The Best and Worst Cars I Haven't Driven

"Collin" (coliin)
12/21/2013 at 09:15 • Filed to: None

Being an uninformed, poorly connected, not at all established, amateur, internet auto journalist, I have automakers literally not beating down my door to have me drive the cars that they produce. In fact, if most manufacturers had their way, they wouldn't let me lay a hand on anything with their name on it. As it turns out, you can't just start emailing press departments and expect to end up with complimentary vehicles in your driveway, regardless of how much you promise not to wreck them.

As such, there were a lot of cars that I didn't get to drive this year. Some were only ok. Others were great. A few were outstanding. Still others were below average. A couple were even terrible.

Here is the list of the best and the worst cars that I haven't driven this year.

Best: Morgan Three Wheeler

What is there to say about the Morgan Three Wheeler that people don't know? It's a tub with three wheels. It's powered by a V Twin that sits completely in front of the body. It has no roof. You can get it painted like a WWII fighter plane. Doug Demuro refuses to buy one. I would give an arm and a leg to own it. It's (probably) the best car currently made.

Best: BMW X6M

When you buy an SUV, you expect it to be capable off road. The X6M is not that. When you buy a station wagon, you expect it to have loads of headroom in the back and plenty of storage space. The X6M doesn't have that. When you buy a sports coupe, you expect it to be light and low. The X6M isn't that at all. The X6M, however, does have 555 hp in a fastback crossover SUV that is completely nonsensical. There is (probably) not a single person in the entire world who needs to own an X6M (nor a need for me to test it), and yet BMW still produced it anyways. You have to admire a car that is produced for the zero people who asked for it and the (maybe) 37 people who eventually bought it.

Best: Mazda6

Prior to wrecking it in high school, I briefly drove a Mazda 626. It was probably a good car, but I mostly hated it due to the fact that I didn't like it. Everybody who likes cars knows that Mazda now has an impenetrable lineup of excellent vehicles that should all be purchased. Say what you will about the Camry, but the Mazda6 is (probably) better in every way. In fact, instead of resorting to commercials full of lies, the Mazda6 is actually (probably) fun to drive. Imagine that!

Worst: Mitsubishi Galant

If you want to spot someone who doesn't know how to spend their money wisely, look for someone driving a Mitsubishi Galant. Listening to the Evo fanboys, you'd expect Mitsubishi to have a heck of a strong lineup, but when you actually took a look at what they had to offer, the entire lineup was crap. The only reason that anyone would actually have (probably) voluntarily looked at a Galant would be if they were blind and if they were looking for a Japanese competitor to their old Dodge Avenger. After all, you (probably) couldn't seriously compare the Galant to a real midsize sedan like a Camry or Sonata.

Then Mitsubishi had to go and cancel the Galant. Since no amount of Buffalo Trace would ever convince me to spend money on a Galant, and I would never seriously attempt to find one to test drive a discontinued snoozemobile, I guess I'll have to be content to (probably) never test drive one of the least desirable vehicles ever manufactured.

Worst: Nissan Versa

When you're the cheapest car in America, you inherently compete with used cars. Unfortunately for Nissan, I recently purchased a used BMW 540i for less than half of the base price of the Vera. While the Versa offers a warranty, my used car offers everything from comfortable seats to a quality interior to a powerful engine and even a manual transmission. I haven't driven a CVT, but if the internet's CVT hate is in any way justified, I would (probably) absolutely hate the Versa's transmission. Something tells me that it will also take a long time before the repairs on my 540i surpass the price difference between the country's cheapest car and what I paid for mine. How could I ever give up driving that?

