Chances are you won't find too many Ford Expeditions and Hummer H3s in cities like Seattle, San Francisco or Boston. That's because, while they can be pleasant to drive, they're a pain to park, and more difficult to maneuver around potholes, pedestrians and bicyclists.

 

The Audi A3 performs these tasks with ease. Because it moves well in tight spaces, handles well and is loaded with safety features that help to prevent accidents and help save you in a crash, it tops our list of best cars for city dwellers.

 

The Mazda3, MINI Cooper, Scion Xb and Honda Civic round out the top five.

 

More below:

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/434/best-cars-for-city-dwellers;_ylc=X3oDMTE5dXMzb2pxBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawNjaXR5LWR3ZWxsZXJz

"While small, the Mini Cooper is loaded with six airbags, rear parking sensors and a full range of brake, stability control and steering technology to make it more nimble."

 

Especially helpful for parallel parking the convertible - it has some obnoxious blind spots. Not so helpful when I walk around the car and my partner gets to joke that a "large object set off the sonar again" :roll:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/

 

The Smart Car.  I saw one driving around downtown Hamilton last week.  It looked very odd stopped at a red light next to a Dodge Ram.  Great concept, it works in Europe, but how long or will it catch on in American cities?...I doubt it will, but it is another option.

I'm thinking of buying a used car, but I've had the opportunity to test drove a Toyota Prius for a weekend and it was awesome.  The only negative was my legs were a little cramped at the dashboard but I'm used to that.

 

http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid

 

I want to buy an American car, but the American auto makers only offer hybrid trucks!

 

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/

 

The Smart Car.  I saw one driving around downtown Hamilton last week.  It looked very odd stopped at a red light next to a Dodge Ram.  Great concept, it works in Europe, but how long or will it catch on in American cities?...I doubt it will, but it is another option.

 

I live in a "car-lite" household (I was car-free before I cohabitated, my partner drives a Mini) but if for some odd reason I had to have a car, I'd strongly consider the Smart.

the Mini's are sooooooooo cute, but cramped!

MyTwoSense.... ya might want to look at the Honda Civic Hybrid... Made in Ohio.

MyTwoSense.... ya might want to look at the Honda Civic Hybrid... Made in Ohio.

I don't like Honda, for personal and business reasons.

In a US city If you absolutley must have a car and you don't have a family, the smart car is perfect.  If you have a family with 1 kid  Honda Fit is great since it has 4 doors can load a ton of crap in it. It's also easy on gas and a breeze to park.

The Toyota Matrix is a great family car for the city.

I recommend the Audi A3.  It is a great little car.

I recommend the Audi A3.  It is a great little car.

 

I love Audi.

 

But I don't want a new car, since I'm rarely going to drive it.  I really need to get a truck, since I'm always stopping to pick something up on the side of the road

If we could only get this model in the US.

 

 

Audi has followed their Volkswagen stablemates and added some special "e" series models to the their lineup in recent months. The "e" models are similar to VW's Bluemotion models in that they are specifically optimized for ultra-low CO2 emissions. Currently, the smallest such vehicle is the A3 TDI e equipped with a 1.9L diesel. The TDI e has modified gear ratios and engine calibrations along with the low rolling resistance tires. The A3 is rated at 52mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle with CO2 emissions of just 120g/km, low enough to avoid London's congestion charge. Motor Trend had a chance to put some miles on a A3 TDI e over in the UK and managed to achieve 44.3 mpg in a mix of fairly quick driving over 500 miles. They managed 50.5mpg over 50 miles on a very congested M25 motorway around London, topping the best they ever achieved with a Prius (47mpg). They also found the little German far more entertaining to drive than the Prius.

 

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/18/audi-adds-low-co-sub-2-sub-e-series-to-the-a3

 

"since I'm always stopping to pick something up on the side of the road"

 

You really should at least offer the guy a proper seat in the cab. :roll:

"since I'm always stopping to pick something up on the side of the road"

 

You really should at least offer the guy a proper seat in the cab. :roll:

 

LMAO!  I meant abandoned furniture nut!  :mrgreen:

 

You kids don't realize that 80-85% of the furniture in my house is stuff from off the street.  I've found some awesome stuff dumpster diving!

 

For example, the chairs pictured below, were being thrown out by a restaurant on northfield, that was going to remodel.  I thought with a little work these chair could be fabulous.  I stripped them, stained them three times reupholstered them and finally got them to match the table I bought at a garage sale Univ. Hts.  You'll never guess how much I paid for each of those chairs.

