What's the most European car you can buy in the States?

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 09/29/2015 at 09:12 • Filed to: None

2

35

No, I don’t necessarily mean an actual car from Europe. I mean one that fits in perfectly among European traffic and, consequently, looks out of place across the pond.

I nominate the Suzuki Aerio, both in sedan and five-door variants. A very close second is the Hyundai Elantra hatchback:

I’m not really sure why.

Also, I promise I’m done asking questions now. Two in a row is all I’ll give you today.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:14

13

Smart Fortwo

Ash78, voting early and often > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:18

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I would have said Kia Rondo, but it’s discontinued, so I’m going with Fiat 500L. Both vehicles are so focused on ugly practicality, they look like they could only be sold somewhere that function often takes a huge priority over form.

Leon711 > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:19

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Counter question, what’s the most European car that should be sold in the states?

Dacia Sandero.

Patrick Nichols > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:19

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It’s probably pretty close between the 500 and the Honda Fit for brand new, with buses and train (cars) being a close second.

jariten1781 > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:22

5

B-class

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:23

4

Fiat 500

Hiroku > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:25

3

This, with a 1.9 TDI.

The diesel hatchback is THE European vehicle and this is the best example. These are everywhere you look in Europe, where they have a reputation for build quality and reliability (which, ironically, is the polar opposite on their reputation across the pond. Go figure.)

Punk_Girl_98 > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:26

1

Alfa Romeo coupe

Scary__goongala! > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:29

1

The Morgan threewheeler. It’s considered a car right? I don’t think an “American” car company would ever put something like that into production.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > jariten1781 09/29/2015 at 09:33

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I didn’t realize these were sold here, good choice. If this question included Canada, there are so many cars that would fit, but the A-class stands out like a sore thumb.

RazoE > jariten1781 09/29/2015 at 09:35

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I’ve only seen those with hydrogen power. Do they make a regular gas version for the states?

jariten1781 > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 09/29/2015 at 09:36

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Saw one on the road and thought it was a diplomat's car. Went and looked it up...yep, you can get a B-class in America, only in electric though for some reason.

Justin Hughes > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 09/29/2015 at 09:41

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Came here to say this.

jariten1781 > RazoE 09/29/2015 at 09:42

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Battery electric is available, didn’t know there was a hydrogen one as well.

Gas and diesel are not for some reason.

Leon711 > Hiroku 09/29/2015 at 09:43

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They aren’t especially unreliable or reliable in experience they seem average. Perhaps it’s differences in manufacturing between puebla and wolfsburg.

Margin Of Error > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 09/29/2015 at 09:47

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No A class in Canada

We got the previous gen B class however

Flavien Vidal > Leon711 09/29/2015 at 09:49

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Aka the new most rented in America lol... It would certainly replace the Kia whatever there is all over the place... :)

davedave1111 > Ash78, voting early and often 09/29/2015 at 09:51

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The 500L is an ironic pick, since it was primarily designed for the US market.

ly2v8-Brian > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:52

1

So small and dull. Got it.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:54

1

Uh...Is this even a question? No, you still can’t buy one new.

Baeromez > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:57

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Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 09:59

2

PS9 > Leon711 09/29/2015 at 09:59

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Were not basic enough for the Sandero. We don’t deserve her.

Leon711 > Flavien Vidal 09/29/2015 at 10:00

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Proven Renault technology in a spacious (for its size) package.

Flavien Vidal > Leon711 09/29/2015 at 10:02

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Yes the perfect cheap ass rental car in north america... boring as fuck, but somehow practical

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 10:08

2

I’m tempted to say my own car (not pictured)

The number of people who ask me if thats really a Volvo is crazy. Its a two door non boxy Volvo. This isn’t the normal wagon people think of over here. The whole car is very European in styling.

punkgoose17 > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 10:09

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1987 Citroen CX 25 Gti

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/5214459765…

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 10:30

1

Easy.

RazoE > jariten1781 09/29/2015 at 10:41

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Yeah, They have big “F-Cell” stickers down the side.

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/benz/…

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 09/29/2015 at 11:10

1

And the thing only more Euro than that is the Smart CDi that was sold in Canada before the Americanized gasoline version was forced on us Canadians.

Bengal55 > Rainbow 09/29/2015 at 12:02

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Ram ProMaster (aka Fiat Ducato)

and as jariten1781 mentioned,
Mercedes B-Class (Electric Drive shown)

And as far as older vehicles get, Hyundai Elantra Touring:

willkinton247 > Leon711 09/29/2015 at 16:52

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I saw one of those on the beltway the other day, and it didn’t even have diplomat plates!

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 09/29/2015 at 17:06

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Amen! But which engine? The 2.pollution or the 1.8T?

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 09/29/2015 at 17:32

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TDI

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Margin Of Error 09/29/2015 at 19:20

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That’s probably what I’m thinking of. I ended up behind one on a ferry earlier this year and all I could remember was that it didn’t look like something you’d see on this continent.