Worst: smart ForTwo

I wanted to be a fan of the ForTwo. I really did. In fact, right before they brought it to the US, I had talked about it enough that my aunt gave me a model of the ForTwo to build. Unfortunately for smart, I became a grown adult and realized that their car (probably) sucks. Sure it's (probably) easy to park in compact spaces, but you know what else is easy to park? A motorcycle. In fact, a motorcycle is (hypothetically) way easier to park because you can just pull into any parking garage and then go around the arm when it's time for you to leave (not that I would ever do such a thing). The ForTwo also only has a maximum of two seats like a motorcycle, and the motorcycle may even have more cargo room if you strap on saddle bags.

What you definitely won't get from the ForTwo is motorcycle fuel efficiency, and even worse, you'll (probably) never be able to overcome how uncool the ForTwo is. While a motorcycle isn't particularly safe, it's also undeniably cool. Motorcycles are cheap as well. ForTwos? Nope. They're not cheap at all. For the price of a super slow and lame ForTwo, you can get a super fast and super cool motorcycle.

Beat that, smart, you (probably) stupidly pretentious company that (probably) won't capitalize its name.

You can follow me on Twitter if you'd like: @CBWoodard

Images: Autoblog.com, CarType.com, Autoblog.com, KBB.com, Edmunds.com, GreenCarReports.com

DISCUSSION (99)

The Transporter > Collin
12/21/2013 at 00:20

Having driven half of this list, I can say that the Versa isn't as bad as the Internet Hate Machine makes it out to be, the Galant is worse than it's made out to be, and while the Mazda 6 is good, it's a mid-sized car straddled with the engine from a compact. That engine is much better in the Mazda 3.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Collin
12/21/2013 at 09:23

The current Versa isn't nearly as bad as the previous gen.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Collin
12/21/2013 at 09:37

The Smart ForTwo is definitely a terrible car.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Collin
12/21/2013 at 09:59

You have affirmed so many of my own ignorant prejudices in such a delightful way. You also challenged me with some rhetorical judo into believing that the X6M might have a reason to exist.
Great work!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:31

The FourTwo could be a neat little citycar.

But that transmission. Why Smart? Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy did you ever think an automated-clutch-pedaless-manual-gearbox was a good idea?

My wife test drove one. It was the single most frustrating ride I've ever been party to. Even more so than trying to teach her to drive a manual.

fintail > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:33

Spotted an X6M sitting at the local dealer not long ago. The ~105K pricetag and complete douchey uselesness makes it a perfect choice for the investor visa criminal or hardworking selfmade Horatio Alger FIRE crook who wants to drive without ever being expected to use turn signals.

The trunkback Versa is perhaps the most uncomfortable looking design on the NA market, the proportions are off.

DollaMoneyAve > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:36

I'm not sure why the X6M is on your "best" list, when the description you gave should put it on the "worst" side. Having driven the X6, it doesn't need more power, it needs better visibility and ride quality, along with off-road capability and interior space as you mentioned.

MylesD > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:36

Nicely done. I live in Philly and find myself seeing an oddly large amount of X6 in the area...I might even like them in some way now.

I've driven a current gen Sentra CVT and its not awful, but it ain't special. I can only compare that CVT to a Prius with the hsd/CVT thingy they have going on. Not necessarily even, but the Nissan CVT wins.

Nick Parente > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:37

Something tells me that it will also take a long time before the repairs on my 540i surpass the price difference between the country's cheapest car and what I paid for mine.

You'd be surprised. I was just quoted $4,500 for a timing chain job on my '00.

Cé hé sin > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/21/2013 at 10:41

I've driven a Smart. Surprise, surprise, the notorious automated gearbox was absolutely fine. Yes, really. Most of the time it does its job better than a human would do.
Another surprise: I could comfortably do (ok, reasonably comfortably) 145 kmh if the need arose. Admittedly if you put your foot to the floor gear changes are noticeable but it's the same in a manual.

mathiassssss > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:43

You like the X6M? Long live mother Russia!

sunny le > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:44

My roomate's aunt makes $83 an hour on the laptop. She has been fired from work for six months

but last month her income was $18472 just working on the laptop for a few hours

Read more on this web site http://www.Cash29.com

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Cé hé sin
12/21/2013 at 10:45

Nope.

