Thinking Small

[daves87rs]

With all the talk about the big cars, rwd, and other stuff-I thought it was time for a bit of a change.

As much as I would like a G8 or Camaro and I do love RWD (old school and now)-it is unlikely that I will going to be able to afford one for a while...

What is more likely is that I'll be driving a compact...a car that offers good gas milage, and a car that I can afford.

And I would love to have one of the cars on my wish list....

I could see an Astra or Vibe in the future......

And am I the only one thinking small?

Ocn is shopping between an Astra or a HHR ( SS, LT) Loves his truck-but would like to save some money too.....

So I ask-would you consider a small (compact) car? Astra? Madza 3? Mini? Civic?

They still make sense for many of us-whether it is your main car- or the car that keeps your Camaro out of bad weather, that they do come in quite handy....

What do you think?

[Satty]

I'd take a Mini over almost anything else available. I got to check out an Astra today (5-door XE sticker of $17k and change) and it seems like a very nice ride. The black interior isn't the livliest, but the exterior is excellent in black. So yeah, I'd take a small car in a heartbeat. Then again, I dont consider the Fusion to be a really big car, so I might say I already have a small car.

[Blake Noble]

Me? I'm not thinking small at all. I've already got something to drive when maybe fuel gets a little tight: my Sonoma. So, there most likely will be a black Camaro setting next to it in the near future.

Edited February 9, 2008 by YellowJacket894

[daves87rs]

Me? I'm not thinking small at all. I've already got something to drive when maybe fuel gets a little tight: my Sonoma. So, there most likely will be a black Camaro setting next to it in the near future.

Yeah, but isn't it already paid for? So at least you have a beater for the Camaro....

[vonVeezelsnider]

The Mini is an ergonomic Nightmare, I don't care for Mazda 3, or the company's response to the rash of break-ins caused by a design defect. I sorta like the Cobalt, but not the G5. The HHR SS, I don't like, but a loaded HHR LT looks sharp and might be considered. I like the Astra but not the interior, and the Civic, well, I think you know the answer.

I'd just as easily spend the money I would spend on a new 4-Banger on a couple years old W-Monte Carlo to go with the Impala.

[Intrepidation]

The MIni and Astra are very nice cars, they would make great small cars to own.

Still, I say smoke `em while you got `em because the Challenger and Camaro may not be around for very long..it may be the last time we see all 3 muscle cars together to duke it out. Besides you can aways get the V6 versions.

So, it's a Camaro and a Challenger for me. Besides, I already have a small car get gets 40+ highway...so I'm covered.

[SuperSport623]

small car? i want a 71 Vega with a 496!

[ZL-1]

So I ask-would you consider a small (compact) car? Astra? Madza 3? Mini? Civic?

For the driving experience the Mini. For more practical matters either the Mazda 3 or the 5dr Astra. If you decide on a blend of style and practicality, the 3-door Astra. I like the Euro Civic 'spacey' styling, but I wouldn't buy one and certainly not the US-market Civic sedan/coupe.

[Cory Wolfe]

I'll drive the smallest of small cars. I can drive whatever I'm in the mood to drive, though. Right now I'm considering a car that's 207" in length and one that's 156" in length. I like having wide tastes and being versatile. Except trucks and SUVs. I won't do those... That's just nasty.

[caddycruiser]

No, you're NOT.

My Suburban driving mother just went Malibu...and that's still a bit "large" to her, and IF it were just her & dad, she'd love to drive VW Beetle still.

Dad, the Roadmaster driver (that's been his smallest vehicle in a while) has been talking so much about "I really wish I had something smaller and a lot more efficient, I just can't decide what. Something like a Beetle...but...that's too small, maybe." I had him talking when I was home, and he also asked me about the HHR when we saw one, "That might not be a bad idea, but they don't make them with a stick or anything"...I told him they do..."Hmmm...really. Too bad they're ugly, or weird, or something...I can't decide what."

So, we have 2 potential Beetle people here...my dad being the one that still shocks me, but he goes 100% on looks, and in small cars, that does it for him.

Me, the Fleetwood driver (seriously...even at a decently large college, I have the biggest car to be seen), my upcoming new car will be much smaller, for sure. I can't figure out what, and am thinking a step down to Malibu size like mom would work...but then I also keep thinking it's only me, and even SMALLER would be great. So, Astra, Beetle, Mini, etc., etc. and even a Smart aren't far off. Ever since the Smart dealer opened less than a mile down the street, with then a VW dealer a block further, etc., it's always been on my mind.

The car that did it for me was my Malibu rental, in the sense that it was the first 4-cylinder vehicle I had ever driven, and I came to LOVE that aspect about it so much in the time I had it...I really started seeing things in a different light. It was also this that made me direct the purchase of mom's Malibu to stay with a 2.4L and not go V6 "just because" as so many past purchases have.