 

I consider somebody else's trash my treasure!

"I consider somebody else's trash my treasure!"

 

Again, I don't see what your dating life has to do with a "Best Cars for City Dwellers" thread - please get back on topic. ;-)

Those chairs look like they came out of a confessional.  Are you sure there wasn't a Catholic church next to that restaurant where you found those?

Those chairs look like they came out of a confessional.  Are you sure there wasn't a Catholic church next to that restaurant where you found those?

 

Nope!

I'll do the honors of getting this puppy back on topic....

 

Here ya go, the Tata Nano, a $2,500 car from India:

... yep ... the best always piss people off...

 

MyTwoSense.... ya might want to look at the Honda Civic Hybrid... Made in Ohio.

I don't like Honda, for personal and business reasons.

I love the new Civic; everyone says you can't go wrong with a Civic. They last forever, they're fuel efficient and they're good at retaining their value. That Audi Monte posted looks awesome.

... yep ... the best always piss people off...

 

MyTwoSense.... ya might want to look at the Honda Civic Hybrid... Made in Ohio.

I don't like Honda, for personal and business reasons.

 

I just don't like Honda.  I like sporty cars/coupes and I'm to big to get comfortable in a Honda.

I like my Ford Focus a lot. I have an '07 wagon for picking up stuff along the road ( :wink: ); 30mpg for mostly-city driving and close to 35mpg highway. It's peppy and agile in traffic, easy to park and it's roomy for a compact and has a comfortable ride. I was looking for a replacement for my Ranger pickup, and considering the price I wasn't expecting all that much when I decided to take a Focus for a test drive. I was very pleasantly surprised.

 

 

Ford has discontinued the station wagon, but for '08 they've kicked the styling up a notch on the sedan. Among the other Focus drivers I know, I haven't heard any complaints. Prices start around $15K, and you can get one pretty nicely equipped for <$20K.

I like my Ford Focus a lot. I have an '07 wagon for picking up stuff along the road ( :wink: );

Rub it in why don't you!  :-P  I guess this is the vehicle you use to dispose of the....

 

What do you kids think about the Murano, Edge or the MXK?

What do you kids think about the Murano, Edge or the MXK?

 

Overpriced, overpriced and really overpriced if you are referring to the MKX.

 

If I am going to pay luxury dollars, I want a luxury car and Audi just announced the new A4 Avant that is perfect for people stuff up:

 

 

Wagonistas, your chariot has arrived. After showing off the new-for-2009 A4 in Frankfurt, Audi has finally released the details about for its A4 Avant prior to its debut in Geneva next month.

 

The estate version of the A4 is nearly identical to the sedan from the B-pillar forward, but now features 50-cubic feet of cargo capacity out back. An optional power liftgate is available and the load floor is reversible if you happen to be toting a set of used wheels in the trunk and the mat is coated in brake dust. Overall, the Avant gains about five inches in length, but is almost ten-percent lighter than the outgoing model.

 

Although powerplant details are scarce, those of us in the States will be stuck with the 2.0-liter TFSI mill, while sedan buyers get a choice of either the four-cylinder or the 3.2-liter V6.

 

 

 

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/19/2009-audi-a4-avant-revealed-ahead-of-geneva/

 

Yeah but I don't want a "wagony-wagon".  I want something more chic, but economical.  Yet practical enough that when I'm pulling a chair, table, lamp or some other trash off a tree lawn, it fits in the car.

Well let me hold your hand to the Audi A3 or Volkswagen GTI.

I drive a VW GTI.  It is a little banged up right now, but it gets the job done.  5-Speed gets a little annoying while driving in the city, but that adds to the fun of it.  It is a small car, but there are smaller cars.  Sometimes you have to give and take, I'd rather have fun in my GTI than worrying about if my car is small enough for the city.  It semi's can drive in the city, then any car can. 

I don't want anything where my knees are in my chest. Or I have to move the drivers seat is so far back its appears to be the back seat.

Sit in one, and you will see that it is quite roomy unless you have a jacked up torso.  I  am six feet tall and fit into both cars with ease.

Sit in one, and you will see that it is quite roomy unless you have a jacked up torso.  I  am six feet tall and fit into both cars with ease.

I'm 6'4"

I will say the A3 and the VW GTI are both comfy enough for me (6'4", 205).  Long legs are no problem in either car.  However, if you are really insistent on not backing up the front seat far into the back of the car, well the only options are gas guzzling SUV's or mini vans... All those sedans and hatches require that someone our size put the front seat way back.