Gearbox is utter garbage.

Either an actual auto or manual would be much better. I'm the human, I get to decide when I want to change gear. Or don't let me decide at all. This vague and half-assed in-between where I tell the gearbox I want to change gear and it does so when it decides it wants to can burn in a fire.

And the US should get the diesel as well.

Cé hé sin > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/21/2013 at 10:54

I've also driven Citroën C3 and a Peugeot 107 with automated manuals. The Smart was the best. Admittedly I just put it in the equivalent of D and left it to get on with it. The Citroën had paddle thingies which weren't worth the bother.

You wouldn't like a diesel Smart.

ranwhenparked > Collin
12/21/2013 at 10:56

I find it hard to be quite so down on the Versa. The words "cheapest car" used to mean plastics with skin-tearing seams, rust, and 0-60 measured in full minutes. These days, the Versa is actually a fairly decent car for the money. I would never buy one, but if I got it as a loaner or a rental, I wouldn't be in agony.

Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:02

The X6M's logic also excuses this car:

Kinja'd!!!

Sometimes when no one wants something, it's for a good reason.

Zachary B > Cé hé sin
12/21/2013 at 11:10

I have driven one and it shifted like I had a 9 year old kid in the passenger seat doing the clutch/shifting. The owner paid like $15k for it. My wife paid 13K back in '05 for her '01 TDi Beetle and it gets better MPG, has leather, heated seats a 6-disc changer, a back seat, isn't scary on the interstate and stands a much better chance in an accident with the full-size SUVs and trucks that permeate the midwest. And it also does better in the snow. I do not get the Smart at all. In Europe or maybe NYC yes, anywhere else in the US. No.

Musabasjoo > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:14

Nonsense

Learn how to drive it and the Smart is safe, fun, smooth, economical.

Musabasjoo > Musabasjoo
12/21/2013 at 11:15

I have a motorcycle, a little longer than the car, more vulnerable to idiots, great unless it snows

drivingmsdaisycrazy > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:19

I live in Phoenix, and I live ten minutes from my office. I would daily drive the shit out of the Morgan. I'd need a car with a roof about 25 days a year, and I'd keep my Z4 coupe for that.

suss6052 > The Transporter
12/21/2013 at 11:22

Having driven the Versa with the CVT it was awful, the brakes were terrible, and the car felt flimsy and smelled strongly of cleaning products. It was a rental car, but I can't imagine the retail version being much better to drive. I was just glad to give it back and pick my car back up from the dealer after it's service.

The car droned on and on, it got poor gas mileage, and it didn't move unless it was revved to 5k and holding. It got worse mileage than my 252 HP/270 lb-ft torque 2.0 L GTDI engine in a 3223-3300 or so lb Focus ST in the day I drove it to work and around town.

The Old Man from Scene 24 > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:25

The Morgan is probably the WORST car currently for sale. Why?

It's a tub with three wheels. It's powered by a V Twin that sits completely in front of the body. It has no roof. It's an anachronism older than a WWII fighter plane. Doug Demuro refuses to buy one. You would lose an arm and a leg if (when?) you crashed it.

Besides, it costs $60K, for which I would buy a new motorcycle, PLUS a nicely restored classic convertible and still have enough left over for a trip to the Bahamas this winter.

UncleWalty > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:27

I'm a total Audi and VAG fanboy, but must say I love to see you giving the X6M the props it deserves. I don't understand all of the hate toward what is undeniably an incredible vehicle. A total BEAST.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:31

I've driven quite a few X6M's, and let me tell you:

Not fast

Not comfortable

Hard to see out of

xDrive sucks

Auto trans sucks

Only 4 seats

No trunk space

Overall the X5M is much better, but if you had 1/2 a brain you'd buy an M5 because it has the same engine, weighs less, same number of seats, and comes with a proper manual transmission.

Also no xDrive, which is terrible.

