Topic: Comparison Test: Affordable Everyday Fun Cars

[Noto]

if i had to choose one of these cars it would be the gti 5 door..... ok add the letter R to that, not for the extra hp but the 4motion. 

^^^ This.  That is what's killing the GTI in Canada, IMO.  If it was GTI with AWD vs WRX for roughly the same $?  I'd have a VERY difficult time deciding despite my love of Subaru and my lukewarmity towards Veedubs.

Golf R at $35k would steal the market.  At $40k, it'd be very competitive.  At $45k, it's a niche player.

...just sayin'.

[jpd]

What about the Smart electric drive? A lot of fun + about $11000 (gouvernment aid + Mercedes incentive) deduction + no more gaz!

[Fobroader]

What about the Smart electric drive? A lot of fun + about $11000 (gouvernment aid + Mercedes incentive) deduction + no more gaz!

[jpd]

@Fobroader,

You obviously do not know anything about the electric Smart!

[tooscoops]

i know that it is a smart....

and that is all i need to know. even if it did the quarter mile in 7 seconds, i don't want one.

[Fobroader]

i know that it is a smart....

and that is all i need to know. even if it did the quarter mile in 7 seconds, i don't want one.

Ding ding ding.....there it is!!

[Weels]

What about the Smart electric drive? A lot of fun + about $11000 (gouvernment aid + Mercedes incentive) deduction + no more gaz!

That would be a bit more fun than a bus pass.... i think.

[Noto]

What about the Smart electric drive? A lot of fun + about $11000 (gouvernment aid + Mercedes incentive) deduction + no more gaz!

That would be a bit more fun than a bus pass.... i think.

...possibly cheaper than a bus pass, too.

[DriverJeff]

Cargo space is bad in the WRX/STI?  I know it's a sedan, but we talking less than 12 cubic feet?

It's not bad at all actually.  If you regularly cart around large, bulky items the hatchback is a no-brainer, but it's not always the best answer.  I brought out a ladder to the test to get the overall group shot.  It fit nicely in the WRX with the rear seat dropped.  In the GTI, the rear seat needed to be dropped and the front seat pushed forward to an unusable position to get the ladder inside. 

[Noto]

I think we need to rebut the standardized laundry bin/toilet paper roll tests done elsewhere

[Solstice2006]

I think we need to rebut the standardized laundry bin/toilet paper roll tests done elsewhere

toilet paper?   cases of beer!

[Fobroader]

I think we need to rebut the standardized laundry bin/toilet paper roll tests done elsewhere

toilet paper?   cases of beer!

Exactly, "this vehicle holds 10 cases of beer with the seats up, 30 with seats down"....that I can picture.

[SaskSpecV]

I think we need to rebut the standardized laundry bin/toilet paper roll tests done elsewhere

toilet paper?   cases of beer!

Exactly, "this vehicle holds 10 cases of beer with the seats up, 30 with seats down"....that I can picture.

That is exactly the unit of measure that C&D uses in some of their comparison tests!  Of course, you don't know how they were stacking in those cases of beer, so maybe their numbers are too low if they aren't good tetris players...

[johngenx]

What about the Smart electric drive?

One out of three ain't bad? 

Fun?  I suppose you could say "fun is in the eye of the beholder" but I'm not so sure.  I admit to not having driven the EV version, but the CDI model was one of the worst driving cars, ever.

Everyday? My Miata is tough to live with as an "everyday" car thanks to the two seats and tiny trunk.  Smart is worse.

[Snowman]

I'm actually afraid of going int a VW dealership and driving a Golf R when they are available.

[johngenx]

I'm actually afraid of going int a VW dealership and driving a Golf R when they are available.

No kidding.  Looks great.  If the pricing is anywhere in the ballpark with the STi, it will be a serious horse-race for the best-bang-for-your-buck-AWD-arse-kicker trophy.

[Snowman]

I'm actually afraid of going int a VW dealership and driving a Golf R when they are available.

No kidding.  Looks great.  If the pricing is anywhere in the ballpark with the STi, it will be a serious horse-race for the best-bang-for-your-buck-AWD-arse-kicker trophy.

And it's a hatch!

[johngenx]

Better Q-Ship too.

[DriverJeff]

I'm actually afraid of going int a VW dealership and driving a Golf R when they are available.

No kidding.  Looks great.  If the pricing is anywhere in the ballpark with the STi, it will be a serious horse-race for the best-bang-for-your-buck-AWD-arse-kicker trophy.

  C'mon Vee-dub... price it properly please!

[bye]

  "fun is in the eye of the beholder" but I'm not so sure.  I admit to not having driven the EV version... My Miata is tough to live with as an "everyday" car thanks to the two seats and tiny trunk.  Smart is worse.

At $100 per month for the lease, and $1 per day to run it, there is nothing available for this price range that comes close to the spirited driving of the Smart ED.

My Mercedes GLK is nowhere near as fast in the City, and I won't even consider driving the bigger Merc for my commute, it's just far more fun to drive the smaller and quicker (in the City) electric car.

I bought the Smart ED after a single test drive.  I didn't need any more convincing.

Highly suggest taking one out, I challenge you to speak poorly of the car given the cost vs fun ratio once you've test driven one.