 

I will beg to differ on the lack of SUV's in Boston at least.  The Suburban is far too common there for a city that cramped (Same for Hummer/other giant monstrosities).  Most Boston city dwellers could care less about how gas sipping their car is because there are tons of public transit options and in the end, the car gets used very little.  But then again, Boston is also a city where people will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a deeded parking spot (I think the most expensive sale of a PARKING SPOT I saw was darn near a quarter million dollars)

I have a 5spd, VW beetle with a turbo diesel.  This is my ultimate urban vehicle.  My next purchase will be a vespa with a side car. 

I will say the A3 and the VW GTI are both comfy enough for me (6'4", 205).  Long legs are no problem in either car.  However, if you are really insistent on not backing up the front seat far into the back of the car, well the only options are gas guzzling SUV's or mini vans... All those sedans and hatches require that someone our size put the front seat way back.

 

 

Thanks my Alto brother!   Good to hear. 

 

I refuse to get an SUV or roll out in a caddy like my Dad!  I've never owned a new car and I'd like to buy a good used hatchback. 

 

I love all the new hybrids and that prius is soooooo quiet.  I love the miata and the mitsubishi spyder.  I know, why do I like small cars knowing they could be uncomfortable??  :oops: :oops:

 

Maybe I should try to find a AMC Pacer and bring it back in style!

The Prius is pretty fugly but they do offer a tax credit.  For fuel efficiently right now, you might want to look at a Volkswagen Jetta TDI, if you want a hatch with room, look at the A4 Avant or the Saab 9-3 Sportcombi.  Both those cars offer decent gas mileage, luxury and size without owning an SUV.

 

Here is the SAAB

 

Might also want to look at the Saturn Astra or Saturn Aura, both are based on their German cousins from Opel:

 

Saturn Astra

 

Saturan Aura

Those saturns are hideous.  I like the Prius, I can't believe you think it fugly.

 

that saab is sweet, Its not about luxury, its about function. Since I'm not an everyday driver.  My Mom, Dad or Brother drive my car more than I do.  My nephew will be 16 next year so I'll probably just give it to him so he can learn how to drive.  My Nissan is 14 years old now, but super low mileage and will probably only last 4/5 more years.

Well I do find it to be fugly, just look at it:

 

 

And...

 

 

According to an article posted on The Recorder Online by Chris Demorro, the Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid is not actually that efficient. "Their ultimate 'green car' is the source of some of the worst pollution in North America; it takes more combined energy per Prius to produce than a Hummer."

 

In order to fully understand this argument, you need to know the overall architecture of the Prius powertrain. The car consists of two engines, a 1.5L gas engine and an electric motor. The electric motor is capable of propelling the car up to 25mph and from there the gas engine kicks in. Therefore the car saves fuel by turning the gas engine off when it is idling and driving in traffic. The battery for the electric motor is recharged through the braking system.

 

When the current Prius was released for the 04' model year, Toyota boasted about the car's estimated 60 mpg in the city and 51mpg on the highway. Consumers ate this information up and flocked to Toyota dealers in droves. Soon after its release consumers began to complain about the fact that their cars were not achieving the claimed mpg. This was due to the out of date EPA tests that the government uses to estimate a car's mpg. (The new tests will be applied to 2008 models) In most real world applications the Prius only manages to achieve 45 mpg, which is not much higher than most subcompact economy cars (Aveo, Yaris, Scion).

 

That is the first main issue with the current Prius. Second is the issue with the actual production of the batteries for the hybrid cars. It is only slowly being revealed that the nickel batteries that hybrids use are not environmentally friendly. The nickel for the Prius is produced in Sudbury, Ontario. According to Demorro, " This plant has caused so much environmental damage to the surrounding environment that NASA has used the 'dead zone' around the plant to test moon rovers. The area around the plant is devoid of any life for miles." Toyota produces 1,000 tons annually. The production of the batteries does not end in Canada, the nickel is then sent off to a refinery in Europe and then off to China and finally it ends up in finished form in Japan. This in turn uses more energy to create the batteries since it involves many factories all over the world.