The Biebster's got a P71 (Formerly not Justin Bieber) > Cé hé sin
12/21/2013 at 11:31

It's nice to hear an opinion from someone who has actually driven a smart.

ThatWillBuffOut > Collin
12/21/2013 at 11:33

I bought a new Versa. I don't think your assumption that it is so bad is warranted. I don't know what MPGs you are getting, but it could very well be half of what the Versa gets. And you have to (I think) put premium in it. That alone can be quite the expense. Also many of the parts are cheaper. Tires, wheels, brakes, oil changes, things like that. There could have been better options for me to buy, but when my taller friends get in the back, the first thing they have said is, "Wow. I have leg room!". That there is one of the main reasons I got it.

JakeP8 > Collin
12/21/2013 at 12:20

Not only does no one need the X6M, but nobody buys it. Few years back we were leasing a new car and I asked the dealer about the X6M out of curiosity. He said that in the six months since they had gotten it, zero sold. In Manhattan.

Satish Kondapavulur > Collin
12/21/2013 at 12:24

Repairs on your 540i will catch up to the price difference of the Versa within five years. Trust me.

Mercedes Streeter > The Biebster's got a P71 (Formerly not Justin Bieber)
12/21/2013 at 12:41

You ask, you shall receive. I thought this entire article was a joke. The author is grading cars they haven't even driven, so it's impossible for them to even form a solid, reliable opinion!

That's like saying Chicago style deep dish pizza is awful when you've only had New York style hand tossed.

Anyway, I've been researching the smart brand since 2008 and got my own fortwo passion coupe (yes, all lowercase) in March 2012. I got it with 10 miles on the odo and as of today, it has 37,000 miles.

Honestly, smart really deserves more credit than people (don't) give.

The fortwo is NOT an economy car. It wasn't built to get a million miles to the gallon or cost under $10,000. It IS a city car. It's a car for people who would otherwise hail a cab, ride a bike, or take the metro. It's designed to excel IN the city, which is something Americans just don't understand.

The transmission is not as bad as everyone says. It's not the slippery smooth dual clutches German cars usually have, but it's more like the slightly rougher manuals from the 90's.

Handling does kinda suck, but wide tyres turn it into an entirely different animal.

It also accelerates slow. It's not going to win any races but you'll have no problem keeping up with and passing traffic. It'll even climb mountains pretty well.

The EPA underrated the mileage. I get a consistent 42-49 MPG and I drive in a mostly city environment.

Of course it consistently gets battered by people who have NEVER even sat behind the wheel of one let alone owned one.

Want to see a fair evaluation of the fortwo, read a review from a European magazine.

Mercedes Streeter > Cé hé sin
12/21/2013 at 12:43

As always, the majority of smart trash talkers haven't even driven one before. I am not surprised. I cannot agree with your post any more!

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > Collin
12/21/2013 at 12:43

As uncool as the Fortwo may or may not be, I always thought it'd be fun to photograph such a small vehicle, just for the different locations you could get it into.

Mercedes Streeter > Collin
12/21/2013 at 12:45

I thought this entire article was a joke. The author is grading cars they haven't even driven, so it's impossible for them to even form a solid, reliable opinion!

That's like saying Chicago style deep dish pizza is awful when you've only had New York style hand tossed.

Anyway, I enjoyed some good laughs from this copy and paste piece. :)

ConnorW > ThatWillBuffOut
12/21/2013 at 12:51

That is one of the saddest things I've ever read.

Mercedes Streeter > The Old Man from Scene 24
12/21/2013 at 12:51

But bro'! It's got three wheels and looks really old!!!

Can't agree more with your post. It's a niche vehicle with absolutely zero practicality. It doesn't handle good, it doesn't ride good, and as we learned from Top Gear, it's also unbearably loud, slow, and makes a dreadful daily driver.

That said, I'd buy one to have as an awesome summer cruiser, but not at that cost!

