Smaller Car portal

From MKRD.info Wiki

The purpose of this portal is to introduce you to intelligent choices for car purchase -- something that is not as huge as what American preferences are, something that is practical, reliable, smart, affordable, and of course good on gas consumption. You pay in cost and gas mileage for the image only, while people rarely put such important factors as comfort and usability ahead of the car image.


Recommended

  • Honda Fit: starling of the list and my personal favorite. I had a reported 37mpg long-term average (commute to work by rural backroads). Buy a used one, 2009+, Sport model only (bigger wheels, etc). Girls love the car. However, before 2011, ESC was only available on the hard to find Sport with Navigation package. Also, Navigation option is pretty expensive. Buy only the Sport model.
  • VW Golf Hatchback. Good.
  • Pontiac Vibe. Poor driving position, otherwise OK. Like SUV.
  • Suzuki SX-4, X-90 4x4. All wheel drive and large car, however: poor mileage (24mpg), poor satisfaction.
  • Scion xD hatchback. Not ugly like other Scions. However, not good satisfaction and seating position.
  • Toyota Matrix. Small hatchback somewhere in between a sedan and an SUV. Buy 2009+ models. 29mpg. However, poor seating position and satisfaction.


Problems or limitations

  • Ford Focus. New, not yet reviewed.
  • Subaru Forester. Small SUV, good visibility, AWD. However, it is large like an SUV, low mpg, expensive.
  • Nissan Versa. Looks like SUV. Poor reliability and satisfaction.
  • Huyndai Accent. Poor reliability and satisfaction.
  • Toyota Yaris. Poor driving position.


Rejected, or not recommended

  • Dodge Caliber. Poor visibility and reliability.
  • VW GTI. Expensive, reliability, small, manual.
  • Pontiac G3. Is now Chevrolet Aveo.
  • Kia CQ-R. Reliability.
  • Subary Outback. Wagon, expensive.
  • Suzuki Swift. Not rated.
  • Suzuki Aerio. Discontinued in 2007, replaced with SX-4.
  • Geo Tracker. Discontinued.
  • Nissan Tiida is Versa.
  • Chevrolet Aveo. Very poorly made.
  • Honda Element. Will be discontinued, poor driving position.
  • Scion xA. Discontinued in 2008.


Todo:

  • cost, mpg, picture
  • require ABS, ESC, flex fuel, pressure sensors, and service need notifications on all cars sold in US