Smart Car advice please

[KubotainNH]

Yeah, but good luck finding a car that you can still lube wheel bearings.

True enough but the hub assemblies on the rear are pretty easy to swap. They rarely need it anyway.

 

[CliffordK]

absolutely, a 590hp hemi would do nicely. :drool: Just a tad large...

You just need to figure out how to wire it like a locomotive to give you a little extra pushing going up those hills!!!!

 

[daugen]

I've been looking at small cars, more "normal" stuff, and the Chevy Sonic RS looks pretty neat, a hatchback, I believe South Korean build, with a stick and a tiny turbo four. I think the Sonic has gotten good ratings too, but nothing is relevant to me if I can't fit in the driver door.

 

[madmax12]

I've been looking at small cars, more "normal" stuff, and the Chevy Sonic RS looks pretty neat, a hatchback, I believe South Korean build, with a stick and a tiny turbo four. I think the Sonic has gotten good ratings too, but nothing is relevant to me if I can't fit in the driver door.

So, you're a big dude or you're back to trying it on your trailer?

I still say get the redline :thumbsup:

 

[daugen]

no, I've given up on this trailer for sure, am studying dollies now.
5-10, 230 don't like to conk my head on the door frame.

 

[bandaidmd]

Just to go back to the smart car discussion I have a friend who is 6'6" mid 300's. At the car show it always fun to laugh at his contortions trying to fit in different cars. While walking past the smart car display the first year they were introduced the rep heard us ribbing our friend about trying to fit in there and invited him to try it on for size. Surprise he had plenty of room .

 

[daugen]

Just to go back to the smart car discussion I have a friend who is 6'6" mid 300's. At the car show it always fun to laugh at his contortions trying to fit in different cars. While walking past the smart car display the first year they were introduced the rep heard us ribbing our friend about trying to fit in there and invited him to try it on for size. Surprise he had plenty of room .

Lot has to do with the size of the door and this car has a big one. one reason why I'd like to stick with coupes/hatchbacks, often the front door is larger than on a sedan.

 

[daugen]

I'm still looking...kinda interested in a used Miata with a stick. Tiny trunk but I'd only be grocery shopping anyway.
I think I'll sit in the Miata and then need a crane to get out of it...really would like to sit up higher. I set a range of five to twenty thousand in autotrader.com with a stick and it's fun to see what pops up.
Also thinking about a VW GTI. Again, have to sit in the thing and make sure it fits. Really am spoiled driving a Suburban...:confused3:

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm still looking...kinda interested in a used Miata with a stick. Tiny trunk but I'd only be grocery shopping anyway. I think I'll sit in the Miata and then need a crane to get out of it...really would like to sit up higher. I set a range of five to twenty thousand in autotrader.com with a stick and it's fun to see what pops up. Also thinking about a VW GTI. Again, have to sit in the thing and make sure it fits. Really am spoiled driving a Suburban...:confused3:

No comparison between Miata skateboard and GTI on "fit". Golf is the standard family vehicle in Germany where people are as large as in USA. Miata is most famous as the post divorce car of choice according to Click and Clack. I'm 6'5" and can barely get in a Miata and need an engine hoist and WD40 to get out. GTI is no more awkward than any standard size sedan to get in or out. Rear cargo space is huge too when seats folded.

 

[daugen]

IT, and better now, VW's have gotten so good with trickle down tech from Audi and Porsche.
A three door GTI might be just the ticket, rolling on a dollie.
thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

IT, and better now, VW's have gotten so good with trickle down tech from Audi and Porsche.
A three door GTI might be just the ticket, rolling on a dollie.
thanks

I'd look for a Mark V or VI GTI. 2007-2010 should fit in your budget.

The less sporty option I keep bringing up is the Honda Fit which would be roughly the same size and über reliable as well as $6000-9000 less for equivalent used.

 

[daugen]

The Fiat 500 Abarth seems to work, might be a fun run around town car also.
The VW and Fiat are in the competition now. Maybe next week I'll go out and get some seat time. Both dealers are a mile apart about five miles from my home, very convenient for once. The Abarth comes in a poor choice of colors though...white black red and ucky grey. I guess it's got to be the red...

 

[IslandTractor]

The Fiat 500 Abarth seems to work, might be a fun run around town car also. The VW and Fiat are in the competition now. Maybe next week I'll go out and get some seat time. Both dealers are a mile apart about five miles from my home, very convenient for once. The Abarth comes in a poor choice of colors though...white black red and ucky grey. I guess it's got to be the red...

Very different cars. The Fiat is remarkably cute and i'm sure it would get the job done but it is much lighter and less of a highway vehicle than a VW GTI.

 

[Charlie Packwood]

I know you are looking at a car, you did say that you also looked at Golf carts as well but what about a side by side ATV with a convertible roof. I am not sure if you can license these vehicles but they seem to be sturdy and you can get heaters for them and they are agile. Getting in and out is very easy. As for the Fiat I live in Toronto and there are a lot of Fiats around here and they do seem to be a nice vehicle. Just my two cents.

 

[daugen]

IT, my initial reaction was well, ok, fair trade off. But...
now that I'm single again...I'm headed West with the motorhome, and if I want to go off and explore beyond the RV campground, something fun to drive is high on my list. Yes the Fit works well, and now they have inexpensive used ones, but they seem too much like an appliance to me. I'd like a little more pizzazz...

Charlie, thank you. Well...I have a golf cart and I have a UTV, both bought for my wife's failing health.
But I really need something for the road, a real car. I think I would need to have a Peterbilt to haul what I really want to, the golf cart, the UTV, a car and my 16 foot Scout dual console. But I only get to take one....and it has to be a car first.

 

[Charlie Packwood]

Fair enough, We see a lot of Fiats and Smart cars on the road up here. We do a lot of highway travel back and forth to our cottage in the summer and both vehicles are on the highway and seem fine. I have heard that the Smart cars are not as reliable especially when it comes to brake parts. Not that they fail but early replacement, and repairs are somewhat expensive. The Fiat looks neat but I have not heard anything about service or repair. All the best in your travels.

 

[dave1949]

Did you rule out the classic Mini made by BMW now?

 

[aczlan]

But I really need something for the road, a real car. I think I would need to have a Peterbilt to haul what I really want to, the golf cart, the UTV, a car and my 16 foot Scout dual console. But I only get to take one....and it has to be a car first.

If you have enough towing capacity, they make a tow dolly where the golf cart would fit across the front, although for the price, you could probably get a trailer big enough to put the golf cart in front or behind the car...

Aaron Z

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

If your headed to the mountains, a turbo anything would be a plus.

The Fiat's are kind of neat, but I'm not so impressed with the "metro-retro" styling.

 

[buickanddeere]

I keep seeing people get tied up in mpg instead of "cost per mile". For a 15,000mile a year driver and the price of fuel. A difference of $50 a month in fuel is nothing when the vehicle is already $1000 a month for payments and insurance.
For my family we purchase larger heavier vehicles. A minimum of 3500lb or more Trax/Encore or 4300lb Terrain instead of a 2300lb Chev Spark. My sister is a Paramedic and the Father-Inlaw a retired Firechief. Time and time again they see the persons in the large vehicle walk away from a wreck while the encobox passengers are injured of killed.