DCCARGEEK > Collin
12/21/2013 at 13:03

"aspiring automotive journalist" - Why do you want to be an auto journalist?

dave > Collin
12/21/2013 at 13:05

I know someone who had a Versa as a rental. She said it was the worst car ever. It was slow uncomfortable and had horrible HVAC performance

DCCARGEEK > Collin
12/21/2013 at 13:07

Kinja'd!!!

Comparing an economy subcompact to a used German sedan makes zero sense.

Look, if you want to write about cars and automakers aren't handing them over to you, go to a dealer and drive a few.

You can't just come in here half-cocked saying CVT sucks because the internet says it does.

Musabasjoo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/21/2013 at 13:34

It is a manual

Shift if you like

The clutch, however, is automated

Bytemite > ranwhenparked
12/21/2013 at 13:44

He doesn't know what he's talking about. He thinks the Mazda6 is the best thing since sliced bread because lots of Jalops tend to extend their love for Miatas by seeing the whole Mazda's line-up through rose-tinted glasses.

BIGBLOCK472 - wide and bizarre > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 13:52

I find newer CVTs to be perfectly acceptable transmissions. I'd rather drive a CVT than a car with any fewer than six forward gears (Wrangler excluded).

But I agree... One cannot deride CVTs without having driven one. Or several.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 13:55

So do you like your Versa or...?

DCCARGEEK > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
12/21/2013 at 14:02

I would never own one, but I'm not the traditional economy car buyer. If you want to say the Versa isn't any good you have to:

1. Drive the Versa

2. Drive cars that compete with the Versa

3. Think like a economy car buyer

Personally I'm not a incredibly excited with many of Nissan's newest products as most seem to sell on price point alone, but if that is what buyers put first (in most studies it's actually second or third) then the car is right for them. Again, my point was you can't say "well for the same money I could XXXXXXX."

We might as well have "For $30,000 I could make a Civic out run a C7" conversation.

CarBastard > Collin
12/21/2013 at 14:34

Disagree on the X6M.

The fact that a car is nonsensical doesn't make it necessarily any good. By that measure, that hideous Nissan Murano Crosswhateverthefuck convertible would have TVR-esque levels of awesomeness. Or that terrifying mix-match of cars sewn and welded together that popped on Jalopnik some time ago. And yet they don't. The X6M not only is stupid and nonsensical, it's a vulgar case of "Jack of all trades, slightly competent for none" that stains the heritage of the M division bought mostly by people that only care about it being big and expensive because status symbol.

Although, I must admit, my opinion of it is very rooted on opinion I have of the kind of owners of such a car where I live. And, yes, completely spot-on about the Morgan!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Musabasjoo
12/21/2013 at 14:39

I know.

It still sucks.

I know how to drive a manual, I want a clutch pedal.

Collin > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 14:41

This post wasn't really meant to be taken seriously. With all the serious lists being made, I thought it would be funny to make one that was tongue-in-cheek and a little bit ridiculous.

Collin > Mercedes Streeter
12/21/2013 at 14:42

Yep, it definitely wasn't meant to be taken seriously. Perhaps including the "aspiring auto journalist bit" mislead people.

Cé hé sin > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/21/2013 at 14:43

You hear a lot of hate stories about automated manual transmissions and in my experience they're all fine.
You hear the same hate about AMTs in buses and in my (passenger) experience they're fine too. I've been in Volvo buses thus equipped and unless going through heavy traffic where you notice that there's a certain amount of transmission shunt they were indistinguishable from the ZF full automatics that are usually used on public service vehicles.

Collin > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 14:50

I struggled with how to word that, but I also didn't expect this post to get front paged either. Something about not being an established journalist would probably have played better.

That said, I've had a great opportunity to start writing weekly posts for The Smoking Tire, and so far it's been extremely enjoyable. I know it's a rough business in a very niche market, but it seems foolish not to pursue opportunities that are presented to me. Matt thinks I'm talented, and I'm having fun with it, so for now at least, that and the occasional Oppo post are what I'm putting my spare time into.