 

When you factor in all the energy it takes to drive and build a Prius it takes almost 50% more energy than a Hummer. In a study by CNW Marketing called "Dust to Dust", researchers discovered that the Prius costs and average of $3.25 per mile driven over a lifetime of 100,000 miles (the expected lifespan of a hybrid). On the other hand the Hummer costs $1.95 per mile over an expected 300,000 miles. Which means that the Hummer will last three times as long and use less energy than the Prius. ( I am not sure about the claim that the Hummer will last three times longer...)

 

This also doesn't take into account the problem with disposing of the used batteries. Most of the hybrids have not been on the market long enough to be disposed of yet, but when it does happen there are going to be more environmental implications.

 

Basically to sum this up, the Prius and all hybrids for that matter are not exactly what the public perceives them to be. Hybrids for the most part do not have huge gains in gas mileage over their gas powered counterparts. There is also a premium to buy a hybrid and there is a large chance that the premium will not be offset by the time you get rid of the car. According to Demorro, "It takes five years to offset the premium price of a Prius. Meaning, you have to wait 60 months to save any money over a non-hybrid car because of lower gas expenses." Then there are the issues with the batteries and their effect on the environment.

 

http://blog.leasetrader.com/archive/2007/08/23/Toyotas-Prius-is-Less-Efficient-and-Environmentally-Friendly-than-a.aspx

 

:wtf:  Now I feel guilty.  the Prius is just such a quiet car.

I worked at a Ford/BMW/VW dealer for a while and I'm with Monte about Audi or VW.  If you are looking for something small, but roomy, the new Rabbit is a pretty sweet car.  It's peppy, safe and they get OK gas milage.  The GTI is awesome too.. I love the Rabbit though, it's such a fun car.

^ I just wish it was still called a Golf like it is in the rest of the world.  If I owned one, the first thing I would do is take the bunny rabbit logo off the rear deck.

just look at my sig for my opinion on this topic...

just look at my sig for my opinion on this topic...

 

Hey, I've probably been riding the Shaker rapid longer than the majority of UO posters have been alive!  I'm a advocate of public transportation, but I do need a vehicle for off hours and to transport stuff.

 

http://www.mycitywheels.com/

That seems like a great program, have you ever used it?  If so, how was your experience?

It's wonderful, and it would be perfect for someone like MTS who would spend so much money on a car that would sit unused most of the time. Mind you, I don't use it as much now since my partner and I have similar schedules and he has a car. However, it's incredibly handy for someone like me who doesn't need a car for a daily commute and can get to the fleet without much hassle. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but for households where only one car is constantly used, it's a great alternative to a second car.

 

The last time I used it was a great example of how it can save money - I had a friend's wedding rehearsal to attend, but it was in Aurora - 25 miles southeast of Cleveland and without any convenient transit at the time of the rehearsal. Plus, my partner was busy with his family so getting a ride with him wasn't an option either. I could have rented a car from Enterprise/Hertz/etc. for around $120 for the whole weekend (at their weekend rate ~$30 per day, plus $15 a day in insurance since being car-free, I don't carry car insurance). That would have been a huge waste because I only needed the car for a few hours on Friday night. Instead, I went online to the CityWheels site, reserved a car (Scion Xb) for 4 hours at $8 per hour (which INCLUDES gas, insurance, etc.). The only hassle (and it was a minor one) is that because the cars are currently located in University Circle east of downtown, my partner dropped me off at the Rapid so I took that over to retrieve my car. I walked up to the lockbox (they now use keyfobs), got my key and off I went. I returned the car at 10pm, and my partner picked me up and I was billed ~$30.00 for the night.

 

Another case where CityWheels is a godsend for car-free people like me - I like to pick up stuff at Trader Joes (and other "better" groceries)  but they're mostly located in the 'burbs. Instead of paying a monthly car payment (I mean, that's at least $200), car insurance (even with a good record how much is that), and gas on a regular basis, I can use a CityWheels car once a month for "stock up" trips - and you can get a LOT of stuff in a Scion Xb. I know of some people that use the CityWheels Xb for trips to IKEA in Pittsburgh rather than rent a van for $$$.

 

 

So do the math - 12 CityWheels trips times $30.00 (a pop) vs. a year of car payments+insurance+gas+repairs/maintenance? Thanks, I'll stick with car-sharing any day!

