Let’s Talk About Little Cars

by Kittie Beletic

This year I didn’t wait until my birthday. My neighbor just bought a Smart Car and let me drive it. COMPLETELY FUN. It could go anywhere, turn on a dime and was so quiet. My neighbor is a big guy and literally unfolds when he gets out of his car. When asked how he likes it, he answered with a grin, “I love my car”.

I got the bug.

Not a VW bug, but I did put it on the list. Having owned a beetle in the distant past, I was eager to drive a 2009. I took my own flower and the salesman allowed me to put it in the vase during the test drive. I don’t know if it was the nostalgia or the drive, but testing the latest bug brought thoughts of peace and love. It cornered and zippered along and found places to park anywhere I went.

Next on the list was a mini-cooper. Another neighbor parked one in her driveway but it only lasted 3 months. She has big dogs and I think it might have simply been overwhelming to have them breathing down her neck whenever the whole family went to her boyfriend’s house. I drove to the BMW dealership and found the cheeriest ‘coop’ on the lot. We tooled around the block a few times, then onto the highway. Neat. Petite. I felt a little cramped for some reason. You’re getting my opinion, now, but the combination of feeling the road and being so close to the roof brought on a little claustrophobia. My chariot was a 2009 upgrade ($27,450 and 29 mpg) and (roll bar, openometer gauge, $500 10-speaker mini hi-fi). The speakers and the gauges are beautiful to behold, the style is classic and I know this car would look good in anyone’s driveway!

Next stop, the Toyota Scion iQ. For this one, I had to go to Paris. Actually, I was already IN paris and although they wouldn’t let me drive it, they took me on quite a ride! It moves well (not as smooth as the Smart Car, surprisingly) and it doesn’t corner as well as the others. Still, the innards are convenient and pretty, and it makes a great commuter! All of that and 54 mpg … you would think it was a hybrid … don’t be fooled. It’s not! Coming to American in 2011 with some changes to fit life in the US, it is as cute as can be (and comes in every spectrum of the color wheel). This little button is not to be missed!

One more on my list: the Toyota Yaris. A pleasant drive, again, good for commuting. The Yaris has had a face-lift. It’s now a 5-door liftback but don’t think for a minute its power has been diminished! Toyota kept the 4-cylinder engine and it revs up to103-pounds of torque. It won’t compete with the big boys but it has no problem moving along the highway. In researching, I found the Yaris has a couple of recalls for the 2006-07 models and one for the 2009. Be sure to ask about them!

No matter how you line them up (you could do it on the sidewalk in front of your house), each one has proverbial pros and cons. In my estimation, this is truly a personal choice. If nothing else, go drive one and let yourself go! Intended for in-town commuting and parking, this round of little cars are tempting to collect. You could do it … if you have a two-car garage!

Kittie Beletic loves to drive. It’s amazing how many 3^rd grade boys can fit inside a 1971 VW beetle when they need a ride home from school. Try it, but take your earphones and noseplugs. Have a good story idea? Contact Kittie at kbeletic@gmail.com (Paris photos by Kittie Beletic/mini cooper, scion IQ, smart car. VW & Yaris photos complements of PRNewswire.com)