If it works out, then that's awesome, but if not, at least I gave it a shot when I had the chance.

Collin > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
12/21/2013 at 14:51

I'm glad I could affirm your ignorant views with my own uninformed ones. Hive minds think alike!

Collin > ranwhenparked
12/21/2013 at 14:55

Don't you bring your sensible talk into this biased and intentionally uninformed discussion. This is the internet!

Collin > E30Joe drives a Subaru
12/21/2013 at 14:57

I will concede all your points, but they only serve to reinforce the fact that the X6M isn't really a vehicle. It doesn't serve a purpose other than just to exist and be awesome. It's art in car form. Dare I say high art?

Collin > DollaMoneyAve
12/21/2013 at 14:58

Who needs visibility when you have more than 500 horsepower to go forward with?

Collin > Satish Kondapavulur
12/21/2013 at 14:59

Let's be honest here. I could probably buy a used Versa for the cost of what it's going to take to replace my tires.

DCCARGEEK > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:00

Awesome. Sounds like you well on to having your foot in the door.

I at one point aspired to write in the automotive world, but I did so at such a late point in my career that I could never afford to be a full-time writer in the true sense of the term. Also, because I'm not 'in the bizz' I won't even pretend to give you any advice on the matter only to say that in my time playing on the sidelines I've enjoyed it, but I don't think I have what it takes to do it for a living.
Best of luck to you!

Also: GET OUT AND DRIVE CARS! Don't wait for the automakers to deliver you stuff. Just go to a dealer. That's what I did to get a feel for certain cars even though I wasn't writing reviews.

Collin > drivingmsdaisycrazy
12/21/2013 at 15:01

Just think of all the awesome fighter jet games you could play in your head on the way to work. If that doesn't liven up a commute, then I don't know what will.

DCCARGEEK > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:01

Then you have to up your level of cynicism ;) Think The Onion.

Collin > JakeP8
12/21/2013 at 15:02

I guess Manhattanites just aren't cool enough to handle the awesomeness of the X6M.

Collin > Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST
12/21/2013 at 15:04

Unless no one wants the X6M. Then it's for a bad reason...like needing a vehicle that can seat 5 or actually haul cargo.

Collin > dave
12/21/2013 at 15:05

If that's not proof that my preconceived notions were entirely justified, then I don't know what is.

Collin > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 15:12

Sadly, even The Onion gets taken seriously sometimes. It was probably a mistake to include the Mazda6 though, since it's actually a widely praised and desirable car.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:17

Kinda think it's ugly.

I like the wheels though. Basically the car is a middle finger to practicality.

JakeP8 > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:18

I guess that must be it

Collin > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 15:18

Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. I'm lucky enough that I'm starting out at a time when I can still support myself on a waiter's salary, so any money that I make doing freelance writing is just extra beer money or fancier dates with my girlfriend.

Now that I've actually gotten a toe in the door, I should do a lot more test driving. I got to do a Cadillac event at Road Atlanta a few months back, and that was awesome. The CTS-V was a blast, even on a wet track. Sure you can't see out of it, but the coupe version had me hooked.

Collin > E30Joe drives a Subaru
12/21/2013 at 15:21

Maybe it's cubism in car form. After all, cubism is ugly, and most people hate it. Sound familiar?

DollaMoneyAve > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:28

For changing lanes when the car in front of you doesn't have 500 horsepower.

Obruni > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:33

the Brabus Smart got my hopes up for the brand in the US. And then it was released without the engine upgrades (25% power boost in euro-spec).

why?!

Collin > DollaMoneyAve
12/21/2013 at 15:40

Isn't that what the horn is for?

