Subcompact Question

"Vimto" (smudgey) 04/11/2015 at 20:00 • Filed to: None

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Okay, before we get started, this post is entirely theoretical. As many of you know I have a 2013 Fusion, I'm more than happy with it, and I'm not car shopping at the moment. But some attributes have me doing some pondering.

Oppo, in your opinion, what is the best subcompact (or smaller) vehicle for lengthy road trips across the U.S.?

Being more specific, a small vehicle that is very efficient and well built (i.e. feels solid/quality) but doesn't really "isolate" you from your environment, i.e. doesn't have a great deal of sound deadening and has nice large windows. Has the creature comfort "essentials" like power windows but doesn't come loaded with technology, i.e. multiple LCDs, automatic climate, cameras, bluetooth and redundant controls, etc.

I ask this because I have owned two Versas and while they met some of those criteria, like being frugal with fuel and lacking creature comforts, they also felt very shoddily built and quintessentially 'cheap'. The carpet in the '12 sedan I had was literally made from the pubic hair of aging history teachers.

*EDIT: I just realized the Miata is a potential answer to this question. I'm adding the condition that the vehicle has to have a backseat, regardless of how useless it is.

MLGCarGuy > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 20:03

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The new Honda Fit or Ford Fiesta would be good choices for what you're looking for. They have quality interiors and decent features, but you can skip the tech on some trims.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 20:09

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Toyota Echos make very good road-trip cars.

VonBelmont > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 20:10

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Believe it or not, this is a subcompact

PS9 > VonBelmont 04/11/2015 at 20:11

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W12 and 5500 lb curb weight wrecks the 'good on gas' requirement though.

bob and john > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 20:15

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Would you consider a Audi A3 compact?

Our A3 TDI gets AWESOME gas milage, comfy and useable front and back seats, good storage, banging stereo, AC/heat, heated seats, and a couple of power outlets for your GPS and phone.

VonBelmont > PS9 04/11/2015 at 20:16

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It's a fucking Bentley. Screw the environment!

(Or Tesla swap?)

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 20:17

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Base model C30. Cloth seats, manual transmission, huge glass but still comfortable and solid.

Vimto > bob and john 04/11/2015 at 20:22

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I don't like leather, which is probably standard, but if it can had with cloth it'd be a possibility.

PS9 > VonBelmont 04/11/2015 at 20:23

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Telsas are around 5k lbs also, but that's because of the batteries, not the chassis. Sticking tesla stuff on a Conti would probably result in a curb weight that would rival a couple of F350s, and each charge would maybe bring you to your neighborhood walmart or so. You'd have to walk back or do a battery swap to have enough juice to get you home.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 04/11/2015 at 20:32

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Also, dat sound!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/11/2015 at 20:41

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T5 all the things!

Long Live the Longdoor > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/11/2015 at 21:11

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Mmm, that sounds awesome!

bob and john > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 21:14

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it is.

the main reason we went A3 TDI rather then Golf TDI is because the audis are assembled in germany. the golfs arent.

and the audi is also a little bit bigger on the inside. (another 6inchs in the trunck VS the golf)

The Compromiser > Vimto 04/11/2015 at 23:03

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