It's a good idea but IMO that just doesn't work for probably the majority of people who live here.  I mean, running an errand here are there is one thing, but what about visiting family and friends, going to the doctor, dentist, specialists, attending theater, movies, other attractions, etc.  I found when I was without a car for over a year that my social life went to complete and total sh*te because I either had to ask for a ride from someone or quit going.  Going to the doctor became a major ordeal that could take half the day instead of one hour.  The only time I could see my family or friends was if they came to visit me or picked me up.  Most of the places people gather to meet for group dinners or where people live and such are just not on convenient public trans routes.  Even if I lived downtown, I couldn't easily get to meet my cop friends for shooting at the range in broadview heights, see my mother in lakewood, my friend in cleveland heights, my friends in parma heights, go to one of my favorite restaurants in north royalton, etc.  There is a long and ugly story about me trying to take the bus to a group dinner in the pouring rain.  Studying the maps, picking the bus that's supposed to go by the restaurant, but it didn't and I was out in a near tornado, drenched to the bone, huddled with some people in a Mr. Hero when we were almost blown into the road, calling someone to please drive down the street and get me and bring me back to the restaurant. When I had to work late, I couldn't take the bus home because it only ran once an hour and if I missed that hour by even a minute, I'd have to wait nearly TWO hours to get the bus. 

 

The year I was without a car here was the worst year I've had living in Cleveland.  I don't know if it's my lifestyle or what, but it just doesn't work for me.

It's obviously not for everyone, but for the people (like me) whose lives are basically centered on the area between Lakewood and Cleveland Heights, it's ideal. And like I said, if there's a household that has one car that's always in use and another that's only used once a month, CityWheels might be an alternative.

 

Here's my perspective; and maybe it is your lifestyle (and that's OKAY; it's different from mine but that doesn't make one better than the other - maybe mine is more transit-accessible, that's all):

 

- Work: Downtown.

- Visiting family: My family is two hours away, thus probably a better time to go with Enterprise.

- Visiting friends: A vast majority (90%) of my friends live within five or so miles of downtown - between Lakewood, Cleveland Heights and Old Brooklyn. If transit's not an option, it's not that far for them to pick me up and they know I'm good for either gas money or the first round. I'd offered to meet them in their 'hoods but they always seemed to prefer areas closer to the city. Usually when my friends suggest group dinners or outings, they're downtown, Ohio City, or Tremont. One time someone suggested PF Chang in Beachwood and the looks of death (from everyone, including me) ensured they never did that again - really, PF Chang vs. Siam Cafe? Is that even a question?

- Going to the doctor: My GP is at the Clinic, Main Campus.

- Dentist: Superior Dentists in the Leader Building.

- Specialists: Knock on wood, I haven't needed these but if I did, they're at Main Campus.

- Attending theater: Being car-free I've managed to get to Playhouse Square, Cleveland Playhouse, Liminis, etc.

- Movies: I'm not much of a movie-goer, but CityWheels would be perfect for a jaunt out to Crocker Park.

- Other attractions, etc.: Art Museum, West Side Market, MOCA, etc.

- Hairstylist: right off Clifton near the Cleveland/Lakewood border.

- Gym: Fitworks downtown.

- Bars... it's Cleveland, finding a bar is NEVER a problem :drunk:

 

And having met me, do you think I would allow myself to have a non-existent social life? I'm just saying it can be done - it's not always as convenient as I'd like it but it's worked for me, and the money I've saved has made me a lot happier. :-) If a car-sharing program or transit-oriented lifestyle won't work for you, that's fine - but with most people saying "it can't be done", "it won't work for anyone" - I'm simply sharing my experience that shows that it can. I'm not trying to evangelize and convert anyone but I'm not going to be silent when people try to write off the idea that car-free/transit-dependent lifestyles are even feasible in Cleveland. If people hear my story and say "yeah, that's nice but it's not for me", that's fine - but most people in Cleveland don't even consider stories like mine for a second.

It's wonderful, and it would be perfect for someone like MTS who would spend so much money on a car that would sit unused most of the time.

 

There a great idea, but bad for me.  Besides, I'm not going to buy a new car.

 

If I'm on the street and I see something, I need to snatch-and-grab it immediately or someone else will get it.  Then I'll have to trek to the Shaker Hts. or Cleveland Hts. garbage facility...not fun, but I'll do it!  Lastly, when I have the little ones, I need the car to take them home late a night if they don't spend the night at my house.

 

Mostly likely I'll end up buying something that my nephew (who will be 16 yo next year) can learn to drive in and use to run errands when I'm not in Cleveland.

"If I'm on the street and I see something, I need to snatch-and-grab it immediately or someone else will get it."

 

Again, if you would just quit being cheap and offer to buy them a drink - such antics wouldn't be necessary ;-)