DCCARGEEK > Collin
12/21/2013 at 15:55

I've owned two Vs. Fun cars, but batshit fun once you toss on a few mods and tune 'em

tellmewhoareyou > dave
12/21/2013 at 16:05

I drove one over 300 miles. Some of it was city, most was highway, but there was one mountain road with some nice corners. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. It wasn't as fast as my truck or Honda, but it wasn't as slow as my slushbox Corolla. It got 43 MPG, which is twice the Toyota and four times the truck. Suspension want as bad as I expected, AC worked great, and the sound system was on par with any factory stereo I've heard (so it sounded like shit). Exactly three times better than the 2013 Accord I test drove, adjusting for price, but exactly 1/64 as good as my $1200 1993 Accord, once again adjusted. TL;DR: apples and oranges are my favorite fruits.

MugarKnifeScience > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 16:22

I can't speak for the current gen Versa. I do own the 2007 hatchback. There is an obscene amount of room inside of it, the steering isn't numb, and it doesn't burn through fuel. The I4 is has is pretty (read: really) weak, but with enough dirt/snow/handbrake you can have mildly amusing car that provides excellent utility. The car gets shit on around here pretty often (for some valid points), but at least it isn't a freaking Camry.

But yeah, that's just, like, my unsolicited opinion, man.

Done with Kinja > Collin
12/21/2013 at 16:29

Ah, the Morgan Three Wheeler... It just might be my ultimate dream car!

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Collin
12/21/2013 at 16:36

That's a good enough explanation for me.

ccc40821 > Collin
12/21/2013 at 16:44

I'll take any of my motorcycles over a Smart car. Still like the little good looking bugger, mediocre mechanicals notwithstanding.

DollaMoneyAve > Collin
12/21/2013 at 16:47

Yes, very true, along with high beams. Besides, who needs visibility when you don't look before changing lanes anyway?

Beju > DollaMoneyAve
12/21/2013 at 17:16

See, BMW knows the bro/rapper/d-bag buyers of their trucklet/smushed wagon/hot-rod thingamajig!

Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST > Collin
12/21/2013 at 19:20

Hauling cargo or needing to seat 5 is a bad reason to eschew the X6M? What would be a good reason, then?

tinfoilinplasticwrap > Collin
12/21/2013 at 19:31

X6 is hardly a desirable car to drive. It looks like a giant cockroach.

Collin > Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST
12/21/2013 at 21:50

Being an accountant named Kevin.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DCCARGEEK
12/21/2013 at 22:00

I've driven one, I did not like it. I would much rather have any Honda, Toyota, or Volkswagen product. None of these people are paying cash, a few extra bucks a month isn't the end of the world to them (although it might be close)...for me its worth it. To them, probably not. They don't care. They see cars as boring and stupid anyway, so buying a boring and stupid car to them, I guess, is perfectly normal. I get what you're saying.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > MugarKnifeScience
12/21/2013 at 22:24

Lol the Lebowski reference at the end was so perfect

Ben C > DCCARGEEK
12/22/2013 at 00:20

Why wouldn't you? It's a fucking awesome job!

Ben C > Collin
12/22/2013 at 00:21

Advice: Get your work out there. Get noticed by a big publication/website.

You're on the right track.

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > Collin
12/22/2013 at 00:39

All I learned from the comments is that reading isn't a strong suit for folks.

Cheers on making FP, jeers on having to respond to some real winners.

Collin > Ben C
12/22/2013 at 00:51

Thanks. I really appreciate the advice. As more of my stuff gets published on TST, it can only open up more opportunities for me. I think the next one's going up on Monday.

Collin > King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider
12/22/2013 at 01:11

Luckily Ballaban got that it wasn't supposed to be a serious post. Thanks for the support though. I really do appreciate it.

yung bramblepelt > Mercedes Streeter
12/22/2013 at 01:12

Yeah, 60K is ridiculous money for what amounts to a motorycle with 3 wheels. But if they were 10k? I bet there'd be quite a few in garages around this country (and a lot of related deaths).