And as much as I love my Fleetwood, the attention it gets, the rarity, the space, etc...I looked back on buying it 2 years ago, and even my mother said again to me several times recently, that I very much should have gone with something smaller, newer, and more efficient for the same dough. Basically, not just gone on "Oooh...look at that..." gut instinct.

I've still yet to get myself to the auto show...but of everything, am dying to try out the Astra, the Smart, and reintroduce myself to the Beetle, Rabbit/GTI, and others that I've ignored in the past couple of years.

Edited February 9, 2008 by caddycruiser

[§carlet §wordfish]

We already have two small cars, and one of them will be mine when I graduate. I'd like to have the Sunfire as it's slightly less bland than the depressing Corsica, but I will need to become more proficient at working the manual.

[Blake Noble]

Yeah, but isn't it already paid for? So at least you have a beater for the Camaro....

Yep. Exactly.

[K.C.]

As C&G's local gas guzzler, I have begun to fill my garage with more efficient vehicles. At one time, I had the Av, the Vette, and a DTS. I am now just down to the Vette, but have ordered an Acadia to replace the now deceased Av. While the Acadia is a sill a very large vehicle with mileage in the high teens real world, most of the time I carry another person as well as three giant dogs that wiegh as much as the average person, so I think of mileage based on the number of occupants I am carrying. With the Av, I average 17-18 mpg. Well, if I am carrying myself and my two kids, then my mileage is 51-54 miles per gallon per occupant. With the Acadia, I expect to get 18-19 mpg, not much better than the Av, but I am hoping on trips to get at least 20 mpg. If I am carrying my daughter, son, his fiancee, and the three dogs, then at 20 mpg that would be 140 mpgpo (miles per gallon per occupant). If I bought a very small vehicle, then two cars would be needed, and at 30 mpg with 3 people in one car and me in the dogs in the other, it would be 90 mpg for one car and 120 for the other, which is still less efficient per vehicle for the trip.

When my daughter turns 16, she wants a Camaro. At first, I told her I'd get her a V-6 Camaro, but now that gas prices are going up I have changed my mind and told her she will be getting an Astra 3-door instead. It would be a better first car for her and will offer her some practicality.

My son is also discovering that filling up a gas guzzling SUV can drain the wallet. His SS Trailblazer costs him about $400 in gas a month. That's a car payment. His Sky (which gets driven about as much as my Vette) gets great mileage, but is not practical for the winter weather we have around here, and that car has much sentimental value to him.

As for having a smaller vehicle, I could do it, as long as its a rear drive platform with all wheel drive optional. I am looking forward to the Alpha architecture. I'd consider it with a small V-6 or a I-4 engine if it is refined enough and if the car is a real handler.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

small car? i want a 71 Vega with a 496!

+1

Well... I'll still have the Focus hanging around.

I could see myself buying another small car, as long as it's appealing. I'd consider an HHR SS, Caliber SRT-4, another Focus (if it ever gets redesigned) or a small Pontiac if it wasn't a rebadged Chevy.

I'll prolly drive whatever I want though once I get out of school. I'm willing to make sacrifices in other areas of my life in order to afford fuel. For instance, I'll never have children.

[daves87rs]

small car? i want a 71 Vega with a 496!

the only compact, like ever, to get 6 mpg.... :AH-HA_wink:

It'd be like driving a speeding bullet.....

[daves87rs]

As C&G's local gas guzzler, I have begun to fill my garage with more efficient vehicles. At one time, I had the Av, the Vette, and a DTS. I am now just down to the Vette, but have ordered an Acadia to replace the now deceased Av. While the Acadia is a sill a very large vehicle with mileage in the high teens real world, most of the time I carry another person as well as three giant dogs that wiegh as much as the average person, so I think of mileage based on the number of occupants I am carrying. With the Av, I average 17-18 mpg. Well, if I am carrying myself and my two kids, then my mileage is 51-54 miles per gallon per occupant. With the Acadia, I expect to get 18-19 mpg, not much better than the Av, but I am hoping on trips to get at least 20 mpg. If I am carrying my daughter, son, his fiancee, and the three dogs, then at 20 mpg that would be 140 mpgpo (miles per gallon per occupant). If I bought a very small vehicle, then two cars would be needed, and at 30 mpg with 3 people in one car and me in the dogs in the other, it would be 90 mpg for one car and 120 for the other, which is still less efficient per vehicle for the trip.

When my daughter turns 16, she wants a Camaro. At first, I told her I'd get her a V-6 Camaro, but now that gas prices are going up I have changed my mind and told her she will be getting an Astra 3-door instead. It would be a better first car for her and will offer her some practicality.

My son is also discovering that filling up a gas guzzling SUV can drain the wallet. His SS Trailblazer costs him about $400 in gas a month. That's a car payment. His Sky (which gets driven about as much as my Vette) gets great mileage, but is not practical for the winter weather we have around here, and that car has much sentimental value to him.

