Anyone have any knowledge of these cars. Any info would help.
how about the new entrant to the market, the kia soul? (coming out later this year) worthy competitor? http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/kia-brings-in-lotus-to-give-their-suspension-some-soul/
I thought the thread was about really tiny cars but I guess the term 'little' means something different in the US as far as cars are concerned anyway. Like the 'triplets' from Toyota and PSA which were designed on a common basis. The Peugeot 107 : The Citroën C1 : The Toyota Aygo : Given the buzz about the Smart, they may be available one day in North America. Well, the Toyota anyway.