I have always said:
"I love me a little econobox".
I actually call'em "little $#!+boxes...but, I love'em just the same!
They're not may favorite segment of vehicle but still near the top especially the hatchback versions. And especially as a run-a-bout car.
Cars like the mentioned Mazda2, FIT as well as the Versa(NOTE), Yaris/iA, Accent/RIO, Fiesta, Sonic/Spark etc.
Great cars for...
*running around town
*hatchback utility
*scooting in & out of traffic(be safe)
*easy to wash, easy to drive, easy to park, easy to maintain
*they have a soul when others have lost theirs.
And buying them pre-owned is the best way because when buying subcompact vehicles NEW, the subcompact vehicle low price is the only cheap cost of the car because their cheapness in build quality & parts may in fact cost more money down the road than the more expensive vehicle in the next segment or two UP. AND also, you may in fact get larger discounts on better/larger vehicles just because they sell in larger quantities and dealers need to make room on their lots. Vehicles such as, Altimas, Malibus, Sonata's/Optima's, Fusion's...
NOT so much for the Accord's, Camry's, Mazda6 etc.
However, parts such as... struts/shocks, wheel bearing, head gaskets, brakes etc., can often fail sooner on the little econobox than better vehicles just because of the vehicle is built for a price point. And maybe they don't get the absolute best fuel economy compared to the next level up in vehicles but, the fuel economy is still good in the grand scheme of things.
The reason that many subcompacts don't really get better fuel economy(YMMV) is the fact that these little engines have to work harder, they don't have all of the fuel saving technologies that more money will buy in higher priced vehicles and they may not even be as aerodynamic as the next level up in vehicles...just to name a few things.
But, I love'em!