As for having a smaller vehicle, I could do it, as long as its a rear drive platform with all wheel drive optional. I am looking forward to the Alpha architecture. I'd consider it with a small V-6 or a I-4 engine if it is refined enough and if the car is a real handler.

I think with everything you have to carry, I don't even think a small car would be good for you. THough, you could buy an older beater (Escort, Cavalier) to just putt around town with.....

Alpha will be interesting...I too will consider it. I'm curious to see what kind of price range that these cars will fall in to....

[daves87rs]

We already have two small cars, and one of them will be mine when I graduate. I'd like to have the Sunfire as it's slightly less bland than the depressing Corsica, but I will need to become more proficient at working the manual.

What year Sunfire, may I ask?

The 2.2's are slow, but they go forever...and are more fun with a stick anyways...

[daves87rs]

The Mini is an ergonomic Nightmare, I don't care for Mazda 3, or the company's response to the rash of break-ins caused by a design defect. I sorta like the Cobalt, but not the G5. The HHR SS, I don't like, but a loaded HHR LT looks sharp and might be considered. I like the Astra but not the interior, and the Civic, well, I think you know the answer.

I'd just as easily spend the money I would spend on a new 4-Banger on a couple years old W-Monte Carlo to go with the Impala.

HHR? I would agree with the uplevel trims are nice....

W? Eh, I'd wait a bit longer for one, though I think you might be able to get a MC nearly new for the price of a compact...I saw an 06 with 13k on it for 9200 a few days ago....

[vonVeezelsnider]

The 2.2's are slow

Tres Slow Indeed...

W? Eh, I'd wait a bit longer for one, though I think you might be able to get a MC nearly new for the price of a compact...I saw an 06 with 13k on it for 9200 a few days ago....

Yes, W. That's my "Graduate from University Plan". I'll have my dad's 2007 Impala in 2yrs, and I want a Coupe with Big Heavy Doors and the same front end to match.

Edited February 10, 2008 by vonVeezelsnider

[GMTruckGuy74]

I'm trying to explain to the wife that with her daily 64-mile roundtrip commute, a large and/or heavy vehicle should not be on her shopping list. I drive the Envoy the most during the week (at least 3 days), so that she gets better gas mileage using the AURA. So far she's interested in the Volvo S40/V50/C30 and the Saturn VUE AWD (she also wants a CTS, but they're priced beyond what we want to spend, and an Enclave, which would see 1.5 persons on a daily basis). She does not like the Cobalt, G5, and ASTRA, so those are out of the question. I'm wondering how just how efficient the VUE would be before she ends up with a Volvo?

[avant1963]

When the G6 lease is up this year, it's either a G8 GT or an HHR SS. It all has to do with price (the HHR is almost 10k cheaper) and what Pontiac dealers are doing with the G8 come Aug/Sept. I looked at a black HHR SS yesterday (couldn't drive it because it was in the showroom, and it was an auto anyway) and I (and my wife) really liked it.

With the G8 I refuse to pay over sticker. And I get the "supplier discount" or GM Card discount (whatever is more at the time) and I'm hoping that GM (or the dealer) does not pull the G8 from the program. So I am thinking smaller, but not from an "fuel saving" economic, but from a overall price standpoint.

[ocnblu]

Roger if your wife dislikes the Asstra simply because of the all-black interior, tell her to wait a few months, my Saturn saleschick says a tan/black interior color combo is on the way.

[Camino LS6]

I just don't do small, even with something as tempting as a Kappa. It's really a moot point for me anyway, I have to daily drive the Silverado. Any second vehicle I might buy would not be driven enough for mpg concerns to enter into the equation.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Roger if your wife dislikes the Asstra simply because of the all-black interior, tell her to wait a few months, my Saturn saleschick says a tan/black interior color combo is on the way.

No, it has nothing to do with it being all black (although that was her reason for us to get an AURA XE instead of the XR back in '06). She does not like the center stack design (too flat and not tiled/driver-oriented). I agree to an extent, as I find it very '90s-like (my '92 Cavalier was that way). Too bad GM couldn't have found a way to afford an improvement in that aspect of the ASTRA before bringing it over here (compare it to the other Saturn vehicle interiors and you have to agree that it's dated; I know that it will be a 2-year only deal, but it may be a deal breaker for some <like my wife>).

[§carlet §wordfish]

What year Sunfire, may I ask?

The 2.2's are slow, but they go forever...and are more fun with a stick anyways...

It's a 2000 coupe.

I always thought it looked like a baby Firebird =P

[daves87rs]

It's a 2000 coupe.

I always thought it looked like a baby Firebird =P

Yep, they do...

I've seen a few people make them look that way too.....

So it is a 2.2 -should last you a while....

[daves87rs]

Tres Slow Indeed...

Yes, W. That's my "Graduate from University Plan". I'll have my dad's 2007 Impala in 2yrs, and I want a Coupe with Big Heavy Doors and the same front end to match.

Ah, that makes sense....