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Collin
12/22/2013 at 01:37

And the great thing was you were so snarky and clever that it made me feel smart for agreeing with you. Yay pride-triggered endorphins!

Kookanoodles > Collin
12/22/2013 at 06:56

Very fun article, keep it up !

heeltoehero > DCCARGEEK
12/22/2013 at 10:31

You obviously missed the entire point of this piece.

Musabasjoo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/22/2013 at 10:34

I drive to work

I would love to bomb around the Nurburgring all day but I live in Vancouver traffic, and this is a fabulous car for that. It is also good on the highway. It is expensive to buy but depreciation is low.

I may buy a Macan down the road, but a Smart car is a good way to get around.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Musabasjoo
12/22/2013 at 10:38

I drive to work too.

I think you'll find the vast majority of people aslo drive to work.

I also drive a 6-speed manual car to work. In traffic.

I'm glad you like the Smart. I do not. It could be good. It needs a clutch pedal, or an actual automatic.

heeltoehero > Collin
12/22/2013 at 10:39

As a die-hard three pedal supporter, I really can't say that I hate CVTs. I've only ever driven them in cars that were appliances anyways and I generally drive those cars like appliances. I had one in a rental Murano when I went skiing in Utah a few years ago that was inobtrusive. I didn't notice it until about half an hour into our trip from the airport to Park City, and it in no way affected my highway driving or the interesting drive down a mountain pass from a snowmobile excursion in what had to be 5 inches of powder over at least 3 inches of packed snow. My girlfriend's Legacy has a CVT now too, and it honestly doesn't offend me at all. It's a 173hp midsized sedan. It's never going to light anyone's fire. I generally drive it calmly, as it's a nice, comfortable break from my Mustang. The CVT is perfect for people who simply need to get from point A to point B. You press the go-pedal and it goes. And contrary to what most people here believe, there's really nothing wrong with those people.

DCCARGEEK > heeltoehero
12/22/2013 at 10:52

I know, right?

Musabasjoo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/22/2013 at 12:31

If a clutch is such a big deal why don't more Ferrai's have one?

The Smart cabriolet is a blast: the cheapest convertible I would want to drive.

An automatic would be terrible. It has 70 horsepower.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Musabasjoo
12/22/2013 at 13:01

Right, because Ferrari is the end-all be-all of cars.

I do not like the transmission in the Smart. Nothing you say will convince me otherswise.

You happen to like the Smart as is. Fine. Good for you.

Drop it.

Musabasjoo > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
12/22/2013 at 13:03

no.

you must like it or I will stamp my feet.

I don't like it that much.

I much preferred my Alfa Romeo Guilia, but it wasn't so reliable.

Musabasjoo > Musabasjoo
12/22/2013 at 13:14

yes, musa. You are perceptive. The gearbox is the best possible option for everyone.

Learning how to drive it made me like it much better. It is smooth as a Bentley if you catch on as to how it operates.

Dave on bass > Cé hé sin
12/22/2013 at 16:06

I got a ForTwo as a loaner once from a MB dealership, where my also-oft-maligned C230 Coupe was in for service. I thought it was nicer than expected inside - heated leather and all that - but even I noticed the transmission was bad. I have nothing against autoclutch transmissions, but the one in the Smart takes a half-hour to change gears. Not fun, smooth or confident.

RazorGP > DCCARGEEK
12/23/2013 at 16:38

Well I drove the Versa then drove the Fit then a Fiesta. Liked the Fiesta the best for driving. It felt planted and had enough speed in the non ST version to make me want to try that model. The Fit has some nice storage bins hidden about it. It had a good feel to it but felt a bit slow after driving the Fiesta. The Versa however wanted to rubber-band around on the CVT and never really settle down even with the gas peddle not moving or speed changing. No cruse control to try so a steady foot and no hills to interfere with made this more apparent. ?The steering was numb and the car was boring. No real interest inside or any storage bins to hide away stuff accessible from the drivers seat.