Micro Cars

[JohnMichael]

While in Paris I enjoyed seeing the micro cars and I am glad they are here or will be soon. I am torn between the Fiat 500 and the Scion IQ 2012. I think they are both a little smarter than the Smart Car. The Scion has a Continuously Variable Transmission and I have been told that the Fiat 500 will be more dependable with the automatic. Any ideas regarding the two cars?

[Hyfi]

Until there are no 18 wheelers on the road, they are out of the question no matter how smart or green they are.

They all look silly too.

I remember being amazed 5 years ago when I first saw the Smart car in Chipenham, England. I thought is was cool that they could be parked sideways like a motorcycle when spaces were slim.

[Worf101]

Micro car=clown car
Particularly with my ass trying to squeeze in and out of it. If I wreck in one of those, just bury me in it, save me the cost of a coffin.

Worf

[Ajani]

I kinda like the look of the white one... But considering that I'm 6'2" and about 240lbs, then I REALLY doubt I'll fit in it...

[JohnMichael]

I have always enjoyed driving small cars. I loved watching all the Micros in Paris weaving in and out of traffic consisting of bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars and huge tour buses. After my trip I found my Toyota Echo coupe to be bigger than what is needed. I will most likely keep the Echo. It is 10 years old with over 100,000 miles and not a thing wrong with it. There should be plenty of room for me and the dog.

[bobsticks]

This (http://wot.motortrend.com/files/2010/09/30633589.jpeg) is as close to "micro" as I wanna get...then again, I am unapologetically supportive of conspicuous consumption...

[JohnMichael]

Maybe I am just downsizing for the day I will need a mobility scooter.

[bobsticks]

Maybe I am just downsizing for the day I will need a scooter.

Like "in the Bahamas"?...how do did you know I was putting together a retirement package for you?

[blackraven]

Get a Mini Cooper S or wait for the Fiat 500 Abarth to arrive here. The only reason I mention these are for the fun factor. The Abarth is the sport model of the 500 with more horse power and better handling. The guys on top gear loved the Abarth. For reliability I would go with the one of the smaller Scion models or Honda Fit.

[JohnMichael]

Get a Mini Cooper S or wait for the Fiat 500 Abarth to arrive here. The only reason I mention these are for the fun factor. The Abarth is the sport model of the 500 with more horse power and better handling. The guys on top gear loved the Abarth. For reliability I would go with the one of the smaller Scion models or Honda Fit.



My only concern about the Fiat is it's affiliation with Dodge. I would hate to take it to my local dealer for service. The last Dodge I owned the dealer could never fix a problem.

I have read good things about the Scion IQ. I am not looking for performance just cuteness. I did test drive the Mini Cooper but did not enjoy it.

[Feanor]

While in Paris I enjoyed seeing the micro cars and I am glad they are here or will be soon. I am torn between the Fiat 500 and the Scion IQ 2012. I think they are both a little smarter than the Smart Car. The Scion has a Continuously Variable Transmission and I have been told that the Fiat 500 will be more dependable with the automatic. Any ideas regarding the two cars?
Yep, I dare say the Fiat and Scion are smarter than the Smart Car. My son and his wife bought a Smart Car (a.k.a. Smart Fortwo). My wife and I have driven it. I call it a "Stupid Car".

http://home-and-car-repair.com/car/uploads/bluesmartcarJPG.jpg

FYI, in the Consumer Reports' 'Hatchbacks: Subcompact' category Smart Fortwo got the lowest score of 28;. (the best in that Category was the Honda Fit at 76). However neither the Fiat nor Scion were rated as of the April edition.

The micros, IMO, might work for strictly low-speed, in-city, non-freeway vehicles but otherwise not well suited from North American driving. My son and daughther-in-law drive it on highwayd a lot, e.g. from Regina to Calgary, and I cringe when I hear about it.

[JohnMichael]

My current small car.

[JohnMichael]

I thought I might post my first car. My first car was a 69 AMX bought used in 77. Did a little street racing.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

I kinda like the look of the white one... But considering that I'm 6'2" and about 240lbs, then I REALLY doubt I'll fit in it...

Reminder to self, stay on Ajani's good side :yesnod:

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Personally, I love small cars. I owned a 2003 Honda Insight for years before I gave it to my best friend. He was 6'3", and had no trouble getting in to it. I currently own a 2009 Lexus Hybrid SUV. Unfortunately I haven't driven it in months thanks to the twins.

[markw]

Too many soccer moms jabbering into cell phones while waving one hand and swerving from lane to lane in Expeditions and Escalades around here for me to feel safe in a mini car. My Elantra is about as small as I want to go.

...and I used to drive a '62 Sunbeam Alpine.

[JohnMichael]

Too many soccer moms jabbering into cell phones while waving one hand and swerving from lane to lane in Expeditions and Escalades around here for me to feel safe in a mini car. My Elantra is about as small as I want to go.

...and I used to drive a '62 Sunbeam Alpine.



Ya who the hell are they talking to all the time. My car is my peace and music time. I do not talk or text because of the need to be alert of all the people that do have the phone glued. My favorite is a mom in the left lane with three visible kids in the back seat and possibly more and she is texting. May the children grow up to be smarter than their mom.

[TheHills44060]

I thought I might post my first car. My first car was a 69 AMX bought used in 77. Did a little street racing.
Niiiiice..Love the color JM. I am not into smart cars myself but my neighbor just recently bought a Fiat (looks like the model in the pic u posted) and it got my attention enough to stop and take a quick look at it.