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Thread: Micro Cars

  1. #1
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Micro Cars

    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?
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    Last edited by JohnMichael; 07-21-2011 at 07:00 PM.
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  2. #2
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    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.

  3. #3
    Sgt. At Arms Worf101's Avatar
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    Eh.....

    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

  4. #4
    Ajani
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    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...

  5. #5
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    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.
    JohnMichael
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  6. #6
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    This is as close to "micro" as I wanna get...then again, I am unapologetically supportive of conspicuous consumption...
    So, I broke into the palace
    With a sponge and a rusty spanner
    She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Maybe I am just downsizing for the day I will need a mobility scooter.
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  8. #8
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael View Post
    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?
    So, I broke into the palace
    With a sponge and a rusty spanner
    She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  9. #9
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    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.
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  10. #10
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackraven View Post
    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.
    JohnMichael
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  11. #11
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Stupid Car

    Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael View Post
    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".



    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.
    Last edited by Feanor; 07-22-2011 at 01:10 PM.

  12. #12
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    My current small car.
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    JohnMichael
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  13. #13
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    I thought I might post my first car. My first car was a 69 AMX bought used in 77. Did a little street racing.
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    JohnMichael
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  14. #14
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ajani View Post
    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
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  15. #15
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
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    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.
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  16. #16
    Suspended markw's Avatar
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    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.

  17. #17
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by markw View Post
    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.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
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  18. #18
    Charm Thai™
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael View Post
    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.

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