I love me a little econobox

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted by Al
My 3 year old Spark averages 34 mpg in winter and 38 mpg in summer. And these are mostly 8 mile round trips. I love the thing.


Yeah, that is quite good for hilly PA.
I am assuming that most of your 8 mile 'round tips is some stop & go or is it straight hiwy(4mi/ea/way)?

Yes, this is the category(subcompact) that I am primarily speaking of. Such as today's FIT, NOTE, Accent/RIO, Fiesta, Spark/Sonic all in hatchback versions.

However, I am not opposed to the next segment(compact) upward as they do offer much more refinement. ATMOF, I do like the hatchback versions of the Focus, Mazda3, Elantra/Forte, Corolla, Civic. I do think that the GOLF is the "crème de la crème" in terms of size and refinement.

 

[Cujet]

There is no question that a small and light car can exhibit excellent feel and driving dynamics. Especially around town.

I rent cars constantly. Many small ones simply drive like cars should. Large cars can be quite numb.

Amazingly, the new C7 Corvette, a car I really enjoy driving, feels about as numb as a Malibu at slow speeds. The big components (wheels/tires/suspension) simply hide road feel.

In my opinion, things change when speeds increase. Economy cars are often tiresome on long highway trips. I recently rented a Malibu and put 1600 miles on it in 2 weeks. I could not wait to turn that thing in.

 

[Rmay635703]

The old Subaru 360 was a lot of fun, too bad parts are so hard to get and the brake seals like to crap out all the time

 

[Cujet]

Edit: Duplicate post

 

[CharBaby]

With all of the cars that I have test driven &/or rented while out of town/vacations, I have enjoyed the Versa NOTE quite a bit. On the other end of the spectrum, I have also enjoyed the Chrysler/Dodge minivans. I have enjoyed both of these vehicles better than many other small cars or family/large sedans. IDK, I just enjoy driving these 2 vehicles in particular as they both seem easy & relaxed while I am driving in unfamiliar territory.

 

[dailydriver]

I would rather walk, or ride a bicycle everywhere IF I was ever forced to trade my little rally rocket for a HUGE, numb, ZERO handling capability, can't get out of it's own way in a turn, 'road tank' SUV/truck like everyone else seems compelled to own/drive in this land.

I under stand those who actually DO need such for their occupation/business/etc., but I do not need one of these rolling houses to feel 'safe', or to prove manhood/financial status, etc.

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted by Char Baby
Originally Posted by Al
My 3 year old Spark averages 34 mpg in winter and 38 mpg in summer. And these are mostly 8 mile round trips. I love the thing.


Yeah, that is quite good for hilly PA.
I am assuming that most of your 8 mile 'round tips is some stop & go or is it straight hiwy(4mi/ea/way)?


I wouldn't really consider that too good in that small of a car. I can pull 35mpg average easily on my 62 mile round trip to work through the mountain and hills here in the GTI. Makes it nice since it doesn't feel like you're driving a penalty box all the time...

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Delta
I wouldn't really consider that too good in that small of a car. I can pull 35mpg average easily on my 62 mile round trip to work through the mountain and hills here in the GTI.


But a Spark will cost less than half as much as a GTI.

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by Delta
I wouldn't really consider that too good in that small of a car. I can pull 35mpg average easily on my 62 mile round trip to work through the mountain and hills here in the GTI.


But a Spark will cost less than half as much as a GTI.


While the Spark being half the car... Not meaning to knock it, but different flavors for different folks I recon.

 

[Patman]

I love little hatchbacks, I just wish they weren't becoming more and more rare these days

I would have chosen a hatchback Civic over my coupe if it were offered in 2006.

I prefer the 3 door hatchbacks over the 5 door ones, even though they are a lot less practical.

I know it's technically considered a small SUV but my favorite hatchback out there right now is this one:

 

[dwcopple]

yeah, the neighbor has a Spectra 5 door that looks exactly like this one:

Tinted out, looks awesome. Cool orange paint. If those are reliable, I'd love to snag a low $$$ one for a grocery getter/errand runner.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted by Delta
Originally Posted by Char Baby
Originally Posted by Al
My 3 year old Spark averages 34 mpg in winter and 38 mpg in summer. And these are mostly 8 mile round trips. I love the thing.


Yeah, that is quite good for hilly PA.
I am assuming that most of your 8 mile 'round tips is some stop & go or is it straight hiwy(4mi/ea/way)?


I wouldn't really consider that too good in that small of a car. I can pull 35mpg average easily on my 62 mile round trip to work through the mountain and hills here in the GTI. Makes it nice since it doesn't feel like you're driving a penalty box all the time...

Well actually on the Highway I get about 42. The trip to town is pretty flat, and low speed. Two stop signs and a light. Hardly any traffic. But in the winter you get bad mileage for any cay that is starting from cold.

Actually the Spark is reasonably roomy in the front and believe it or not sits up pretty good. Of course it is an econobox..$12,300 OTD

 

[CharBaby]

Yeah, like I mentioned earlier. That's pretty good MPG considering hilly PA. And most people's driving is combine MPG.
Just because people drive small cars, doesn't mean the their MPG is going to be much better than the next segment up in a vehicle.
Take a look, fore example:

Honda FIT, CIVIC & ACCORD. They're all quite close in their EPA Fuel Economy ratings.
Same goes for Yaris, Corolla, Camry...Versa, Sentra, Altima, all 4 cyls of course.

And lets talk for a minute about the MPG is the subcompact vs compact SUVs. Most of the larger sibling with the more powerful engine, heavier vehicle are =/> in their EPA fuel economy figures. And the larger will be more satisfying to drive.

But, I still love me a little hatch!

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted by Al

Well actually on the Highway I get about 42. The trip to town is pretty flat, and low speed. Two stop signs and a light. Hardly any traffic. But in the winter you get bad mileage for any cay that is starting from cold.

Actually the Spark is reasonably roomy in the front and believe it or not sits up pretty good. Of course it is an econobox..$12,300 OTD


This is where you got me, lol. Driving the PA Turnpike at around 80mph my mpg drops drastically to around 28. Come to think of it that's the only highway the car really sees, I live in the middle of nowhere.

 

[DriveHard]

Love, love, love this car...

got her up to nearly 230hp, and still get 35+ mpg on my commute.

 

[PandaBear]

My brother in law once had a SL55 AMG, that car is nice and fun, but not fun to drive in traffic at all. You just cannot step on the pedal or it will be too fast, so you are riding the brake the entire time.

The old 91 Escort (100 hp I think) with worn out struts all around? yeah that's fun, it is so bouncy and you have to stomp on it every corner to get it up to speed, it is actually fun. Not comfy in long drive at all, but fun.

 

[NewEnglander]

If you can find yourself a 2012-2017 Kia Rio they are fun and economical to bomb around in if you are in the city. In some ways one of Peter Schreyer's best efforts if you ask me. Should be able to find a bottom price too!