My own Question of the Day

"youshiftem" (torinosport302)
04/22/2014 at 12:32 • Filed to: None

I've always had big, comfortable powerful cars which is usually fairly easy to find for reasonable prices. What if I wanted to keep the same luxurious feel and power but in a smaller car for the city? Most car makers seem to assume if you want a small car, you also don't mind if its a little cheaper in every other way.

What cars can you think of (available in north america and made in the last 5 or 6 years) that are small in size and not cheap feeling? The BMW 1-series is pretty nice, are there any others? Pretend money is no object.

DISCUSSION (26)

Brian Silvestro > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:33

The new A3 seems to have a bunch of stuff from the A8, and I've sat in it, it's very nice inside.

jkm7680 > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:34

Audi S4 B5-7. Rs4 also.

Not much bigger than your average compact sedan.

avens > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:35

Is the audi A1 quattro there? Any chances about the new S1?

TJDMAX > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:37

Kinja'd!!!

golf gti w12!!!!!

Sorry that isnt actually helpful...

But i would suggest hat you could look at Rs4's, S4's, M3's, M1, things of that nature. Unfortunately there is not 400hp monster that is the size of a GTI. And i guess size is relative. I just bought an Audi S4 and i consider that small because my daily driver (still own it) was a 2500hd Chevy truck. So the S4 is much smaller and easier to navigate compared to what i'm used to.

youshiftem > TJDMAX
04/22/2014 at 12:41

Looking for smaller than the A4. I would probably go for that W12, just tell me who to pay!

deekster_caddy > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:46

I'm very satisfied with our '08 Passat Wagon. Front seats are very comfortable, sized right. (I'm 6'4"). The back seat is a little tight with 3 but plenty roomy for 2. The 2.0 Turbo is very fun to drive with a 6 speed MT. It won't win the 1/4 mile but I've never had a problem making a pass where I want to. It handles great and with a tire upgrade benefits quite nicely. FWD, snow tires make it unstoppable in the winter. We were much more secure in a snowstorm than our in-law's AWD minivan (drove together for about 1000 miles on a trip last winter).

It's actually quite fun to drive, handles solid and predictable, and when you drop down a couple gears and stomp on it the thing can move out. Last weekend drove it about 650 miles with 5 people and we were either stopped or going 80 or so, and averaged 29 MPG. If I just cruise at 70-75 it easily beats the rated 30 MPG. I've gotten 34 on a long trip before. With 95K on it, we've only had to do the rear pads and one CV boot. Anything else that came up was under warranty. Still on the original front pads! I think we will be keeping it for another 5 years or so at least. We bought it new. I was very worried about longevity and electrical gremlins etc because VW, but it's been really really solid.

TJDMAX > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:46

Hahaha i don't even think you would want it even if it existed. Top gear reviewed it back in 2010 and it was awful lol.

You can also think about the Focus St. I was looking at one for a while before finding my ideal S4. It has a really nice interior not just for a Ford but in general I think. Its decent on power and its definitely a fun car to drive.

You could wait for the S3 to come out, should have 300hp or so and is slightly smaller than the A4/S4.

Party-vi > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:49

CLA45 AMG (but, it's a cheap AMG so be wary), Audi S3 (eventually this will be a thing), VW Golf R, I'm not sure what else is out there.

youshiftem > deekster_caddy
04/22/2014 at 12:49

I've always liked those, but I'm talking smaller, compact size.

youshiftem > avens
04/22/2014 at 12:50

Nope.

deekster_caddy > youshiftem
04/22/2014 at 12:51

Ahh - somehow I focused on 'cheaper' not 'smaller'. Sorry about that. I'll defer to others on that. I don't like smaller cars because of my height. I fit well in my Volt but that's not quite 'city small' and only my kids can sit behind me in that.